Adirondack environmental group receives huge donation

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June 30, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Tue Jun 30, 2009, 11:28 PM EDT

NISKAYUNA — The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks has received a gift of nearly $250,000, primarily intended to place the organization's endowment on a firmer footing.

"This is the largest single gift in our 108-year history," Charles M. Clusen, association president, said in a news release.

In addition to bolstering the association's endowment, the gift would facilitate the consolidation of the association with the Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks.

It will also help fund development of a comprehensive program that works with private landowners to foster long-term stewardship of the roughly 2 million acres of forests in the Adirondack Park.

The gift comes from the Johanson family, which has cared for and managed several thousand acres of forested lands in the Adirondacks since 1959.

"Our parents would be very pleased to see the establishment of this endowment fund because of their parents' interest in wise stewardship of forested lands, which we now wish to promote throughout the Adirondack Park," family spokesperson Eric Johanson said in a news release.

"My grandfather practiced stewardship in Sweden, and my father taught me these principles."

Members of the Johanson family have served as trustees of the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks since 2000.

"They are proud of their Adirondack forest holdings, which they manage sustainably for a variety of wildlife, watershed and recreational purposes, as well as for a source of income," Clusen said.

"With this gift, the Johansons have given us the opportunity to assist other landowners in their stewardship practices and to promote the long-term health and vitality of Adirondack forests and the regional economy."

The gift comes at a crucial time for the organization as it prepares to consolidate with the Residents Committee to create a new educational and advocacy organization.

Consolidation must await a formal vote by the two memberships and other legal requirements scheduled to take place over the summer.

Association Executive Director David Gibson said the Johansons "view consolidation of AFPA and RCPA as a way to be more efficient and effective in our work, to gain more members in the Adirondacks, communicate with more diverse stakeholders and to help ensure the integrity of the park's varied landscapes far into the future.

"The Johanson family intentionally timed this gift to our endowment to coincide with consolidation to show their support for the new organization and to encourage others to join us in this exciting venture."