Be-Forrest Too Late: Management Option for Reducing the Impact of Recreation in the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Complex  

Greta Binzen, Colin Cameron, and Sam Vogel

Our research investigated preferences regarding management techniques for addressing high-use in the High Peaks Wilderness Complex (HPWC) in the Adirondacks. Data was gathered from 1200 public online surveys, semi-structured interviews with NGOs and community influentials, and archival analysis. Members of the public and NGOs strongly supported passive management such as increased funding, enhanced education, and trail reconstruction. Similarly, both groups were split in support for more direct management techniques.

Paper is not available. For information, please contact the ESS Program Director.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Shifts in Civic Engagement for the City of Saratoga Springs

Carol Hu and Allison Parra

Changing rates of civic engagement since the 2016 elections have been examined broadly by researchers across the country, but no such research has yet been conducted for the City of Saratoga Springs. Our results showed that overall, civic engagement among both Democrats and Republicans has increased, with social media strategically utilized among NGOs for organizational and communications purposes. Our findings and recommendations address outreach strategies, education, and fundraising.

Growing, Growing, Gone: Identifying Alternative Markets for Surplus and Seconds Produce to Serve Low-Income Consumers in Saratoga County

Sydney Gellerman, Linnea Harris, Charlotte Hood, and Malcolm Kaletsch

The purpose of this research was to estimate the level of surplus on small-sized farms in the Capital Region and find markets for this surplus to serve low-income consumers in Saratoga County. Significant food is left either unharvested or unsold on regional farms while many residents of Saratoga County experience low food security. Both of these issues could be alleviated by providing farms with the resources needed to cost-effectively harvest and distribute surplus to serve those in need.

25 by 25: An Action Plan for Achieving 25% Sustainable Food Procurement at Skidmore College by 2025

Isabel Blumenthal and Fin Tevlin

Skidmore has committed to 25% sustainable food procurement by 2025. Progress has been made towards this goal but significant work remains, and achievement will require increased expenditure. We assembled a portfolio of projects that address this goal and assessed their feasibility. Together, these projects could account for the increased sustainable food expenditure. Moreover, they support sustainable local food, increase educational opportunities on campus, reduce environmental impact, and solidify institutional purchasing commitments.

Bright Lights and Charged Cars: Improving Energy Efficiency in Saratoga Springs

Martha Belshaw, Michaela Bonforte, and Nick DeBlasio

Saratoga Springs has been a Climate Smart Community engaged in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience since 2011, but there is room for improvement in the city’s energy efficiency sector. The implementation of LED lighting in both City building indoor lights and historic street lights, as well as the installation of new EV charging stations, will increase the energy efficiency and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of Saratoga Springs, while expanding the sustainability portfolio of the City.

Is Skidmore Carbo Loading?  Establishing a Baseline Carbon Inventory of Skidmore’s Northern Lands

Robbie Heumann, Sofia Jenssen, and James Lytton

We set out to establish a baseline carbon inventory of Skidmore's unmanaged forested lands, 60 of which have been logged, in Stables, Kellogg, Homestead, and Compost parcels. We sampled aboveground (trees, deadwood, and leaf litter) and belowground carbon (soil 0-10cm & soil 10-20cm in 42 15m-radius plots throughout the parcels. We found that Stables and Kellogg held carbon densities above a baseline of common practice for the area, indicating the viability of a carbon sequestration project to reduce Skidmore's greenhouse gas emissions.

From Rooves to Rivers: Moving the Needle on Skidmore’s Energy Goals

Garrett Flanagan, Phoebe Martell-Crawford, and Brad Sachs

Skidmore College has committed itself to reaching 60% of electricity from renewable sources and a 75% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025. Skidmore is currently at 40% for each of these goals. We propose four projects (solar on campus, community shared solar, alternative student housing, and hydropower), which, if implemented, would increase our share of electricity from renewable sources to 51.2% and reduce our GHG emissions by 5.2%. Engagement from students and community members would also increase.