Pictured, from left, are Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages President Matthew Simpson, Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board Executive Director Gerald Delaney, NYS Department of State Deputy Secretary of Local Government Mark Pattison, Division Director Division of Forest Protection Eric Lahr, Region Five Captain John Streiff, Senior Policy Advisory for the Environment Megan Philips, APA Executive Director Terry Martino, APA Counsel Christopher Cooper, APA Acting Chair Karen Feldman, Assemblyman Dan Stec, Hamilton County Chairman William Farber. (Provided photo — Adirondack Park Agency)

LAKE PLACID — State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers were given an award last week during the Adirondack Park Agency’s Local Government Day in Lake Placid.

The Local Government Day award is presented annually to people or organizations that make a difference in the Adirondack Park, and rangers as a whole were presented the award on April 4.

“These brave men and women safeguard the state’s wildlands and waters, as well as the millions of people who use them annually,” the award said. “Since the establishment of the Forest Preserve in 1885, forest rangers have served as wildland firefighters, wilderness first responders, and protectors of state lands.

“On a local level, forest rangers are an integral component of emergency services and public outreach. They provide invaluable training to local volunteers for wilderness first aid, search and rescue, and wildland fire management. Our forest rangers are highly respected community members who teach citizens to avoid life-threatening situations, while promoting natural resource protection.”

The award is given out by the APA, the Local Government Review Board and the Adirondack Association of towns and villages.