PHOTO: 45962_36265.jpg Adirondack Lakes Alliance district map (Photo provided)

SCHROON LAKE — As new challenges appear on the horizon for Adirondack waterways, the Adirondack Lakes Alliance is building resources to help stewards throughout the park protect and manage their beloved lakes.

Following its annual symposium in June, the ALA welcomed a new board member, Mary Johnson, president and founder of Chateaugay Lake Foundation, bringing the board of directors to seven. The board appointed Rosalba Torre as Treasurer and Leonard “Lenny” Schantz as recording secretary. Scott Ireland will remain as executive director of the non-profit.

“Our lakes are threatened by invasive species, road salt and in some cases, over-development,” Ireland said. “The ALA is dedicated to making reliable information available and helping lake associations meet the challenges.”

The ALA is organized into five regions, A through E, each represented by a member of the board who is responsible for direct communication with members of the lake associations in each region.

Region A: the portions of Franklin and Clinton County inside the Blue Line — Mary Johnson

Region B: Essex County — Leigh Hornbeck

Region C: the portions of Warren, Washington and Saratoga county inside the Blue Line — Rosalba Torre

Region D: Hamilton County and the portion of Fulton County inside the Blue Line — Michele Curry

Region E: Portions of Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties — open

In addition, Nancy Mueller, CSLAP coordinator for the NYS Federation of Lake Associations, joins the board as a director at large.

In addition to the board of directors, the ALA also benefits from the guidance of an advisory board. Its members are Zoe Smith, vice president of strategic initiatives, Paul Smith’s College; Guy Middleton, executive director, Upper Saranac Foundation; Jane Smith, co-founder of ALA; Jackie Bowen, director of conservation for the Adirondack Council; Brendan Wiltse, executive director of the Lake George Association; Bill Farber, former Hamilton County board of supervisors chairman; and Assembly Member Matt Simpson, 114th Assembly District.

“I am delighted to announce this year’s team of board members and advisors,” Ireland said. “The experience and passion amongst the board will allow ALA to further spread our mission across the Park, and I am looking to work with the team to bring some great new ideas to our efforts.”

Members of a lake association or those interested in learning more about lake protection and management can email info@adirondacklakesalliance.org for more information.