The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) is working with the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) at Paul Smith’s College to promote free Lake Wise assessments for lakeshore property owners throughout the Saranac watershed.
Lake Wise is a voluntary, non-regulatory program that helps landowners protect water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and increase resilience to flooding. Through a personalized property assessment, participants receive practical recommendations tailored to their shoreline and property conditions. Eligible properties may also earn recognition as a certified Lake Wise property.
Healthy lakes depend on healthy shorelines. Shoreline development, loss of native vegetation, erosion, and stormwater runoff can all affect water quality and aquatic habitat. The good news is that even small changes on individual properties can have a meaningful impact on the health of a lake and the broader watershed.
Lake Wise helps landowners better understand the land they steward and identify opportunities to improve shoreline health while protecting their investment. Whether you are interested in enhancing wildlife habitat, addressing erosion concerns, increasing flood resilience, or simply learning more about your property, the program provides valuable guidance and practical solutions.
By working one-on-one with lakeshore property owners, AWI helps foster a culture of stewardship that benefits individual properties, local communities, and future generations. Together, these efforts help protect clean water, healthy shorelines, and the natural beauty that make Adirondack lakes so special.
To learn more about the program, visit the Lake Wise page on the AWI website or send an email with the subject line “Lake Wise Request” to info@adkwatershed.org.