MAINTAIN THE CHAIN
An annual volunteer event comprised of self-directed, environmentally-focused improvement projects dedicated to
preserving the beautiful lakes and watershed of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
Isabella and Nolan Boon began sprucing up the area around their Fourth Lake camp more than a decade ago. What began as a family tradition has evolved into a widespread clean-up event dubbed Maintain the Chain (MTC). The event focuses on preserving the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the entire Adirondack Park. Join us for this summer's MTC event & start your family tradition today!
The 2nd annual FREE EcoArts Festival at View in Old Forge will be held Saturday, August 3rd from 10am - 2pm.
Art meets Science at our 2024 EcoArts Festival to launch the Maintain the Chain Event. This family friendly event includes ecology-themed craft projects and booths from conservation organizations including representatives from the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association, Adirondack Council, Adirondack Watershed Institute, ADK Action, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, NY Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Raquette Lake Preservation Foundation, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, LivingADK, and the Champlain Adirondack Biosphere Network. Representatives will share their expertise with festival attendees. We are also thrilled to have Bernadette Hoffman and Max, the Canada Lynx attend the EcoArts Festival once again this year!
Join us August 3-11, 2024 for the 4th annual MTC event and help protect the ADK!!! Registration is now open!
Free MTC baseball hats for participants who complete self-directed environmentally focused improvement projects.
Interested in participating in the MTC event? Visit our resource page to plan your self-directed, environmentally-focused MTC project now! Not in the ADK during the event. No problem! Complete a self-directed project when it is convenient for you!
We hope this video inspires you to register for the 4th Annual Maintain the Chain Event. We need your help and support to accomplish our mission to Maintain the Chain!
MTC and View present a FREE educational lecture series this July at View Arts Center. Featured speakers include Charlie Reinertson, Tommy Detmer, and Mark Manske. Visit MTC 2024 Event for additional details.
Congratulations to the Winners of the 2023 MTC "Best Project" Award
The Adams Family collected nearly 20 bags of trash on Hackensack Mountain near Warrensburg, NY, for their self-directed MTC project. They even brought home two tires to upcycle! We are grateful for their hard work and support. We are also excited to have volunteers from all over the Adirondack Park participate this year. Thank you to all of our 2023 MTC participants!
2023 MTC Participants and Self-Directed Improvement Projects
MTC participants conducted various environmentally focused self-directed improvement projects, including lake-bottom, trail, and roadside clean-up; planted pollinator gardens; created rain gardens; and measured water quality using Secchi disks. Additional photos can be found on our MTC 2023 Event page.
Secchi Disks - 2023 MTC Results
Water clarity is an indicator of the impact of human activity on our lakes. If water clarity is measured throughout the season and from year to year, trends in water clarity can be observed. Diminishing water clarity can signal an early warning sign that human activity is negatively impacting the health of our lakes. MTC 2023 self-directed projects included obtaining water clarity measurements along the Fulton Chain of Lakes using Secchi disks created for our participants to share. View the measurements obtained by our participants on the map below. Read a short report summarizing our 2023 participants' Secchi disk results and a spreadsheet that reviews the analyzed data.
Adirondack Water Week
The weeklong regional event is a collaborative celebration of our freshwater resources and precious watersheds. It is meant to raise awareness of water-related issues, recognize the value of water to our region's economy and environment, and highlight ways that people can protect our waterways. MTC is thrilled to partner with AWI to help protect the lakes and watershed of the ADK park.
The Adirondack Council, founded in 1975, is committed to protecting the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. MTC is grateful and proud to partner alongside the Adirondack Council in our mission to preserve the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the Adirondack Park.
Leave No Trace
MTC is a proud partner of Leave No Trace (LNT). The Seven Principles of LNT provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors.
By clicking the donate button, you will be redirected to the LivingADK website. Follow the instructions to donate and THANK YOU for your support! Please visit our MTC Donation page for additional information, as well.
Stay informed! Read the latest "Headlines from Around the Park."
Be prepared! Check out the weather before venturing out on the lake, on a hike or to complete an MTC self-directed project.
The FCLA was founded in 1968 with a mission to protect the waters of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in New York's Central Adirondacks.
MTC was founded by the Boon family and members of the FCLA in 2021 with the goal of engaging the community in an effort to protect the lakes and watershed of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in New York's Adirondack Park.
Fulton Chain of Lakes Association membership.
Sponsors, Supporters, and Endorsers of the Maintain the Chain Event
Fulton Chain of Lakes Association
Town of Webb
Town of Inlet
Adirondack Council
Adirondack Watershed Institute (of Paul Smith’s College)
Sixth and Seventh Lakes Improvement Association