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 and Adirondack Park.
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 community event consisting of environmentally-focused improvement projects known as Maintain the Chain (MTC). The event focuses on preserving the watershed and lakes of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and Adirondack Park. Support MTC events & start your family tradition today!
We’re excited to announce the 1st speaker for our 2025 FREE Summer MTC Educational Lecture Series at View Arts Center! Denise Silfee, Education and Communications Director at the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation will join us in July to share valuable insights on how we can protect our iconic loons. Details to follow!
Old Forge Garden Club representatives will join us this summer for our free EcoArts Festival at View in Old Forge. Learn how gardening can nurture ourselves and the environment around us!
Winners of the 2024 MTC "Best Project" Award!!!
Congratulations to the Mayer/Cattat Family for winning the 2024 MTC "Best Project" award! They read books from the Old Forge Library, educating themselves & others about the Adirondack Park, its conservation efforts, & effects of climate change on the local environment - a wonderful self-directed, environmentally-focused improvement project! Thank you for supporting MTC and for your efforts!
Thank you to all of our participants for making the 2024 MTC event a huge success! Sixty teams and over 210 people participated in the event this year - our best year ever!!!
The 2nd annual FREE EcoArts Festival at View in Old Forge was a hit!
Thank you to representatives from the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association, Adirondack Council, Adirondack Watershed Institute, ADK Action, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Hamilton County NY Soil and Water Conservation District, Raquette Lake Preservation Foundation, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, LivingADK, Town of Webb, and the Champlain Adirondack Biosphere Network for sharing your expertise with our attendees. Thank you, Bernadette Hoffman and Max, the Canada Lynx, for joining us again this year!
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 and to see if you qualify for a free T-shirt or baseball cap with your donation.
Secchi Disk Readings - 2024 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 participants obtained water clarity measurements along the Fulton Chain of Lakes using Secchi disks. View the measurements obtained by our participants on the map below. Read a short report summarizing our 2024 participants' Secchi disk results.
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.
Stay informed!
Learn about ADK events and read the latest news from prestigious ADK news outlets by visiting "Headlines from Around the Park."
We aim to disseminate important ADK Park information to our website visitors. We do not claim these articles to be our own.
Weather Updates
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