Self-Directed Improvement Projects

What are Environmentally Focused Self-Directed Improvement Projects?

• You decide on a project for the MTC event.  

• Choose a project that is important to you. No project is too small or too insignificant!

• The project can be an individual or a team effort with an environmental focus.

  • Remove litter and debris from the shoreline or lake bottom.

  • Collect trash from roadsides, campsites, or hiking trails.

  • Visit an Adirondack Watershed Institute steward. Observe and learn about controlling the spread of aquatic and terrestrial species that threaten our lakes and land.

  • Learn about the dangers of harmful algal blooms (HABs).

  • Plant native flowers to protect our pollinators.

  • Let a portion of your lawn go wild!

  • Plant a tree.

  • Create a rain barrel or a rain chain.

  • Build a rain garden.

  • Assess water clarity using a Secchi disk.

  • Educate yourself and others on threats to ADK wildlife. 

  • Learn how to protect our iconic loons.

  • Create a poster or video to educate yourself or others about an environmental issue. 

  • Create a poster or video demonstrating why you "Love the Lakes". 

  • Draw a picture of your favorite Adirondack wildlife (see photo below).

  • Visit the Old Forge Library and read about protecting our lakes. The Fulton Chain of Lakes Association (FCLA) generously donated funds to the Old Forge Library in 2021. The library used the funds to purchase books to educate children about our lakes and the environment. 

• See photos of our 2021, 2022, and 2023 MTC participants for project ideas.

• Read our informative Resource Material for planning your self-directed project.

• Not in the Adirondacks during the MTC event. You can still participate. Complete a self-directed project anytime during the summer when convenient for you. Email us photos of your projects!

• Don't live close to the Fulton Chain of Lakes. You can still participate. MTC is meant to benefit the entire Adirondack Park. Feel free to conduct your self-directed, environmentally-focused project anywhere in the Adirondack Park.