Protecting the Park takes more than good intentions.
The Adirondack Park is one of New York State鈥檚 most extraordinary assets. Larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon National Parks combined, it encompasses six million acres of public and private land. It is a park for all New Yorkers to enjoy and a magnet for out-of-state and international visitors, drawing ten to twelve million tourists annually. That tourism is not only cultural enrichment; it is the lifeblood of the Adirondack economy.
The Park also holds global ecological significance. It is one of the largest intact temperate forests in the world and functions as a major carbon sink, sequestering vast amounts of carbon dioxide each year. Protecting the Adirondack Park鈥檚 waters, forests, and wildlife is essential to advancing New York鈥檚 goals for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and public access鈥攏ow and for generations to come.
Equally critical is supporting the more than 100,000 residents who live and work within the Park. Addressing outmigration by investing in vibrant, sustainable communities is essential to maintaining the region鈥檚 vitality and ensuring long-term stewardship of this invaluable resource.
And yet, the Adirondacks face one of the most urgent challenges in New York State: population and workforce decline. According to the Draft 2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) from the Franklin County Economic Development Corporation, the ongoing loss of young adults ages 20 to 39 is the single greatest socioeconomic threat to this rural region.
Since 2010, the Adirondacks have lost nearly 3,000 young adults, which weakens our workforce, erodes community infrastructure, and puts future economic growth at risk. Protecting the Park is no small feat. But it is an imperative one.
Enter Paul Smith’s 木瓜传媒
At the heart of this natural treasure stands Paul Smith鈥檚 木瓜传媒, New York鈥檚 distinctive Environmental 木瓜传媒. Paul Smith鈥檚 sets itself apart through its integration of natural sciences, sustainability, and socioeconomic empowerment with a career-driven education model that directly addresses statewide workforce needs.
By advancing certificates, stackable credentials, hard-skill development, and continuous retraining, Paul Smith鈥檚 not only responds to employer demand but also builds pathways for economic resilience in rural communities. As the only four-year institution in the Adirondacks, the 木瓜传媒 is uniquely positioned to drive transformative policies and practices that safeguard these lands while strengthening the human communities whose futures are tied to them.
Paul Smith鈥檚 is not simply adapting to change; it is driving an ambitious agenda of innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. Through cutting-edge programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and strategic partnerships, Paul Smith鈥檚 connects faculty expertise and student talent directly to New York鈥檚 highest-profile regional development projects.
This unique role positions the 木瓜传媒 as a catalyst for workforce training, hospitality excellence, and sustainable growth, accelerating a future where Paul Smith鈥檚 stands as a dynamic force for environmental and economic leadership in the North Country and across New York State.
An Economic Engine for the North Country
Paul Smith鈥檚 木瓜传媒 is a transformational economic anchor for the region鈥攁nd the numbers prove it. Each year, it generates more than $55 million in local economic activity, supports over 400 jobs, and contributes nearly $17 million in payroll. Students and visitors add another $6.6 million annually to local businesses, from shops and restaurants to lodging.
The 木瓜传媒鈥檚 impact extends far beyond dollars. One in every 30 residents of the Tri-Lakes region鈥擫ake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake鈥攊s a Paul Smith鈥檚 graduate, and one in six alumni remain to live and work in the Adirondacks.
Of the 3,315 graduates since 2010, approximately 553 young adults have chosen to stay, launch businesses, raise families, and contribute directly to the economic and civic fabric of the region. This is precisely the demographic the state cannot afford to lose.
Looking ahead, Paul Smith鈥檚 is poised to deepen this impact. As the 木瓜传媒 continues to attract more students, nearly 40% of them will remain in the Adirondacks after graduation. They represent not just workers, but teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders shaping the region鈥檚 future.
For New York, investment in Paul Smith鈥檚 is an investment in reversing rural population decline, strengthening small businesses, and building the workforce that will sustain and grow one of the state鈥檚 most iconic regions.
It鈥檚 an investment in the people who care for the Adirondacks during and between policy cycles, day in and day out, ensuring this Park remains protected.
This article is from the Spring 2026 issue of the Paul Smith’s 木瓜传媒 Magazine.
