Kristel Guimara Hello everyone and welcome! My name is Kristel Guimara and I currently live in the beautiful northern Adirondacks. I have my Bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science from Paul Smith's College located in Paul Smith's NY. Currently, I am in my second year of graduate school pursuing my Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from Green Mountain College in Poultney VT. I am currently researching the effects of black carbon concentration in the Adirondack snowpack which will be compared to samples taken in the Arctic Regions. This I hope will continue beyond my thesis requirement.
Jason Smith Hello, my name is Jason Smith and I am a native of the southeastern Adirondacks. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science with concentrations in Aquatic Biology and Geosciences from SUNY Fredonia in western New York. I am currently a Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. I have a strong background in invasive species remediation, environmental outreach and education, and natural resource management.
I was blessed to grow up in the Adirondacks and have the opportunity to enjoy this unique region in all four seasons. Along with my interests in fly fishing, canoeing, camping, biking, skiing, and running, I am also an avid winter climber. I am currently working towards achieving my winter 46-er, and hope to be finished in the next few years. With my diverse set of interests and my background in environmental sciences I hope to bring the readers a broad range of inspiring topics that are sure to get the conversation flowing. Expect to read everything from tips and tricks to make your commute more sustainable, to ways you can manage your land for wildlife habitat.
Jillian Trunko Jillian Trunko is an upstate New York native who has worked in the Adirondacks the past two years as an environmental educator. Working in the Adirondacks and teaching others about all of the aspects to its beauty has furthered her appreciation for the area.
I begin to pull several books off the shelf that have waited ever so patiently for my attention. I often find myself initially grabbing old time childhood favorites such as; Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery series. Other times I look to books that have continuously inspired me such as Walden and Civil Disobedience by Thoreau and Aldo Leopold by Thomas Tanner. Sometimes I look to local authors, present and past, who have knowledge of the Adirondacks such as; Woodswoman series by Anne LaBastille; Adirondack Short Stories by Jack Woods; Actively Adirondack by Randy Lewis and Over the Mountain and Home Again by Edward Kanze.
To spend the day engulfed in a book is like meeting new or old friends, over and over again. Hiding away in the comfort of my cabin, with the company of a book, aids me to not think about the erratic weather that has crossed the landscape. I can travel the world with a flip of a page and relive an adventure through the eyes of a new found friend.
So as the weather keeps us from playing outdoors, share what you read during this winter season. What is your go-to book for the days when the weather is less than inviting?
If I find myself with a lot of time, nothing beats The Count of Monte Cristo for storyline. If I really need to escape then its the fantasy The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.
Now to be completely biased I would recommend the Images of America books by Donald Williams for a little Adirondack inspiration and (literal) look at the past.