March 17, 2022 2021 Annual Report

Click above to view our 2021 Annual Report digitally. This Report covers the LGLC’s activities in the 2021 Calendar Year, and financials for the 2021 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2020 – June 31, 2021).

Introduction from the President:

Dear Friends, Supporters and Staff,

This 2021 Annual Report of the Land George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is dedicated to you. Because of you, we successfully accomplished our mission of protecting the land that protects the Lake. Like last year, commentary covers calendar year 2021, but formal financial statement reporting is for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021).

We are “the land people” and therefore different from our other Lake partners. The LGLC permanently protects undeveloped property ensuring only clean pure water from it enters the Lake, preventing water quality problems. In 2021, the LGLC permanently protected three large properties in three different sections of the Lake; we offer special thanks to those landowners for working with us to keep Lake George’s water pure.

We ended the year in very strong financial condition. Our $25+ million balance sheet includes significant liquidity, land, two well-performing endowments, and no debt. Financial flexibility allows us to take on the largest single investment in our history, Clark Hollow Bay. You will be hearing a lot more about this $5 million plus project in 2022.
Our staff performed admirably. They are recognized experts on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Lake George basin. Closely working with partners, we treated HWA-infected trees on Dome Island and NY State land near Paradise Bay. Sarah Hoffman and Alex Novick received the prestigious 2021 “Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award” from the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. Congratulations, Sarah and Alex.

The LGLC’s Executive Director Jamie Brown decided to depart midway through 2021. Jamie did an outstanding job leading us for over six years; his many projects spanned all parts of the Lake and will positively impact water quality forever. Thank you, Jamie. I want to offer special recognition to Jeff Brozyna, long-tenured Board Member and VP of Development. Jeff took on the full-time job of Interim Executive Director for the final three months of 2021. Thank you, Jeff! Our new Executive Director, Michael Horn, started with us January 1, 2022. Mike brings a wealth of management, technical and land protection experience to help lead us forward. Welcome to the Lake George Land Conservancy, Mike.

In closing, I want to thank all our supporters; you enabled us to accomplish so much.

Very best wishes,

Michael O’Reilly, President, LGLC Board of Directors

Introduction from the Executive Director:

Greetings,

I am honored to have joined the Lake George Land Conservancy as Executive Director at the start of 2022. I would like to share some thoughts on what inspired me to join the LGLC.

If you are reading this, you already know the draw of Lake George. The unsurpassed beauty of the Lake and its surrounding landscape speaks for itself. Throughout the interview process and since beginning work I have been struck by the passion people carry for this place. I have heard of cherished memories with family and friends, and recreational pursuits such as hiking, paddling, cross-country skiing, ice skating, boating, fishing, and so much more. Some live for the summer, while others enjoy the calm that comes with autumn or the stillness of winter. The common thread is the magical nature of Lake George. It is a joy and a privilege to do work that will have a permanent benefit in protecting this iconic place.

Of course, no individual can do such work on their own. The LGLC is a community of people who feel a calling to preserve this special place, and more importantly answer that call with action. We are lucky to have a dedicated and well-tenured staff, each of them an expert in their field. The generosity of our donors and their passion for our mission is inspiring. Our directors put in countless hours to shepherd the organization forward. Volunteers take on trail maintenance, search for invasive species, lead hikes, plan events and more. I feel quite fortunate to join this dynamic group of people that works together to accomplish great things.

I have been thoroughly impressed with the success of the LGLC over the years. The organization has a strong professional reputation and solid financial footing. This is a great time to be joining. Opportunities abound to fulfill our mission in meaningful ways. Innovative conservation solutions and expanded partnerships will help us protect more land, ensure healthy forests and wetlands through professional stewardship, and engage people on our lands to foster their love of nature. I humbly hope that I can help build upon this success.

Our 2021 Annual Report perfectly captures all the above. Congratulations on a great year! I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together going forward.

Warm regards,

Michael Horn, LGLC Executive Director