Lake George, NY, Feb 25, 2013 — State Environment Commissioner Joe Martens was in in the North Country on Friday, unveiling $250,000 in new funds to help stop invasive species from reaching Lake George.

The money will go to help a local coalition pay for boat washing and inspection stations around the lake.

"We were able to tease out $250,000 extra for Lake George," Martens said.

"Depending on what the outcome is of this last fall's and next spring's program on the lake, we'll go back and see if we can't dedicate more funds to it."  Go to full article

Feb 22, 2012 — This winter, one of the best places in the North Country to ski has been the trail to Santanoni Great Camp in the Essex County town of Newcomb.

In part, that's because the old road to the camp has enough snow to make skiing possible.

But the restored buildings of Santanoni also offer one of the most fascinating glimpses of the Adirondacks as they existed during the gilded age, when the North Country was a retreat for the rich and powerful.

This week, Brian Mann joined a ski tour of the great camp, organized by the coalition that has spent more than a decade stabilizing and restoring the historic site.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Mar 16, 2011 — The former chairman of the New York State's Republican Party is taking the helm of the state Olympic Regional Development Authority. Pat Barrett sat in as chair of ORDA's board of directors during their meeting on Tuesday. According to the Albany Times Union, Governor Andrew Cuomo plans to name Barrett to fill the post permanently. Chris Morris has details.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jan 05, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo has named a top conservationist with deep ties in the North Country to head the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Joe Martens is president of the Open Space Institute, which has brokered some of the biggest land preservation deals in the Adirondack Park.

Martens is also head of the state's Olympic Regional Development Authority's board of directors - helping to operate sports venues in Lake Placid, Johnsburgh, and Wilmington.

As Brian Mann reports, Martens' nomination is drawing praise from across the political spectrum.  Go to full article

May 13, 2010 — The Open Space Institute has helped to engineer some of the most important land conservation deals in the Adirondack Park over the last decade.

OSI financed the Tahawus purchase, which protected parts of the southern High Peaks. The group also helped fund the massive Finch, Pruyn deal worth more than $110 million.

But OSI executive director Joe Martens, who also heads the Olympic Regional Development Authority board, says the fiscal crisis in Albany is changing the rules for how the Park should be managed. Martens spoke in depth with NCPR's Adirondack bureau chief, Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Jul 06, 2007 — If Joe Martens is confirmed as chairman of ORDA, he'll also keep his other job as head of the Open Space Institute. The non-profit organization works to protect natural spaces, arranging land purchases by governments and by other green groups. OSI spearheaded the purchase of the Tahawus lands near the High Peaks and helped to finance the recent Finch Pruyn deal. Martens spoke with Brian Mann about his interest in heading the Olympic Regional Development Authority and his approach to balancing the economy and the environment.  Go to full article

Mar 08, 2007 — If Joe Martens is confirmed as chairman of ORDA, he'll also keep his other job as head of the Open Space Institute. The non-profit organization works to protect natural spaces, arranging land purchases by governments and by other green groups. OSI spearheaded the purchase of the Tahawus lands near the High Peaks and helped to finance the recent Finch Pruyn deal. Martens spoke with Brian Mann about his interest in heading the Olympic Regional Development Authority and his approach to balancing the economy and the environment.  Go to full article