As I approached retirement, I was looking for a way in which I could give back and be part of a team. About a year before retirement in 2021, the Forty-Sixers put a call for some help with bookkeeping and, as soon-to-retired Certified Public Accountant, I wondered if the Forty-Sixer organization could be the match for my post-retirement goals. Six years later, I’ll give it a 10 out of 10.

The Forty-Sixers are a self-funded, all-volunteer organization, with a mission of protection of the Adirondack wilderness area through trail work initiatives, education, highway litter removal, and programs with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Each year, our members spend thousands of volunteer hours supporting those activities. In the last two years, the in-kind value of that volunteering effort totals more than a HALF MILLION DOLLARS! That’s an unbelievable commitment of time and talent.

Additionally, many members make financial contributions to the Forty-Sixers which allows us to fund worthy projects such as the Summit Steward program and professional trail crew teams. Our monetary contributions total more than $1 million in the last 20 years!

I am thrilled and humbled to be part of team that shares a love of the Adirondacks and a desire to protect the region for future generations to enjoy. Thank you to all our volunteers and members that make this possible!
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Dave Pawlick