About the Common Ground Alliance

WHO WE ARE

The Adirondack Common Ground Alliance is a diverse network of dedicated people who focus on addressing issues that affect the Adirondack Park, its communities, institutions, and individuals. We are students, educators, business owners, community leaders, visitors, residents and other stakeholders who want to make the Park a better place to live, work and play. The Alliance promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, transparency, candor and trust to guide open discussions and foster productive dialogue across the Park. 

The Alliance recognizes that this is a lived-in park, with more than 100 small communities, as well as the largest collection of protected wild lands and waters in the contiguous United States. Because of its size – the park covers all or part of 92 towns and 12 counties – there is no one government entity designed to represent the park’s interests. 

The Alliance was created in 2007 to give voice to a common agenda through development of an annual Blueprint for the Blue Line (the blue line is the park’s boundary). We support the twin goals of environmental quality and economic vitality, with the hope of making the park and its communities sustainable for generations to come. All are welcome. Our financial support comes from donors and institutions who want to see the Alliance’s work succeed, view our sponsors here.

WHAT WE DO

Each summer the Common Ground Alliance holds a Common Ground Forum attracting hundreds of participants who work as equals to identify and resolve issues of common concern. The result is a focused, annual action plan called Blueprint for the Blue Line, developed from the discussions at the Forum. The blueprint is a set of recommendations for state Legislators and agencies to improve park management and the quality of life for residents and visitors. Participating organizations and local government leaders then use the blueprint to guide their interactions with state Legislators and the Governor.