No two Friends groups are exactly alike, but there’s a lot they can learn from each other.

That was one of the clearest takeaways from this year’s Friends Gathering in Lake George, where Friends Groups from across the state came together to share ideas, compare notes, and talk about the work of supporting New York’s public lands.

Over two days, Power of Partnerships brought together Friends group leaders and volunteers, public land managers, nonprofit partners, and advocates for conversations about volunteer engagement, accessibility to organizational growth, community connections and more. 

Learning from each other

The conference program covered topics including volunteer engagement, sensory-inclusive programming, organizational development, community resilience, Indigenous history, outdoor education, and the transition from an all-volunteer organization to a staffed nonprofit.

Peer circles gave Friends groups a chance to talk with others facing similar questions and challenges. How do you keep volunteers engaged? How do you grow an organization without losing what makes it special? How can Friends groups and public land agencies work together effectively?

There isn’t one answer to any of those questions, and that’s part of the value of bringing everyone together. A strategy that worked for one organization might spark an idea for another. A challenge that felt unique might turn out to be something several groups are working through.

Getting outside in Lake George

We also made sure to get out of the conference room. Field trips took participants to Lake George Battlefield Park, Moreau Lake State Park, Fort William Henry, and the Warren County Bikeway. Along the way, attendees had a chance to explore the region, see different approaches to stewardship, and keep the conversation going outside the formal sessions.

Celebrating 10 years of Park and Trail Partnership Grants

This year’s conference also marked 10 years of completed projects through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant program.

Since the program launched in 2015, more than $12 million has been awarded to more than 90 Friends groups across New York. Those grants have supported projects that improve trails and facilities, strengthen stewardship, expand access, enhance visitor experiences, and build the capacity of Friends organizations.

We marked the milestone with an awards ceremony and the unveiling of a Park and Trail Partnership Time Capsule, bringing together stories and artifacts from the program’s first decade.

It was a chance to look back at what Friends groups have accomplished and at the people and partnerships behind those accomplishments.

What happens next

A conference ends when everyone heads home, but ideally the conversations don’t. The connections made at the Friends Conference can lead to a new idea, a shared solution, a future collaboration, or even just a phone call to someone you can trust,

That’s the value of the Friends network. New York’s public lands are different from one community to the next, but the people who support them have a lot in common.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in Lake George and made time for the conversations that make gatherings like this so important.