ADKX Announces the 2023 Harold K. Hochschild Award Recipient - Conservationist and Philanthropist Edward W. McNeil

The Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX) will be celebrating their annual Benefit Gala & Harold K. Hochschild Award ceremony on Saturday, July 29 from 6pm to 9pm, under the stars at their museum in the heart of the Adirondacks. This yearly celebration and fundraiser highlights the organization’s accomplishments and achievements, as well as honors the Harold K. Hochschild Award recipient. This award, given annually to a different recipient, is dedicated to the memory of the museum’s founder, whose passion for the Adirondacks, its people, and environment inspired him to create the museum and establish the Adirondack Park Agency (APA). The 2023 award recipient is conservationist and philanthropist Edward McNeil.

Mr. McNeil is an avid explorer, videographer, and philanthropist, devoted to wildlands science and the Adirondacks. Over the past 30 years, he has devoted his life to conservation and deepening our understanding of conservation science through his leadership and collaboration with many Adirondack- organizations.

McNeil served on the boards for Adirondack Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) from 1990 – 2014 and served as board chair from 1994 – 2001. Under his leadership, the Adirondack Chapter went through an extensive strategic planning process, developed an effective committee structure, and launched the Chapter’s first capital campaign, laying the groundwork for significant land acquisitions and successful outcomes. McNeil enjoyed offering seaplane rides to TNC staff and donors, so they could observe land projects in the Adirondacks. This led to a partnership with Charlie Canham, an ecologist who was studying freshwater lakes in the Adirondacks. In order to better support this project, McNeil built a twin engine floatplane powerful enough to land on more inaccessible lakes. He transported Mr. Canham to 520 Adirondack lakes through two summers of detailed research, which culminated in a critically important analysis of Adirondack lake chemistry.

McNeil’s long-time interest in photography and flying evolved into videography from the air. He began videotaping Finch Pruyn property assisting TNC staff in understanding and promoting the importance of protecting this land. Through this work, McNeil built a relationship with Jerry Jenkins, renowned Adirondack botanist and recipient of the Hochschild Award in 2011. In 2012, Ed and Jerry founded the Northern Forest Atlas Project, which aims to produce graphic tools for naturalists and ecologists. Using his floatplane with mounted cameras and drones, Ed has shared 60 videos of Adirondack landscapes on the Atlas Project’s website, to accompany Jerry Jenkin’s eight publications and 40,000 images and diagrams for public use. His unrelenting drive and determination along with his generosity and proven leadership has made lasting positive change throughout the Adirondack Park.

About Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX), accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, shares the history and culture of the Adirondack region through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and culturally rich collections in more than 24 historic and contemporary buildings on a 121-acre campus in the heart of the Adirondacks. The ADKX offers a broad range of programs and activities including special and permanent exhibitions, the 19,000-square-foot Life in the Adirondacks interactive exhibition, and an outdoor hiking and boating experience on Minnow Pond. ADKX offers daily activities with artisans-in-residence, workshops, lectures, nature walks, family and educational programs, and signature events like the Rustic Furniture Fair, FallFest, and the Adirondack Artisan Festival. The museum is supported in part with donations from the general public, with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. For additional information, call 518-352-7311 or visit www.theADKX.org.