The ARC is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institution, academic organization of people with personal and research interest in the Adirondack region. The ARC held its first organizational meeting in January, 1994 at Paul Smith's College. More than 30 individuals representing ten colleges and universities, government agencies, and private organizations enthusiastically endorsed forming an interdisciplinary, academic group committed to promoting and disseminating research and ideas on the many facets of the Adirondack region. The range of disciplines at the January meeting included geology, environmental economics, earth and environmental science, anthropology, archeology, meteorology, planning, ecotourism, cultural ecology, environmental justice, political science, rural sociology, humanities, and others. A Steering Committee convened in February, 1994 to develop a framework for the new society and plan the First General Meeting, held at Paul Smith's College on June 16-17, 1994.

Since that very cold day in January, the ARC has sponsored four conferences, started an electronic discussion forum Adiron-L, and promoted the development of the Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies. Paul Smith's College is hosting the 1998 annual conference, following a very successful planning session this November at the Hotel Saranac.