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Lecture Series

The ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB (ADK) offers a wide variety of educational and cultural topics intended to increase awareness and appreciation of the environment, including presentations on natural history, backcountry recreation, and Adirondack art, music, and history for your enjoyment.

Many thanks to Stewart's Shops based in Saratoga Springs, New York, for sponsoring ADK's Lecture Series and exhibits. Stewart’s has been a generous supporter of ADK’s educational efforts since 1986.

More Information:

High Peaks Information Center (HPIC) Lecture Series, Heart Lake Program Center, Lake Placid

The ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB (ADK) offers presentations on natural history, backcountry recreation, and Adirondack art, music, and history for your enjoyment.
These programs take place on Saturday evenings at 8 PM in the High Peaks Information Center (HPIC) at the end of the Adirondak Loj Road, located eight miles outside of Lake Placid, NY. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call 518-523-3480 ext. 20.  Directions to Heart Lake

May 16

Spring Wildflowers

Trilliums, Bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and much more. Naturalist Ruth Schottman, author of Trailside Notes, will take us on a photographic journey through spring with stories of spring flora, plant adaptations, relationships, and uses. A must-see presentation for wildflower enthusiasts and an inspiration for beginners at this time of year.

May 23  

Backcountry Travel & Preparation

Retired New York State Forest Ranger Pete Fish will give a program on how to travel safely in the backcountry. Mr. Fish served as a ranger in the High Peaks Wilderness for 23 years and worked in the Catskills as a ranger for 6 years prior to that. Come and learn the essentials needed to be prepared for any situation that may arise in the backcountry.

May 30

Music with Mike Borst

Mike Borst plays and sings a wide range of music covering many styles and eras with his acoustic guitar. You name it he can probably play it.

June 6                                                            

Geology of the Adirondacks

Matt Maloney. This presentation, with many photos, will give a comprehensive and wide ranging overview of the geologic history of the Adirondacks and northern New York. Starting over a billion years ago when the bedrock was first crystallized miles beneath the earth to the current time, attendees will be immersed in the region’s dramatic and mysterious past.

June 13

Moth Madness!

Moth expert Lydia Wright has worked with and observed moths for many years. She will present a program with photos of our most spectacular moths, the large and brilliant Giant Silk Moths, as well as shedding light on the mysterious and nocturnal habits of moths. Did you know some moths don’t even emerge till after 3 AM! Later that evening Lydia will lead a nighttime moth observation program near Heart Lake.

June 20

Why Are the Adirondacks Rising?

According to geologists, the bedrock in the Adirondack Park started rising about 10 million years ago. Unlike the Appalachian mountains to the east and south though, the reason for this rising isn’t well understood and is much more recent. Mary Roden-Tice, a SUNY Plattsburgh geology professor, will shed some light on this mystery during her presentation.

June 27

Bears of the High Peaks

DEC Wildlife Biologist Ben Tabor will discuss the biology of our native black bears and their habits. He will also present on the latest research on and strategies for avoiding potentially dangerous human-bear encounters in the busy High Peaks Wilderness. Learn what you can do to help keep bears wild and away from campers while gaining insight into the DEC’s ongoing High Peaks Bear Project.

July 4

101 More Historical Sketches (& Fire towers Too!)

Marty Podskoch will discuss stories from his new book, Adirondack Stories II, 101 More Historical Sketches, to be released in June 2009.  It is his second book of illustrated “Adirondack stories” that have appeared in newspapers during the past two years. It contains stories about forestry, mining, sports, hotels and inns, hunting, transportation, disasters, crimes, great camps, summer camps, writers, artists, animals, farming, canals, sports, and amusement parks. Marty will also tell stories of and provide information on the fire towers of the Adirondacks and Catskills, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first fire towers built in the Adirondacks.

July 11

Adirondack Birding

Gary Lee guides throughout the Adirondacks and is a retired Adirondack Forest Ranger who lives in Inlet. An expert on Adirondack birding locales, he recently co-authored a guide to Adirondack birding. He’ll present, in words and images, on the diversity and beauty of Adirondack birds, from the common to the rare, and the habitats where they can be found.

July 18

The Adirondacks: In Celebration of the Seasons

Acclaimed photographer Mark Bowie has followed the compass from Old Forge to Lake George, from Great Sacandaga Lake to the Saranacs and Paul Smiths, meticulously capturing the glories and subtleties of each Adirondack season. In each he has found awe-inspiring beauty. From intimate scenes to grand panoramas, this spectacular portfolio — the supplementary exhibit to Bowie’s new book of the same name — showcases the region’s scenic diversity.

July 25

The Music of Annie & the Hedonists

Enjoy the wonderful musical talents of Annie and the Hedonists. Come listen and sing along as their beautiful vocals and harmonies are blended into an eclectic mix of acoustic folk, torchy blues, standards, bluegrass, gospel, early jazz and more.

Aug. 1

Owls of the Adirondacks (with live owls!)

Adirondack Park Agency naturalist Rynda McCray will show live owls that are native to the Adirondacks. Check out and learn about our nocturnal birds of prey.

Aug. 8

Wildlife & Scenic Images

Check out the spectacular and sublime photos of Warren Greene. His talent at capturing the images of the life that can be found in the Adirondacks is always sure to increase your sense of wonder at the nature that can be found nearby. Photos of songbirds, owls, orchids, butterflies, and Adirondack landscapes in fall and winter will be featured.

Aug. 15

The Colors of Plants-From Spring to Fall

Retired Paul Smith’s forestry professor and author, Michael Kudish, will present on the colors of trees and plants. He’ll talk about the reasons for color change in autumn and the distinctive hues that different plants take on. Did you also know many trees and shrubs can be identified in the spring and early summer, too, by their colors? Some can be identified by their site on the landscape and the chronology of their color. Mr. Kudish will explain this and more through his color slides and years of experience roaming the woods of New York.

Aug. 22

Rock, Sweat, & Mud

Take a walk in the muddy boots of ADK Professional Trails Coordinator Matt McNamara as we look at problems that face our trails and methods taken to fix them. Through slides and drawings, learn all about ADK’s Professional and Volunteer Trails Crews: why they are in the woods, what they are doing, how they do it, what tools they use, and how you can get involved.

Aug. 29

The Adirondack Alpine Zone

The arctic-alpine zone of the High Peaks is an isolated relict of a colder, post-glacial past. For the past 20 years Summit Stewards have protected the rare, beautiful, and endangered alpine-arctic plants which survive on a mere 85 acres on a handful of summits. Join ADK’s Summit Steward Coordinator Julia Goren for a slideshow and presentation about the alpine zone, the Summit Steward program, and the recent research and monitoring efforts taking place in the High Peaks.

Sept. 5

The White-tailed Deer

Retired Saranac Lake biology teacher and author Tom Kalinowski will present a program on the ecology, habits, and behavior of one our largest mammals, the White Tailed Deer. Everything you ever wanted to know about deer from an expert on Adirondack mammals.

Sept. 12

The Wildlife Trade  

The Wildlife Conservation Society has an emerging program to work with the Department of Defense to raise military awareness of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Flora and Fauna), and the consequences of buying wildlife products while serving overseas (items made of ivory, cat pelts…). Such activities endanger those species and are illegal. Heidi Kretser will explain all the details of this unique program to curtail demand for wildlife products and to protect soldiers and wildlife.

Sept. 19

The Music of Rustic Riders

The Rustic Riders play an eclectic mix of music they call “Rock and Soul”. Blues, Rock, Traditional, Gospel, Folk, and Jazz traditions are blended together for a unique experience.

 

Sept. 26

Turning Points in Adirondack History

Adirondack Visitor Center publicist and Adirondack Attic newspaper columnist, Andy Flynn, will explore how five events (American Revolution, creation of the Adirondack Park, 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games, World War II, and creation of the Adirondack Park Agency) helped shape the Adirondacks we know today.

Oct. 3

Invasive Insect Threats to Adirondacks                                         

Thomas Colurusso, USDA plant protection and quarantine officer, will explain some of the newest insect threats that could potentially kill trees in the Adirondacks and discuss the threats moving firewood into the Adirondacks entails.

Oct. 10

An Evening with Inisheer

Don’t miss this evening of toe tappin’ music from the multitalented group Inisheer. Their music ranges from Scottish, Irish, Appalachian and New England tunes to music from New Brunswick, Cape Breton and more. “This is music to delight the ear, lift the spirit, make the feet tap, the hands clap and transport you to other lands and times.”

Oct. 17

The Fall Sky w/Telescope Viewing

Join the always entertaining and informative astronomer, Jeffrey Miller, for a look at what’s going on in the heavens as our planet slides past the autumnal equinox of its orbit. Afterwards he’ll lead a viewing session with his telescope under the dark skies of the High Peaks. So pray for clear skies and come on out for a great evening of stellar entertainment.

 

 

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ADK Member Services Center Lecture Series

 

May 12

It’s Not Easy Being a Bluebird

Russ Guard

Russ is a member and current Washington County coordinator for the NYS Bluebird Society and operator of a 50 plus bluebird trail.  This program will cover the predators, competitors and not so friendly neighbors of the Eastern Bluebird.  Discover the life-cycle, breeding, nesting and chick rearing habits of our state bird.  Learn how to become a friend to the bluebird and perhaps make them a common site in your neighborhood.

June 9

Wildflowers of the Adirondacks

Maryde King

July 14

Canoeing in the Adirondack & the ADK Paddle Pursuit Patch Program

Wes Dingman

Discover the rewards of canoeing and kayaking in the waters of the Adirondacks as well as some of the hazards and difficulties to be reckoned with.  In addition, Wes will touch on equipment choices, safety considerations, emergency preparedness, and the different types of trips to consider.  Information will also be available for participation in the Adirondack Paddle Pursuit Patch Program.  Wes and his wife retired to the Adirondacks in 2002 after a career in a basic biomedical research and a second in administrative and clinical psychiatry, followed later by an interest in writing.

Aug. 11

Geology of the Adirondacks

Matt Maloney

This presentation, with many photos and drawings, will give a comprehensive and clear overview of the geologic history of the Adirondacks.  Starting over a billion years ago when the bedrock was crystallized miles beneath the earth to the current time, as the Adirondacks continue to rise due to unexplained processes, attendees will be immersed in the region’s dramatic and mysterious past.

Matt Maloney is ADK’s coordinator of Interpretive Programs at the Heart Lake Program Center and holds an M.A. in Environmental Education.

Sept.  8

Mushrooms ~ Food and Medicine in the Adirondacks

Nancy Scarzello

The Ice Man used them – so can you!  Get “up close and personal” with local fungi.  Learn ways to identify, harvest, preserve and prepare mushrooms as food and medicine in a relaxed and non-intimidating manner. With over 30 years experience as an herbalist, naturalist and writer in the North Country, Nancy is a life-long advocate for wild plants and plant conservation.

Oct. 13

Short Eared Owls of the Fort Edward Grasslands

Don Polunci

Retired Art teacher and President of the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, Don Polunci will present a power point program that will showcase the Short Eared Owl in its winter habitat at the Fort Edward IBA.  Like many species dependent on grasslands or other open lands, the primary threat to the Short-Eared Owl, is the destruction and degradation of open habitats.  Don has spent the last two winters photographing these owls. The purpose of his photographs is to highlight the issue of urban sprawl, which is the major threat to these owls, and inspire people to become more environmentally aware and responsible.

All ADK lectures are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For lectures at the ADK Member Services Center, please call 518-668-4447. Lectures begin promptly at 7 PM. Seating is limited so reserve today!

ADK's Members Services Center is located a mile south of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) at Exit 21 on Route 9N South.

 

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Johns Brook Lodge Lecture Series (JBL)

If you have never been to Johns Brook Lodge (JBL), or it has been a while, why not visit and attend one of the programs listed below. JBL is accessible only by a 3.5 -mile hike from Keene Valley. These programs begin at 8 PM and are held in the main lodge. All programs are free and open to the public.

Please check back in the spring for the Summer 2009 lecture schedule.

Stewart's Shops, based in Saratoga Springs, NY., has been a generous supporter of ADK's educational efforts since 1986.

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