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2010 Summer Naturalist Series

Preregistration is required for all Summer Naturalist Series programs. Call 518-523-3441 to register. Directions and other information will be sent to registered participants.  Bring your own lunch or a trail lunch can be provided upon request for $8. Participation is limited for many programs, so register early. For more information, please contact Matt Maloney at 518-523-3480 Ext. 20 or interpret@adk.org.

 

May 15-16

Wildflower Weekend

Ruth Schottman, author of Trailside Notes and expert botanist, will lead a two day Wildflower Weekend program based at the Adirondak Loj. The middle of May is the peak of the ephemeral spring wildflower bloom in the northern Adirondacks, and Ruth Schottman is the perfect guide to find what’s blooming. From Dutchman’s breeches and trilliums to spring beauties there is an abundance of wildflowers to be found. Ruth will take participants outside to excellent wildflower locations as well as showing slides and teaching you how to identify wildflowers. Lodging is available at the Adirondak Loj. Call 518-523-3441 for reservations.

Location: Adirondak Loj at Heart Lake.

Time: 9 AM-5 PM on Saturday; 9 AM-4 PM on Sunday.

Cost: $70/$75, includes instruction, use of materials, and parking.

 

May 22

Boreal Birds & Warblers

The Adirondacks are home to boreal bird species typically found much farther north in Canada. Did you know over 20 species of warblers nest in the Adirondacks? This program will start with an introduction to the boreal-habitat birds that nest in the Adirondacks. Participants will then have a chance to see boreal birds such as grey jay, boreal chickadee, palm warbler, black backed woodpecker, and yellow bellied flycatcher during the nesting season with the guidance of a knowledgeable ADK naturalist. If we’re lucky we may even see one of the rare spruce grouse that nest at Spring Pond Bog. Participants will also learn to recognize the songs, wonderful color patterns and habitats of the different species of neo-tropical warblers that inhabit the Adirondack forests.

Location: The Nature Conservancy’s Spring Pond Bog. About 2 miles of flat walking will be required.

Time: 8 AM-2 PM. Leave with us from the Adirondak Loj at 7 AM or meet us in Tupper Lake at 7:45 AM

Cost: $30/$35.

May 29

Beginner Birding for Forest Birds

This is a great way to learn the basics of how, where and when to find many of the beautiful species of breeding birds that nest in the forest of the Adirondacks. Participants will be led on trails at the ADK’s Heart Lake Program Center to where they can find a large variety of nesting birds. Learn about birding by ear, using binoculars and recognizing the nesting habits of our many bird species. Lodging is available for this program.

Location: Meet at the Adirondak Loj.

Time: 8 AM-noon.

Cost: $25 /$30.

  

June 12 and July 24

Glacial Landscapes: Remnants of the Ice Age 

When the glaciers receded for the final time over 10,000 years ago they left behind their legacy in the landscape. A world of wonder and fascination can be unlocked by knowing where and how to look for these landforms that lay hidden under forest, field, and even our villages. Participants will be led on a narrative journey from the Adirondak Loj to Saranac Lake, stopping at several glacial landforms along the way. You’ll learn about ancient lake beds, deltas, eskers, kettle holes, kames, and other clues to glaciations. Stops will include John Brown’s farm, Ray Brook, Mirror Lake, and the Saranac Lake esker.

Location: Meet at the Adirondak Loj. Lodging is available for the June 13 and 27 programs. As always, ADK members receive a 10 percent discount on lodging and meals.

Time: 10 AM-4 PM.  

Cost: $30/$35. 

 

June 19 and July 10 

An Adirondack Cave: Caving and Ecology  

Down by the Boreas River lies a hidden cavern carved out of marble. Diverse plants and ferns cover the lush opening to Hotwater Cave. We’ll spelunk to a cave chamber while participants will learn some of the unique geology and ecology of the Hotwater Cave area. A flat 2 mile, one-way hike is necessary to access the cave. A short bushwhack to Hotwater Pond will follow.

Time: 10 AM-4 PM. Meet at the Newcomb VIC at 10 AM (we’ll carpool from there) or at the Adirondak Loj by 9 AM for a ride.

Cost: $35/$40.  

 

June 26 and Aug. 19

High Peaks Bedrock 

Spend a full day exploring the fascinating bedrock geology of the High Peaks. Mineral types, crushed rock fault zones, hybrid rocks, and the structure of the mountains will be seen in the field. We’ll hike up Mt. Van Hoevenberg (4 miles round-trip) and visit stops in Keene later.

Time: 9 AM-5 PM.  

Cost: $35/$40.

 

July 11

Wild Fruits and Herbal Teas

Join wild foods expert and herbalist Jane Desotelle for this program on wild fruits and herbal teas that can be collected in forested areas. Jane will show participants which species are edible and which are poisonous on a guided walk near beautiful Heart Lake. Participants will also have the chance to sample wild fruits and teas that Jane has collected and learn how to prepare them. Call the Adirondak Loj at 518-523-3441 for details and registration information.

Location: Adirondak Loj at Heart Lake

Time: 4:30 AM-8:30 PM.

Cost: $40/$45, includes a hearty, home-cooked dinner.

July 17 and Aug. 26
An Adirondack Old Growth Forest

Explore a 300-year-old forest near Middle Saranac Lake with an ADK naturalist. Ancient sugar maples, birches, hemlocks, and spruce cover a sizeable area that has never been logged. Learn about the ecology of an old forest while discovering what’s unique about the Adirondacks’ ancient forests. Participants will walk on relatively flat terrain on the Ampersand Mountain trail, with some off-trail bushwhacking.

Time: 10 AM-2 PM. Meet at the Ampersand Mt. trailhead at 10 AM or at the Adirondak Loj by 9:15 AM for a ride.

Cost: $20/$25.

 

July 31 and Aug. 12

Stalking the Adirondack Fern  

Join an ADK naturalist in search for over a dozen species of fern that can be found in the High Peaks. We’ll start out learning how to identify the subtle differences between some ferns using a key and practice identifying in our fern garden and adjacent woods. You’ll have the opportunity to look at fern spores through a microscope. Then we’ll head down to Keene to look for some more unusual species of ferns on limey soils. Lodging is available for this program. ADK members receive a 10 percent discount on lodging.

Location: Meet at the Adirondak Loj.

Time: 10 AM-4pm.  

Cost: $30/$35.

 

Aug. 22 and Sept. 19

Wild Mushrooms 

Program Schedule

4:30 - 5:30: Introduction to Mycology. Basic dos and don’ts are essential for those thinking of eating wild mushrooms. See the basic groups of wild fungi while viewing power point photos of Adirondack Mushrooms. Learn tips on how to identify the hundreds of fungi available in this area.

5:30 – 6:15: Take a walk in the woods to see what fungi we find. Field note forms and wax collecting bags will be supplied.

6:15- 7:15: Dinner. Look through some of my favorite mushroom books. Open and smell some dried samples of edible mushrooms collected in the Adirondacks.

7:15 – 8:30: Discussion of what was found on walk followed by slides of wild edible mushrooms with information of when you can expect to find each kind, points of identification to distinguish them from poisonous look-alikes, how to prepare and preserve fungi.
Call the Adirondak Loj for more details and information on how to register at 518-523-3441.

Location: Adirondak Loj at Heart Lake.

Time: 4:30 PM-8:30 PM.

Cost: $40/$45, includes a hearty, home-cooked dinner.

                                                                

First price is member price; second price is nonmember price.