Adirondack Watershed Institute

Our team is fortunate to play a role in understanding long-term changes in Adirondack lakes. Lake Colden was once fishless due to acid rain. In 2019, Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation and DEC staff confirmed the presence of brook trout in Lake Colden, as well as one of its tributaries, Cold Brook. This is a great success story demonstrating the success of air pollution controls and the recovery of our lakes from acid rain. If you want to learn more about the fish recovery in Lake Colden, visit: https://lnkd.in/eJvnuCG6

We recently hosted a teacher training for educators in the Saranac and Ausable River watersheds. These dedicated teachers, from local elementary, middle, and high schools, are leading the way in bringing more knowledge about our local watersheds into the classroom. We deeply appreciate them taking the time to learn about watersheds, water quality, and macroinvertebrates, as well as reviewing the curriculum we've developed with support from the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Their commitment ensures that our students gain a deeper understanding of the natural world around them!

We are proud to have Paul Smith's College represented at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute through AWI's Wool and Water project. Art that Matters to the Planet: Clarity, explores the role of art and artists in protecting freshwater ecosystems (including lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, and freshwater wetlands) across the country, and all of the life they support (including fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals). The exhibit runs through October 27th, stop by and see it if you find yourself in Jamestown, NY! https://lnkd.in/dJ3ivQ2i

At the end of July, our education team lead a program on Saratoga Lake with the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District. We appreciated the opportunity to get local students on the lake to learn about invasive species, water quality, and watersheds.

We recently welcomed Bobby Clark to our year-round team. Bobby started as a Per Diem Research Technician in 2023 and is currently a Field Technician II at AWI. He previously served as a Manager with the Adirondack Mountain Club engaging with the public as an outdoor educator, steward and wilderness guide. In his free time, he can be found looking for mushrooms and exploring the remote reaches of the Adirondack Park by canoe, ski, bike and foot. To learn more about Bobby and others on our team, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dHHtMCCk

One of our favorite staff sampling trips is a paddle up the Cedar River flow followed by a hike over to Carry Pond. Our team had the perfect day for this trip, with cooler temps a slight breeze, and no bugs! This work is part of the Adirondack Long Term Monitoring program, supported by NYSERDA.

We want to extend our thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating #AdirondackWaterWeek! Your participation made it truly special. A special thanks to all the partnering organizations and individuals who helped lead events throughout the week. Your dedication and effort are instrumental in elevating this annual celebration. Thank you to the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network and Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership for supporting this year's celebration.

What is a biosphere? Our team is highlighting the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere during #adirondackwaterweek. Learn more about biospheres and our local biosphere by reading our recent blog post: https://lnkd.in/e6rYt6hF

A moment of serenity during #adirondackwaterweek from the campus of Paul Smith’s College. In a couple of weeks, we will welcome students back on campus for the start of the fall semester. We look forward to seeing both returning and new students soon! #smittypix #futuresmitty

During #AdirondackWaterWeek, we encourage you to take time to appreciate the water resources of this region. If you'd like to get on the water, The Wild Center is offering daily guided paddling trips on the Raquette River. We hope you can get out and celebrate!