Experience the Wild in the Adirondacks

Discover what the Wild Center has to teach about our famous forests

Story by Tiffany Richards

Photos courtesy of Jen Kretser of the Wild Center

The lush green humps of the Adirondack Mountains characterize much of northeastern New York. They appear calm and quiet from afar, but beneath the canopy the forest shudders with life. Birds fly from tree to tree in search of a wormy meal, and bear cubs run after each other in a playful game as the watchful eyes of their mother gazes after them. All this life stays hidden in these mountains as humans go about their daily lives in their own world. Yet, Tupper Lake's Wild Center finds a way for nature and people to connect.

"We're interested in how we can connect people to the Adirondacks," says Jen Kretser, The Wild Center's director of programs. The Wild Center is focused on educating people about the natural history of the Adirondacks. Approximately 100,000 people visit a year to experience the wild beauty of these mountains. "We want to tell a story about this place," she says. Their mission is to ignite and endure the passion for the mountains.

The museum consists of 31 acres of property, and has indoor and outdoor displays. Visitors are able to "see it and feel it" through what the exhibitions show. They can see different types of exhibits and media throughout the center in addition to different themes every year, Kretser says. The 'Wild Adirondacks,' 'Naturalists Cabinet' and 'Find Out Forest' are indoor exhibits that can create the feel of experiencing nature first hand. Many of their exhibits include live fish and animals cohabiting in their environment. The center evolves with the changing mountains. A new exhibit about bio-mimicry called the "Mother of Invention" is now one of the many exhibits of the museum. The center is also working on an exhibit called 'Return of the Wild' which is about moose coming back to the Adirondacks.

"The wild world of the Adirondacks opens up before their eyes"

The center has a living museum for guests to enjoy. Interpretive trails lead visitors around the pond and give them a chance to explore on their own. "The wild world at the Adirondacks opens up before their eyes," she says. The 'Living River Trail' includes the sounds and actions of animals in the Adirondacks as nature happens. A large moving glacial wall creates a cold atmosphere as their cascading waterfall molds a chilling feel. "It really inspires people to take a walk on their own."

The Wild Center has a 20-foot high waterfall called 'Otter Falls.' This indoor exhibit is one of the museums most popular. The exhibit consists of three river otters named Emmett, Squeaker and Squirt. "They're sort of our mascots of the museum," Sally Gross says, the center’s group coordinator.

Not only do visitors enjoy what the center has to offer. "It’s a fun place to work," Joellen Tooly says, staff worker for gift shop and admissions. Tooly says one of her favorite exhibits is the fish pond. "The exhibit is built so you can look right into it. It’s like an eye view for what it’s like for them," she says.

The Wild Center is also educating their guests on climate change. "(We want) to create a dialog about how we can mitigate climate change in the Adirondacks and the northeast," Kretser says. The center is looking for a way to reduce carbon in the mountains. They're working with other groups on improving its environment. These groups include the Adirondack Energy, the Adirondack Climate and Action Plan.

"We're making an impact on the environment"

Going green is more than just a catch phrase for the center. A walk around the property reveals the solar panels on the roofs, composting toilets, a garden rooftop and more. They received Silver certification in LEED (Leadership for Environment and Energy Design) for their efforts in making their environment eco-friendly.

The Wild Center educates people about the nature of the Adirondacks and is active in trying to save this massive part of northeastern New York. "We're making an impact on the environment," Kretser says. This effort for allowing people to experience the wild Adirondacks is an attempt to bring people closer to nature. "We can learn a lot from studying nature. Finding that (nature) helps us to restore a connection to ourselves."

What do you like about the Adirondacks?