Adirondack Interpretive Center

10/07/2026

In autumn, it's all about the calories! Songbirds and mammals stock up on wild fruit before winter arrives.

Here, wild grape and two kinds of crab apple attract coyotes (such as this juvenile), foxes, chipmunks, American Robins, and many migratory or year-round residential bird species. Planting native fruiting trees and shrubs supports wildlife.

ESF's Adirondack Ecological Center tracks forest food production for more than sixty species. 2026 is a banner year for food, meaning black bears, marten and other wildlife should have plenty to eat. The graph shows annual fruit production changes on Huntington Wildlife Forest for fourteen fruiting plants; more than sixty species are tracked each year. Photo credits: Tim Siudzinski and AEC.

10/07/2026

FOUND EYEGLASSES! Our Associate Director Paul Hai found these eyeglasses while walking along the south shore of Rich Lake – there were exposed by low water—we’d like to reunite them with their owner, so feel free to reach out if they look familiar! There is a long history of human presence on Rich Lake well before ESF’s Newcomb Campus from indigenous peoples to early settlers in Newcomb, including the Chase Farmstead. We’ve found items from stone points, or old log-driving logs to modern day eyeglasses - It’s interesting what can show up when the water level fluctuates revealing history.

09/27/2026

Today a monarch chrysalis in need of a home found its way to us. Monarchs stay in their chrysalis for 10 to 14 days as they change into butterflies. Because this one only became a chrysalis today it will likely make the long journey to Central Mexico once it emerges. Monarchs that emerge after mid-August are part of the extraordinary generation that make the up to 3,000 mile journey to their overwintering grounds in the mountains of Mexico.

We are looking forward to meeting this monarch once it emerges!

09/20/2026

Today's Mushroom Meander is canceled, stay dry!

09/18/2026

Enjoy the trails!

09/18/2026

There's still a few tickets left for the Adirondack Park Institute's 2026 Award Gala. This year API is honoring John Sheehan of the Adirondack Council, Dr. Joan Burke Newcomb Historical Museum, and Ellen Lansing.

The Adirondack Park Institute supports programming at the AIC-helping ensure our public programing stays free for all!

09/16/2026

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for mushrooms! Have you noticed the abundance of fungus lately? Mushrooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors are popping up all over the AIC trails.

This coming Sunday, 9/20, mushroom enthusiast Sandy Bureaus will introduce folks to the mushrooms of the Adirondacks on this month's Mushroom Meander. The walk starts at 1pm and all are welcome. Registration is appreciated but not necessary. See you there!

09/10/2026

The AIC will be closed tomorrow, enjoy the trails!

09/09/2026

09/05/2026

American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) are an important staple in Adirondack forests. Along with providing shade and oxygen, they produce one of the most important food sources in our region, beech nuts. Packed with proteins and fats, these triangular shaped nuts are a favorite of animals, big and small. Luckily for the black bears, turkeys, squirrels and others beech nuts are in abundance this year! Have you seen any?