The Wild Center, a world-class natural history museum encompassing a 31-acre campus in Tupper Lake has a wide variety of programs, trips and activities planned for this  summer.

To register or for more information on any of these events, visit www.wildcenter.org/calendar or contact Sally Gross at 518-359-7800 ext.116 or sgross@wildcenter.org. If the event is full, they will add you to a waiting list.

Sunday evening, June 1^th, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Madawaska Owl Prowl
Join professional guides and Wild Center naturalists on an owl prowl in Madawaska, part of the vast and remote Santa Clara tract. Explore the diverse complex of habitats that composes Madawaska as we head out in the evening and search for overflying Common Nighthawks and listen for the toots of Northern Saw-whet Owl.  We will also be listening for the hoots of both Great-horned Owl and Barred Owl, the latter of which can fill the night air with a cacophony of quacks and calls. The owls will be calling against a backdrop of frogs and toads all in full throat during the frenzy of spring, and we will stop to listen to them as well. Beavers will also slap their tails at us in the darkness and there is also the chance of finding more elusive species of mammals, such as fisher, coyote and red fox out for the night as well.

We will carpool along dirt roads, stopping here and there to get out and listen. Starting before dusk increases our chances of seeing a variety of species. Participants should be prepared for level walks along dirt roads and wide paths and bring lights to help them watch their footing and boots for potentially muddy conditions. Temperatures are expected to be cool after dark, so bring layers to stay warm. Bring water and snacks as well. Space is limited to 14 participants so please register soon. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with detailed information including a gear list and directions to the meeting point. Cost: $12 members, $15 for non-members

Every Thursday from June 5^th until September 25^th, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Farmers Market
The Wild Center hosts weekly Farmers Markets where you can meet farmers and take home some of the wonderful local food grown in the Adirondack region. The Wild Center has joined with The Adirondack Farmers’ Market Cooperative, Inc. which promotes and manages farmers’ markets. All related Farmers Market outdoor programming is free and open to the public. Admission to The Wild Center exhibits and additional programming is not included.

Saturday, June 21^st, 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Spring Pond Bog Birding eXpedition
The Wild Center is pleased to offer this expert-led expedition at The Nature Conservancy’s Spring Pond Bog. The second largest open expanse of peatland in New York State, Spring Pond Bog Preserve provides a unique habitat for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Professional guide and ornithologist Alan Belford and a Wild Center Naturalist will take you on a tour along the wetland and surrounding woodlands, which provide feeding and nesting sites for a number of boreal birds, including various flycatchers, at least 15 different species of warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and more. Follow the boardwalk along the bog and head down a short trail through hardwood forests with great bog views.

This day includes transportation provided by The Wild Center, with a long drive down minimally-maintained roads and walking along uneven terrain. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $50 for Wild Center members, $55 for non-members

Tuesday, June 24^th, 3:00 pm
Behind the Scenes Tours
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until September 2^nd explore behind the curtain where practices and ideas combine to bring The Wild Center experience to life. Take a closer look at our green energy system, learn how our life support system keeps the trout and otters happy, and visit with our wild animal ambassadors behind the scenes.  Cost: Behind the Scenes Tours are free for Members. Non members can participate for a fee of $10 for adults and $7 for children age 4-14, with no charge for children 3 and under.

Thursday, June 26^th at 7:30 pm
The Grand Saga of the Monarch Butterfly
Professor Lincoln Brower, of Sweet Briar College, will bring the screening of the breathtaking, giant screen adventure Flight of the Butterflies at The Wild Center to a close on June 30^th.

Daily starting Saturday, June 28^th through September 1^st, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Canoeing the Raquette River
Join a NYS Licensed Guide and Wild Center Naturalist on a daily paddle along the Raquette River. Oxbows are unique, natural formations found in rivers around the world. Meet some of the local wildlife and explore different marsh habitats as you wind around the many curves and turns of this special place. This trip is geared to novice paddlers ages 5 and up. Children ages 5 through 15 must have at least 1 parent or guardian present for every 2 children. Register soon as space is limited. Museum admission is not included. For additional details, please see our canoeing webpage.  Cost per Boat: $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

Sundays June 29^th through August: June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, and August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Early Morning Canoeing on the Raquette River
Join a NYS Licensed Guide and Wild Center Naturalist on this morning excursion on the Raquette River. After meeting as a group at the Museum parking lot, we will gear up then walk down to the Raquette River along The Wild Center’s trails, looking for wildlife along the way. At the river we will use The Wild Center’s canoe fleet for a paddle along the Oxbow. Oxbows are unique, natural formations found in some rivers around the world. We will paddle around the many curves and turns of this special place in search of marsh animals, from birds to the occasional beaver. Getting out on the water early increases your chances of seeing some of the local wildlife, including Great Blue Heron, Chestnut-sided and Yellow Warblers, various waterfowl, American Kestrel, many other birds, beaver, muskrat, and river otters.

This program is open to both experienced and novice paddlers ages 5 and up. Children ages 5 through 15 must have at least 1 parent or guardian present for every 2 children. Register soon as space is limited. Museum admission is not included. Cost Per Boat: $30 for members, $35 for non-members.

Saturday, July 5^th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
BuzzzFest           
An all day festival of fun on Saturday, July 5th.  BuzzzFest honors the creatures that make the world go round, from dragonflies to honey bees. Enjoy honey BBQ, web cakes and live music. Collect bugs and try to stump our insect experts, compete in insect races and learn from butterfly walks and bee keeping demos.

Mondays, July 7^th – August 25^th, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Monday Morning Art at The Wild Center
Join The Wild Center this summer to awaken your artistic talents by joining us for early morning, intimate art classes in our Artist Studio, part of our Moments, Reimagining Nature through Art experience.  Every Monday morning in July and August come explore the natural world through art with experienced Adirondack artists.  Each two hour class is a good way to expand your art skills, have fun and learn new art techniques in areas such as watercolor, nature drawing and color practice.  Additionally, some Mondays are specially designed for children and their families to learn about and create art together.  We hope you’ll be inspired to explore your artistic side and gain new insights into the natural world in the process by joining us for a creative morning.

Every Monday will have a different art focus and offer new skills to enhance your artistic knowledge so sign up for one or more.  Museum admission is not included.  Space is limited so please register soon. Basic supplies are included. Cost: additional fee dependent on workshop. Please see our events calendar for more information.

Saturday July 12^th, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Upper and Lower Lakes WMA Birding eXpedition
Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area is a mosaic of deciduous marshes, forests, and fields, and it is one of the most diverse places to go birding in the North Country. We will search the marshes for species such as Black Tern, Virginia Rail, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Sora, while Osprey and Bald Eagle cruise overhead.  Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow Warbler are common along the brushy edges of the marsh as well, and we will search for Golden-winged Warbler which also breed in the area.  Field habitats support a variety of species including American Kestrel, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark while neighboring forests harbor breeding Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks as well as singing Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Veery.

This trip includes transportation provided by The Wild Center. We will carpool to the Wildlife Management Area and stop in various places to bird. Be prepared for some light hiking along easy trails or roads. Bring food, snacks, and water and light weight long-sleeved clothing for sun and insects if need be. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $50 for Wild Center members, $55 for non-members

Tuesday, July 15^th, 1:00 pm
Using Photography to Protect our Watersheds
Join documentary photographer Alison Jones, Founding Director of No Water No Life, for a stunning glimpse into the world of conservation photography. No Water No Life combines the powers of photography, scientific research and stakeholder knowledge to raise awareness of the vital importance of freshwater resources, perils of watershed degradation and opportunities for sustainable resource management.

Thursday, July 17^th, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Lake Placid Sinfonietta
Lake Placid’s own Sinfonietta presents a wonderful Wild Center evening filled with music.
Cost: Non member tickets are $20 for adults, 15 and older; members of The Wild Center can purchase tickets for $17; No charge for children 14 and under. Optional buffet dinner in the Esplande Tent is an additional $25 per person (5:30 pm – 6:45 pm).

Saturday, July 19^th, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Long Pond Paddling and Hiking eXpedition with Broadwing Adventures
Join Broadwing Adventures and The Wild Center for this exploration of the headwaters to the Saranac River watershed. This trip provides the perfect combination of paddling and hiking in a day long adventure. After a beautiful paddle on this paddlers-only pond we will reach the trailhead to Mountain Pond. This 900-foot ascent offers a birds-eye view of the St. Regis Canoe area, a sea of green dotted with ponds, lakes and mountains. Short carries, over 5 miles of paddling, a 2.8 round-trip hike, and a packed, provided lunch will fill the day.

Lunch, shuttle transportation, and professional guide services are included with registration. Boat rental is available for an additional $30 per person. This trip offers a great opportunity for paddling and hiking, intended for intermediate paddlers ages 12 and up who are able to paddle across the water and hike up a steep, short mountain. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $70 members, $75 non-members, plus $30 for boat rental if requested

Tuesday July 22^nd, 7:30 am – 10:00 am
Bloomingdale Bog Birding eXpedition
Join a Wild Center naturalist and explore the unique natural history of Adirondack bogs. This large bog wetland, complete with sedge marsh and coniferous woods, provides ample opportunity to see some great boreal birds. Past walks have brought us Gray Jay, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Black-backed Woodpecker, Palm and other warbler species, moose tracks, toads, and more! Learn the basics of birding while increasing your identification, ecology, and natural history skills. Easy walking along an old rail-road bed.  Please be prepared with sturdy walking shoes, binoculars/field guides, appropriate outdoor clothing, bug spray, and water. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $5 members, $8 non members

Saturday, July 26^th at 1:00 pm
Reimagine Nature, Artfully: Allen Blagden and Wildlife Art
Painting wildlife—animals, birds, and aquatic life in the wilderness with or without humans present—has an extensive history in American visual culture. Wildlife art has evolved over more than 400 years from illustration to art in two and three-dimensional form and in the print media. The genre’s aesthetics and imagery has also evolved and influenced our ideas about nature, wild life, habitats, ecology, and environment. Caroline Welsh will give a brief overview of the history of wildlife art and Allen Blagden’s contribution to it through the exhibition installed at The Wild Center. This event is free for members or with paid admission.

Friday, August 1^st, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Fungi Foray eXpedition
Mycologist Susan Hopkins will lead you on a walk through the trails by Little Clear Pond in search of fungi of all sorts: mushrooms, polypores, slime molds, and more. This program will be on mostly flat terrain, along DEC-maintained trails. When looking for fungi it helps to move slowly so this walk will be easy and slow-paced.

Please be prepared with sturdy walking shoes, binoculars/field guides, appropriate outdoor clothing, bug spray, and water. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, a map and directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $5 members, $8 non members

Thursday, August 7^th at 7:30 pm
Small Ensembles in the Theatre
As another collaboration of The Wild Center and the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, this Ensembles concert – Musical Tapas – is comprised of small ensembles, a string quartet, a wind quintet and perhaps an unusual pairing or trio.  Each piece will be accompanied by selected images displayed on the theatre screen behind the performers.  This is an hour-long event with no intermission. Cost is $25 per ticket.

Thursday, August 14^th, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
FlavorFest
Join us for FlavorFest to celebrate the virtues of eating local food and fare from the Adirondack region. Sample delicious dishes created with locally grown ingredients, local craft beer, and purchase freshly harvested produce from our Farmers Market. Engage with local farmers and chefs, and learn from demonstrations on gardening and cooking.  Food crafts, games, festive music and nature programs will all be on the day’s menu for the whole family to enjoy.

Friday, August 15^th at 7:00 pm
Penquin Tango, musical theatre presented with the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts
A costumed staged reading of this award winning Off-Broadway production – a charming comedy inspired by actual events at the Central Park Zoo. All ticketing for this Wild Center event is through the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts: adirondackarts.org or 877-752-7715. Cost: $10 member, $15 non member

Sunday, August 17^th – Wednesday, August 20^th
Adirondack Plein Air
Free admission for artists who would like to paint on the grounds of the museum. Learn about the Adirondacks by touring the museum, then head outside to the museum trails and paint the pond, wildflowers, woods, or oxbow of the Raquette River. Also painting opportunities indoors.

Tuesday, August 19^th, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Botany eXpedition
Botanist Dan Spada will lead this plant walk from the popular Scarface Mountain Trailhead in Ray Brook.  We will explore a tree plantation, riparian zone, and even visit a hidden bog. With these various habitats we will see many different species of plants.

This walk follows maintained trails as well as a working railroad track. Please be prepared for walking across uneven and hilly terrain and have sturdy walking or hiking shoes, appropriate outdoor clothing, bug spray, water, and snacks. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, a map and directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $5 members, $8 non members

Thursday, August 21^st at 1 pm
Reimagine Nature, Artfully: Allen Blagden and Wildlife Art
Painting wildlife—animals, birds, and aquatic life in the wilderness with or without humans present—has an extensive history in American visual culture. Wildlife art has evolved over more than 400 years from illustration to art in two and three-dimensional form and in the print media. The genre’s aesthetics and imagery has also evolved and influenced our ideas about nature, wild life, habitats, ecology, and environment. Caroline Welsh will give a brief overview of the history of wildlife art and Allen Blagden’s contribution to it through the exhibition installed at The Wild Center. This event is free for members or with paid admission.

Sunday, August 24^th, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Essex Chain of Lakes Paddling eXpedition with Broadwing Adventures
Discover one of the newest additions to the Forest Preserve and explore waters only opened to the public since October 2013. This day includes 4 carries for a total of 1.5 miles and between 7.5 and 10 miles of paddling Second through Seventh Lakes, with the option of exploring First Lake and its outlet. Join us on secluded, quiet waters on this great recreational getaway for the novice or intermediate paddler. With 11 lakes and ponds interconnected or within portaging distance of each other, the Essex Chain provides an outstanding paddling route and a great opportunity to explore waters across a tract of land owned by Finch Pruyn & Company for over 100 years.

Lunch, shuttle transportation, and professional guide services are included with registration. Boat rental is available for an additional $30 per person. This day-long exploring of a secluded spot is intended for intermediate paddlers ages 12 and over who are able to paddle across multiple bodies of water over long distances. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $70 members, $75 non-members, plus $30 for boat rental if requested

Saturday, September 13^th, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Stony Creek Ponds and Raquette River Paddling eXpedition with Broadwing Adventures
This adventure starts on quiet Adirondack Ponds just 8 miles from The Wild Center. The resident pair of loons on these ponds is often spotted along this route.  Once entering pretty little Stony Creek travel is downstream all the way to the end of the trip.  After traveling for 2.5 miles paddlers will reach the Raquette River and float the remaining 8.5 miles to “the Crusher”. This ease and beauty of this trip makes it a true delight to paddle. This time of year the silver maples lining the Raquette River will be shades of red and purple with falling leaves floating along the river. Lower water levels will provide small beaches making for easy stops along the way.

Lunch, shuttle transportation, and professional guide services are included with registration. Boat rental is available for an additional $30 per person. This trip offers a great opportunity for paddlers with all levels of experience age 12 and over, who are able to paddle occasionally against wind. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 12 participants so please register soon. After registering you will receive detailed information including a gear list, directions to our starting point and more. Cost: $70 members, $75 non-members, plus $30 for boat rental if requested

September 27^th, 10am – 6pm
Fall Foliage Photo Tour with Carl Heilman
Understanding photography basics is the key to taking control of your camera, and knowing you got the shot when taking it. If would like to take your skill level from shooting in Auto to having full control over your camera, this intensive class is for you! A step by step presentation helps teach all aspects of landscape photography including: camera settings, peripheral equipment, perfecting exposure, histograms, shooting for HDR, working with motion and depth of field, composition, creative options, lighting, and also touches on post processing.

Photographer, Carl Heilman, has been photographing the Adirondacks since the mid 1970’s and has been working with digital image files since 1997. He has led photo workshops since the early 1990’s and has been presenting photography workshops in Brant Lake since 1997 through Wild Visions, Inc. His coffee table books on the Adirondacks, Lake George, New York State, and Maine have been published by Rizzoli, Voyageur Press, and North Country Books. His AV programs have aired on regional PBS stations, and he was interviewed for the May 2008 national PBS special, ‘The Adirondacks’. His photo techniques book, The Landscape Photography Field Guide (2011 Focal Press), is a comprehensive handbook about landscape photography techniques. Photographing the Adirondacks (2013 Countryman Press), is a regional guidebook to more than 200 photo locations throughout the Adirondack Park.