It’s time for one last hurrah before The Wild Center goes on its own spring break. Before its annual hiatus, head to Tupper Lake and enjoy everything the Wild Center has to offer, plus cake.

Essentially, you can have your cake and eat it too. Well played, Wild Center.

Each April, The Wild Center takes a month-long break for some revamping and spring cleaning. The museum will be open Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, for regular business hours. It will be the last chance to see some favorite exhibits before new and exciting things are showcased for the summer opening weekend. The Saturday also coincides with the resident otters’ birthdays. Yes, there will be cake. Not just otter cake, which is mainly ice, but cake fit for humans.

According to Communications Manager Tracey Legat the Wild Center has a full schedule planned for otters and visitors alike. The trails are also open and snowshoes are free with admission.

“There are lots of fun activities planned for the Otter Birthday Celebration,” says Legat. “The art studio is still here. There will be face painting, games, crafts, otter enrichment as well as a chance to win prizes.”

Legat encourages visitors to also check out the Community Maple Project and Wild Center sugar shack. With the warmer days and cold nights, the sap will be running. There is still a chance for a taste of freshly made syrup right out of their boiler.

Since 2011, the Community Maple Project has continued to educate schools and residents on backyard sap collection. Throughout the town of Tupper are sap buckets – the  Wild Center otter logo indicates its part of the Community Maple Project. Residents collect and deliver their sap to the Wild Center sugar shack where it is processed. Over 80 families and 800 trees contribute to the Wild Center’s Community Maple Project.

If you can’t make the party, there will be plenty to look forward to when the Wild Center opens again in May. The Wild Center is partnering with the Six Nations Indian Museum and Akwesasne Cultural Center for some exciting new exhibits and interpretive displays showcasing Native American views and ecological understanding.

The Wild Center is located at 45 Museum Way, Tupper Lake. Current hours are 10 am to 5 pm.

Photo of Wild Center otter provided.