The Otter - Winter 2021-22

TTER

WINTER 2021-22

WILDCENTER.ORG

p.2 COP26-Bound p.4 Hopscotch p.6 Wild Lights

p.8 Maple Nation p.12 Totally Pumped p.18 Events Calendar

photo: Carolyn McGraw Walker

WONDERLAND

MISSION: POSSIBLE

In November, the most influential figures in the climate change movement converged on Scotland.

President Biden was there. French President Emmanuel Macron was there. Pope Francis was there.

And so was The Wild Center, and our Youth Climate Program.

We sent six college students and recent grads, as well as three members of our leadership team, to Glasgow for COP26, the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties. Our goals: To observe leaders from 197 countries address climate change, and to be sure those leaders heard youth voices loud and clear.

We had a front-row seat, as our badges gave us inside access to panels and discussions closed to the public. (Only two museums in the world had the access we did.)

WHAT IS COP26?

Addressing climate change takes an international effort. Every year, nations gather to negotiate rules governing greenhouse gas emissions and other topics. More than 20,000 people came to Glasgow.

WHY DID WE GO? The Wild Center is a leader in the climate change education movement. Since 2009, we’ve helped students host Youth Climate Summits in 45 communities in six countries, from the Adirondacks to Sri Lanka.

Young people belong at the table when decisions on climate change actions are being made. Because soon, youth will lead those actions. In fact, our Summits and Summiteers have already driven significant change.

In going to Scotland, we wanted to be sure world leaders kept youth in mind while hammering out pacts on carbon capture markets and other goals.

But we also wanted our youth delegates to see how power works, network with other prominent figures in this space, and return home with new ideas and energy to carry out this work in their own communities. M 2

MEET OUR YOUTH DELEGATES Some of our delegates are still in college; others have graduated and are working in environmentally focused careers. All have been doing this work for years—and know that youth are capable of driving real change, right now.

ANDREW FAGERHEIM

Homer, NY | Columbia University “This is a critical time for international cooperation on climate action, and I’m excited to discuss how young people can deliver meaningful change.”

GINA FIORILE

Saranac Lake | Climate Literacy & Energy Awareness Network, UC-Boulder “It is past time to take action on climate change!

We have a moral obligation to tackle this issue, as it affects everybody, everywhere.”

ELISE PIERSON

Lake Placid | St. Lawrence University “Even if we’re still in school, we can turn passion to action—as long as we’re given room to speak and tools to create change.”

SILAS SWANSON

Saranac Lake | Columbia University “So many students have come through the Youth Climate Program before me. I’m excited to represent them—and return home with new ideas and energy to share.”

WITTER SWANSON

Saranac Lake | Sustainable Energy Advantage “COP26 presents an opportunity to connect our large network of local action to a global scale.”

EMMA VENARDE

NYC | Brown University “Our lives will be impacted by decisions made today.

Our presence at COP is critical, because we know what an uncertain future feels like.”

In addition, Wild Center Executive Director Stephanie Ratcliffe; Karen Thomas, chair of our Board of Trustees; and Jen Kretser, director of climate initiatives, also attended.

CATCH UP ON WHAT HAPPENED

By the time you get this, COP26 will be complete.

Visit wildcenter.org/cop26 to watch videos and read updates from our delegates.

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wooded wonder Even if you’ve never seen Patrick Dougherty’s sculpture before, you’re still innately familiar with it.

Just think back to your childhood, he says. Then look at the playful elements in “Hopscotch,” the soaring, sweeping, made-fromsticks sculpture he finished here in August. Standing beneath Wild Walk amidst a stand of Scotch pine, the 20-foot-tall sculpture is a big-as-life fort, a maze, a place to play hide-and-seek.

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He didn’t do it all himself: Dougherty and his son, Sam, worked with more than 100 volunteers to build the stickwork creation. Some cut down the maple saplings, others stripped them of leaves, and still more came for four-hour shifts to painstakingly weave thousands of branches into their final form.

Dougherty has worked around the world, but each creation is unique to its surroundings. Here, he was able to incorporate trees

in the forest into the sculpture itself. And its peaked towers and gaping skylights were included to accommodate winter snows.

are not surprised at this at all,” Dougherty says. “They would build it if they could get enough good sticks.”

On the evening the sculpture was unveiled, dozens of grownups wandered through and around the sculpture, gawping at its scale. But he knows our youngest visitors are in on its deepest secrets.

See Hopscotch all winter long.

Timed tickets and advanced reservations are required (members included). Make your reservation at wildcenter.org today.

“I expect that kids, who know that sticks are imaginative objects,

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TWINKLE TWINKLE

photo: Carolyn McGraw Walker

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Winter is cold. Night is dark. Put them together (and add 60,000 tiny bulbs), and you get Wild Lights—our all-winter-long, eye-popping light display in Forest Music and on Wild Walk. Join the 13,000 people who came out last year or do it again, and see what we have in store for the second season of this new favorite.

Members-only opening, Friday, Nov. 26. Open to public Saturday, Nov. 27.

RSVP required.

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MAPLE NATION In Mohawk, sugar maples (Acer saccharum) are known as wahta. They command a significant place in Indigenous traditions. There are more sugar maples than humans in the region known to native people as “Maple Nation,” which stretches from from west of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Sugar maples are a common link among everything living here: They provide food and shelter for animals and people, nutrients for soil and plants, filtration for water.

Countless generations of Algonquian, Haudenosaunee and Wabanaki peoples, among others, have gathered maple sap in the Adirondacks using various techniques, some depicted here by artist John Fadden. But climate change threatens to upend that tradition. Warming winters harm sugar maples, and shift their habitats northward. And as the maples are threatened, so is the ecosystem that relies on these towering giants.

In spring 2022, a new exhibit will give you the opportunity to explore Maple Nation, learn about the scientific and cultural importance of maples, and find ways that you might act in deeper harmony with maple forests.

Maple Nation is part of our ongoing Ways of Knowing partnership with the Akwesasne Cultural Center, the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center, the Native North American Travelling College, and the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.

illustration: John Fadden

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HOME GROWN Fearless isn’t the first word that comes to mind when describing a lot of museums. But that’s how Libby Clark thinks of The Wild Center. And it’s why she was so excited to come home to the Tri-Lakes region and become our new membership and appeals officer.

“I knew The Wild Center, growing up in Saranac Lake,” she says. “Everyone is so fearless when it comes to thinking outside the box and doing new things, and pushing the boundaries in a really good way in the museum field, and that really appealed to me.”

Clark takes over for Tim Holmes, who retired in August after a 10-year career at The Wild Center. She joined us from the Mercer Museum, a Pennsylvania institution housed in a concrete castle filled with a collection of 50,000 pre-Industrial tools. And she’s reveled in the change of scenery, going from a six-story edifice to the heart of nature.

“It’s dawned on me, over the years, how much I really love the Adirondacks and how much I love living up here,” she says. “This is a great position to really share that passion with other people. I want them to realize nature is everywhere—you can walk out your door, wherever you are, and see something inspirational. And our members make it possible for us to make those connections.”

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CREATURE FEATURE Meet Norris the woodchuck. Get it? Chuck? Norris? It’s a bit of a misnomer: He’s more likely to nibble your finger than break it.

Norris arrived late this summer from a nature center in Michigan where his handlers noticed his eyesight was not so great.

Sometimes that indicates a head injury, but he’s OK. Come meet him soon!

NAME: Groundhog (Marmota monax). You can also call it a whistlepig, land beaver, monax, thickwood badger or a woodchuck, among other things.

DIET: Leafy plants and vegetables.

WEIGHT: Norris is a little heavier than 6 pounds. When fully grown, he may weigh as much as 14 pounds.

LONG WINTER NAP: While many animals slow down during winter, groundhogs are true hibernators: Their heart rate and metabolism slow drastically, and they lose up to half their body weight. Norris won’t be hibernating here.

HOW MUCH WOOD—: The answer is none: A woodchuck does not chuck wood. It got its name from an Algonquian word, wuchak, which described a host of similarly sized woodland creatures.

THAT THING ATE MY GARDEN! Woodchucks aren’t universally beloved. They can eat up to a pound of food a day, roughly the equivalent of a 150-pound person eating an 11-pound steak, and their burrows can damage farm equipment. But they’re important parts of the ecosystem: Their extensive burrows aerate soil, and are used for shelter by other animals. And they’re a food source for foxes, coyotes and other animals.

I WANT ONE. We know. We’ve all fallen in love with Norris. But woodchucks don’t make great house pets. They’re members of the squirrel family, and like squirrels, they love to climb and chew things, and would probably cause a fair bit of chaos.

WHEN CAN WE MEET HIM? Soon! Right now, he’s still in quarantine, so we can be sure he’s not carrying parasites or other diseases. We’re starting to train him to use a harness, though, so we can bring him out on a leash.

WILL SPRING COME EARLY? Ask us on February 2.

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TOTALLY PUMPED When it comes to taking steps to put the brakes on climate change, Wild Center staff are walking the walk. From time to time, we’ll highlight some of the things we’ve done to do our part.

When Erin Griffin and her husband, Andy Testo, bought their Saranac Lake home in 2019, it was already energy efficient. But the house, a cozy bungalow, still relied on fossil

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fuels for heat. That gnawed at Erin, the manager of our Youth Climate Program.

“I told Andy, ‘We’re getting this house off of propane as soon as possible. It’s driving me crazy.’”

Their solution was to install an air source heat pump. The device draws heat from indoors to outside, or vice versa—which means it can keep your home

cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.

The pump uses a small fraction of the energy needed to operate a traditional heating system. So it’s good for the environment,

“As homeowners, we have a responsibility to use less energy and use more renewable, locally generated electricity.” and the wallet. The Griffins had spent $2,500 on propane their first winter in the house. The new system is expected to cost just $500 to $1,000 in electricity a year, including hot water. And because they subscribe to an electricity provider that sources its power from hydroelectric dams, the system has no carbon footprint.

“We’re really happy with the heat pump so far,” Erin says.

“As homeowners, we have a responsibility to use less energy and use more renewable, locally generated electricity.”

HOW DOES IT WORK? You already own a heat pump: Your refrigerator. First, it transfers the warmth inside your refrigerator to a refrigerant.

Then a compressor turns the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid, which releases that heat outside the fridge. Finally, the liquid is converted to a gas again, and the cycle continues.

A home heat pump works the same way. In summer, warm air inside the house is transferred outside; in winter, the cycle is reversed. (It’s weird to think that frigid Adirondack air can be used to heat your house. But as long as the air temp stays above -10˚ F or so, heat pumps can work in winter.) Other kinds of heat pumps, like geothermal ones, use different methods, but they work on the same principle.

SAVE THE PLANET (AND MONEY) The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers rebates, low-interest loans and even no-upfront-cost financing arrangements. After rebates, the Griffins paid $15,000 for their project—a good portion of which was the cost of retrofitting their house with air ducts.

Other energy efficiency upgrades may deliver more bang for the buck at your house, though.

NYSERDA also offers free energy audits to help you determine the best steps to take.

Learn more at cleanheat.ny.gov or nyserda.ny.gov.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Beginning in summer 2022, we’ll present Climate Solutions, an exhibit highlighting work done by people throughout the region to solve the challenge of climate change. Make plans to find your own place in the movement.

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Pass the Hat, Pay it Forward For Michelle LeBlanc Blair, the pandemic delivered one hit after another. First, her bar, P-2’s Irish Pub in Tupper Lake, was forced to close.

Then, after 26 years, she lost a career that had taken her all over the country.

But she knew few places compared to the Adirondacks, and Tupper, where she was born. One of her favorite parts about living here, besides the mountains, lakes and hiking: “If you need a helping hand, somebody is always available,” she says.

So when she reopened P-2’s in May, her first instinct was to help others. Blair launched a series of 48 concerts—three a week, all summer long—with proceeds from a nightly raffle to be split among patrons, 14

musicians and a cause of each act’s choosing. She called it the “Trinity Drawing.” Our Youth Climate Summit was among the first causes to earn support: When folk musician Laura Thurston said she wanted to donate to a local organization teaching children about the environment, Blair told her, “I have a really great idea for you.”

In fact, Blair has supported The Wild Center even before it opened, and at a time when she lived across the country.

She was instantly drawn to our educational mission. And after taking over her father’s bar in 2006, she saw firsthand another aspect of our mission: To bolster the local economy.

She didn’t have to look any farther than the families who

came to the pub, our visitor badges stuck on their shirts.

All of it, together, is why Blair has planned ahead to leave a legacy gift to The Wild Center.

By joining the Linda Vaughan Society, she’s providing for a place that touches on so many things important to her. Knowing she’ll be part of The Wild Center long into the future “warms my heart,” she says, sitting at a table in the corner of her bar, a photo of her father holding an oversized bottle of whiskey behind her.

She’s hoping others will follow in her footsteps, no matter how much, or little, they can add.

“Do you want to contribute to something bigger than you?

To have a greater reach?

That’s just a decision only you can make,” she says. “And I’ve always tried to give. My dad instilled that in me. He didn’t have two nickels to rub together. But he would give you the shirt off his back.”

For more information about providing a legacy gift for The Wild Center, contact Hillarie Logan-Dechene at hlogandechene@wildcenter.org or Robin Ellis at rellis@wildcenter. org, or call 518-359-7800.

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WHEEL

FREEDOM 16

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Cory Lee gets around— he’s been to seven continents and 39 countries, and he writes a popular blog about accessible travel. So when he says that not only are we wheelchair friendly, but that we “may be the Adirondacks’ best attraction,” well, we’re extra flattered.

You can see more from @curbfreecorylee at his Instagram page—and you should definitely get a taste of the wild outdoors with a trip to The Wild Center.

OTHER WILD SHOTS

TOP TO BOTTOM: @barkpaperscissors @kellyraecross @jhill0919 @snitchols Do you have a camera?

(Of course you do!) Take your best shot next time you’re here and tag it #WILDCENTER on Instagram— maybe you’ll see it in the next Otter.

A WILD WINTER AWAITS All visitors to The Wild Center, including members, must reserve a ticket in advance, either online or by phone. Timed reservations help keep all visitors safe by managing crowd size. Masks are required at all times indoors and when social distancing is not possible outside.

• Wild Lights Fri & Sat, Nov. 26–Feb. 26, all week Dec. 26–Jan. 1 and Feb. 18–26, 5–7 p.m.

See Wild Walk after dark, immerse yourself in Forest Music and experience our Stickwork sculpture Hopscotch in winter for the first time, while surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights. Members: Free until Dec. 31, $5 after. Nonmembers: Adult, $10; Youth (5-17), $5; 4-under, free.

• Winter Wild Walk Daily, weather dependent See sweeping mountain vistas and capture the season’s magic on our elevated walk through the treetops. Accessibility is limited and not guaranteed. Please dress for winter weather, as it may be slippery and cold.

• Snowshoeing, Kicksledding & Ice Fishing Snowshoeing & Kicksledding: Snow dependent.

Fishing: January & February, ice dependent.

Borrow snowshoes or a kicksled and take off on our snowy trails. Or head to Greenleaf Pond and learn about ice fishing techniques and the amazing winter lives of fish. Equipment provided. Free for members and with paid admission.

• Friday Night Lights and Flights December–February, dates TBA Add to your Wild Lights experience by enjoying a local craft beer next to a campfire.

• Sensory Friendly Sundays, Dec. 5, Jan. 2, Feb. 6 and March 6, 2–5 p.m.

For individuals and families who prefer a quiet, less stimulating environment.

Sounds will be turned down, and sensory-friendly activities and designated quiet spaces will be available. Sensory packs will be available to borrow. Preregistration required. Members, free. Non-members: First adult, free; additional adults, $10; youth, $5.

Give the Gift of Nature

Keep the Wild Center spirit alive even if you’re far away. The Wild Supply Co.’s extensive online store has games, books, gift baskets, food, jewelry, clothes, and more. Take care of all your holiday shopping at the-wild-supply-co.myshopify.com.

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• Winter Week Monday, Feb. 21–Friday, Feb. 25 Uncover the mysteries of how Adirondack animals survive in winter, venture the trails on snowshoes, and see how the world changes with the seasons in Planet Adirondack. Free for members and with paid admission.

• Homeschool Days Fridays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25 On every Friday in March, we invite homeschool families and students to delve into the natural world and awaken curiosity. Free for members. Non-members: Adult (18+), $10; youth (5-17), $5. Reservations required.

• Maple Season March After cool nights and warm spring days, we’ll fire up our Sugar Shack. Try a sample of freshly made syrup and hang out by the campfire.

• You Otter Run Saturday, May 14 Walk, run, skip, or slide in celebration of spring at this year’s outdoor 5k fun run.

Digital Programs • Lunchtime Live Saturdays and Sundays Tune in Saturdays for a mindful moment in nature and check in Sundays with one of our Animal Ambassadors.

• Reflections on COP26: Youth Delegates Report Back December; Date TBA Hear from our youth delegates who attended the UN climate change conference in Glasgow in this virtual panel.

• Animal Club Tuesday, Jan. 11, Feb. 15, March 15, May 10 Meet a new member of our menagerie each month. Hang out with otters, kestrels, turtles and more during these 45-minute virtual programs. Then, partake in animal-inspired challenges that merge art and science. Members, free; non-members, $15.

• Science of the Seasons: Gardening for Climate Action May A garden can be beautiful as well as resilient and beneficial to wildlife. Learn tips this spring as part of this new virtual series. Members, free; non-members, $15.

Fees apply where noted. Many events have limited space—please register early.

See all the details at wildcenter.org/events 19

Stephanie Ratcliffe Executive Director

Karen K. Thomas Chair

The Wild Center is a not-forprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered as an educational institution by the New York State Board of Regents.

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