Exploring Nature in the Adirondack Mountains:
Interpretive Snowshoe Walks
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
5 January through 12 March 2016, 10:00 AM through noon
Mammals of the Adirondack Park: White-tailed Deer
Come to the VIC to get outside for fresh air and exercise and learn a little about nature and cultural history on the way. Diane Minutilli, former US Forest Service Interpretive Naturalist, will work with Paul Smith’s College students to offer a variety of natural and cultural history walks designed to get you outside this winter. All walks are open to the general public.
We'll scan the trails for animal tracks commonly found in this wetland and mixed forest ecosystem, such as: mole, vole, hare, grouse, deer, bobcat, and American martin.- We'll also listen and watch for the bird species which normally make the VIC their home in the winter, including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, White-winged Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Pine Siskin.
- The VIC trails also offer examples of how plants adapt to the cold Adirondack winters. Deciduous trees, like Sugar Maples and Paper Birch, shed their leaves in the fall, although some (like the American Beech) retain their golden brown leaves through much of the winter. Most fir trees, like the Balsam Fir and Eastern White Pine, retain their needles in winter. The Tamarack (American Larch) is an exception; it adapts to the winter chill by shedding its needles in the fall.
- Depending on where our walk takes us, we'll look for signs of how natural and manmade forces shape the landscape and learn how Heron Marsh was formed.
The walks start at 10:00 AM and end around noon. Participants meet in the VIC building. The cost is $20 per person for each interpretive walk and includes your trail pass. Season Pass Holders pay $15; Friends of the VIC with a Season Ski Pass pay $10 per session.
Please pre-register by 5:00 PM the day before. Trail walks will be offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through March 12 weather permitting. Call us for family and group rates.