Will is a self-taught photographer whose work includes mainly landscapes and wildlife. You can find him out exploring at all hours of the day, but mostly sunrises, sunsets, and the night sky. He has had his photos featured in several different magazines within Upstate New York and the Adirondack regions, most recently winning the grand prize in Adirondack Life Magazine’s Annual Photo Contest.
Living Lands is the LGLC’s weekly presentation series that takes an exclusive and up-close look at the people, history and wildlife of the lands of Lake George and the Adirondacks, past and present. Presentations are held at the LGLC office in Bolton Landing at 5:30 p.m., with a virtual option on Zoom. Registration is required, as space is limited.
Recordings of previous 2023 Living Lands Series presentations are available here.
June 26: The Birth of the Electric Age
Presented by Pete Nelson
As the threat of devastating climate change increases, the world is rapidly moving to a future where electromagnetic technology replaces fossil-fuel-based machines. Many people believe this technology is new. But in fact, the key discoveries that make an all-electric world possible are not new: they were made two hundred years ago. And where were many of these scientific and technological seeds planted? About nine miles from the northern end of Lake George. Come hear the amazing and little-known story of how an Adirondack electromagnetic revolution changed the world – and set the stage for us to save it.
July 10: Timber Rattlesnakes – How They Live, What They Do
Presented by Dr. Bill Brown
A four-decade career studying Timber Rattlesnakes in the field in northeastern New York allows Dr. William S. Brown to summarize prominent aspects of the species’ natural history. He will frame this talk for outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists who may encounter a rattlesnake in the wild with a focus on the snake’s distribution and active season; its life history and reproductive biology; aspects of this rattlesnake’s behavior when interacting with hikers, campers, and homeowners; effects of the venom and treatment of a rattlesnake bite; and examples of bad things (and some good things) that have happened to Timber Rattlesnakes in our region.
July 17: A Look Through the Lens – Exploring Lake George and Adirondack Landscapes
Presented by William Adamczak
Join us for an introduction to outdoor photography with award-winning photographer William Adamczak, whose serious passion is rooted in capturing the essence of Upstate New York and the Adirondacks with his camera. The talk will touch on basics of getting started with outdoor photography as we explore some of his work.
July 24: Vermiculture – Use Worms to Compost Year-Round
Presented by Bill Richmond, Adk Worm Farm
Learn how red wiggler composting worms can be used to compost indoors, year-round, without odor or pests, and how the castings produced by these worms is the best all-natural plant fertilizer available. Bill Richmond (chief worm wrangler at Adirondack Worm Farm) will discuss different types of worm bins, and how you can make your own. A productive worm bin will be available to see and touch.
July 31: Bats in New York and White Nose Syndrome
Presented by Ashley Meyer, NYSDEC
Since the arrival of white-nose syndrome, many of NY’s bat populations have been devastated. Ashley will discuss the natural history of bats, with a special focus on New York State’s species, dispel some myths, discover why they are such an important component in our natural world and learn about the threats that these wonderful flying mammals face. We will also will learn how the NYSDEC monitors and manages bats and you can help protect them.
Ashley Meyer is a Wildlife Biologist, specializing in bats, for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. In her role, she monitors summer and winter bat populations and supports NYS research projects concerning bats, in addition to providing regulatory oversight of these species. She has previously worked with avian species, including grassland birds and wildlife impacts from renewable energy projects.
August 7: The Basics of Wildcrafting
Presented by Marybeth Mitcham
Join us for a lecture that will provide a brief introduction into how to confidently identify several nutritious, wild-growing plants and fungi commonly found in the northeastern United States. This lecture will inform what parts of the plants are edible, when they should be harvested and how they can be prepared.
August 14: Lake George Battlefield Park History… and Future
Presented by Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance
Joint presenters Margy Mannix, Town of Lake George Historian and Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance Trustee, and John DiNuzzo, President of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance, to follow the history of the site and surrounding properties which played crucial roles during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They will also share the current programs sponsored by the Alliance, as well as plans for the reinterment of 44 soldiers whose remains were uncovered in the village of Lake George in 2019.
August 21: Road-Stream Crossing Replacements – Improving Aquatic Organism Passage and Community Resiliency
Presented by Jacob Fetterman, Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited and partners across the region are working with municipalities to prioritize and replace failing infrastructure to benefit aquatic organisms (such as brook trout) and the communities that rely on these transportation corridors.
Jacob Fetterman is a Project Manager for Trout Unlimited’s Northeast Coldwater Habitat Program, working primarily in northern NY. Jacob has a background in Fisheries Management and translates his knowledge and awareness of adaptive management to assessing, planning, implementing, and monitoring reconnection and restoration projects to benefit wild and native trout.
CANCELED: Road Salt Reduction Efforts in the Adirondacks
Presented by Hannah Grall, AdkAction
Join AdkAction for a discussion on why road salt is an issue, history of the usage of road salt in our region, what AdkAction and partner organizations have been doing to address road salt pollution in our waterways. We will talk about the Clean Water Safe Roads Network – a network of highway department supervisors and crews who are leading the charge in salt reduction and share information about our Don’t Be Salty Adk public outreach and education campaign.
Presentations from previous years are available to view on our YouTube channel ― LGLandConservancy ― at any time! Click here for the series!
As always, we strive to engage you, presenting unique and interesting programs for free in an attempt to connect to the community, provide educational experiences and learn more about the amazing area we live in and why our lands and waters are so important. If you have an idea for a presenter, feel free to contact us!