Living Lands is the LGLC’s summer 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 4905 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing, NY at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required, as space is limited.
We also offer a Virtual Online Presentation via Zoom.
2026 Presentations:
July 15: Wardboro’s Land Conservation Story
Presented by Jeff Brozyna
The hamlet of Wardboro was settled along Northwest Bay Brook at the border between Bolton and Hague in the early 1800s. The saga of how this virgin forestland was cleared for small family farms, preserved by NY State and reforested by Depression era CCC workers will be told through maps, photos and stories about the people who made it happen.
About the Speaker: Jeff Brozyna, former Interim Director at the LGLC and current Advisory Board Member, is an avid history buff and detailed presenter.
This program is available in person at the LGLC office (Registration) and online (Virtual Zoom).
July 22: The Islands of Lake George – Exploring the History and Mysteries
Presented by Noah Chirnomas
The Islands of Lake George, by author Noah Chirnomas, reveals the rich history of 125 named islands on the lake. He spent three years poring through archives at museums and libraries, as well as the private collections of longtime locals, in an effort to piece together long-forgotten history of the lake’s beautiful islands.
During this slideshow presentation filled with photographs, newspaper clippings, and artwork, Noah will share the stories of how he uncovered his most interesting historical finds. He’ll discuss topics including:
- Who did King George III deed an island to in 1774?
- Which island did Georgia O’Keefe include in a painting?
- Whose beautiful island homes were saved by being dragged across the ice to the mainland?
- How did a relaxing day trip to an island lead to a massacre during the American Revolution?
About the Speaker: Noah is now 22 years old and lives in New Jersey. He spends time on Lake George every year and enjoys kayaking, exploring the lake, and learning about its history. He is also the author of Dome Island: Forever Wild on Lake George.
Book signing will follow with copies of his books available for sale.
This program is available in person at the LGLC office (Registration) and on line (Zoom Link).
August 5: Hotels of the Narrows
Presented by Ted Caldwell
“Five Hotels of the Narrows” is a historical presentation by Bolton Landing historian Ted Caldwell focusing on the iconic luxury resorts that populated the Lake George Narrows region.
The presentation highlights the history of these now vanished landmarks, and the era they represented.
The talk covers the history of these early 19th-century hotels which were typically boat-accessible, grand, often secluded hotels that once defined the area’s often-overlooked tourism.
These hotels were historically significant for being accessible only by water in the late 1800s and early 1900s, according to local history.
About the Speaker: Presented by Edgar M. Caldwell. Also known as Ted, is a retired builder and educator and is currently the Town of Bolton Historian. He has a B.A. in Economics from the College of Wooster and an M.S. Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the State University of New York.
This program is available in person at the LGLC office (Registration) and on line (Zoom Link).
August 26: Black Bears in the ADKs
Presented by Charlotte Demers
The Black Bear is one of the largest mammals found in the Adirondacks, yet it is mostly inactive for up to five months of the year. Wildlife technician Charlotte Demers will talk about the natural history of this omnivorous mammal and the physical and behavioral characteristics of Black Bears that make them so well adapted to our northern climate.
About the Speaker: Charlotte Demers has spent more than 35 years working as a research technician at the SUNY ESF Newcomb Campus. She has worked with North American Beavers, Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, small mammals, game birds and songbirds as well as investigating the habitat requirements of these species.
This program is available in person at the LGLC office (Registration) and on line (Zoom Link).
Presentations from previous years are available to view on our YouTube channel ― LGLandConservancy ― at any time! Click here for the series!
We strive to engage our community by presenting free interesting programs that provide educational experiences to 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!