Wild Lights Headlines New Outdoor Winter Programming at The Wild Center

Wild Lights Headlines New Outdoor Winter Programming at The Wild Center
Remains open with Winter Wild Walk, Wild Lights and more

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Wild Center is excited to announce Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas, Inc., a dazzling display that will transform The Wild Center's campus into a winter wonderland. Wild Lights offers a whole new way to celebrate the season, with thousands of enchanting lights that will illuminate the campus all winter long, with special nighttime viewing hours on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning Fri., Dec. 11. The Wild Center, which plans to remain open throughout the winter season, will also offer familiar activities, such as Winter Wild Walk and snowshoeing, as well as new ones like kicksledding and the outdoor winter otter play yard.

With Wild Lights, visitors will be able to bask in the glow of the award-winning Wild Walk and stroll through Forest Music while surrounded by immersive music and lights - curated specifically for the looped trail. Hot beverages and warm food options will also be available for purchase with a credit card. Warming huts and fire pits will be placed throughout the campus to offer a welcome reprieve from the winter weather.

The Wild Center remains committed to the health and safety of its visitors, staff and the wider Tupper Lake community. As such, it has implemented limited capacity, COVID-related operational procedures-including mask requirements for all visitors over the age of 2 and social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning protocols and cashless transactions. As a precaution indoor exhibits are temporarily closed.

"In these admittedly challenging times, we are excited to be offering new seasonal activities that allow visitors to The Wild Center to create new memories while they enjoy the beauty and peace of mind of being outdoors with family and friends," said Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Deputy Director of The Wild Center. "The addition of Wild Lights will transform our campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience that we hope will become a new North Country holiday tradition."

Visitors to The Wild Center can continue to enjoy Winter Wild Walk, a platformed trail along the treetops providing stunning views of the ice-capped Adirondack mountains. There will also be plenty of snow fun, including a snowball-throwing range and winter skeeball. In addition, multiple wintry photo stations have been set up for the perfect family photo.

Free snowshoe rentals will allow guests to explore the trails throughout the 115-acre campus. And new this year, guests can also discover the outdoor activity that millions of Scandinavians have loved for generations: kicksledding. Free kicksled rentals let guests kick, glide and zip along trails with ease. Other winter programming includes viewing areas of the animal ambassadors that call The Wild Center home and a behind-the-scenes look at the Center's otters from their outdoor play yard. Watch as the river otters roll, hop, and slide through the snow!

The Wild Center is open Fridays through Sundays throughout the winter. Reservations for both experiences are required for all guests and members. Wild Lights is included with day-time Wild Center reservations (10am-5pm). Guests may also make Wild Lights- only reservations (Fri. and Sat. from 5pm-7pm). Wild Lights-only reservations are free for members, $10 for adults, and $5 for youth.

Support for The Wild Center was provided by I LOVE NY/New York State's Division of Tourism through the Market New York program. For more information on guidelines and reservations, refer to The Wild Center's Visit page: www.wildcenter.org/visit/.

The Wild Center to Hold Haunted Drive-In
Immersive experience brings scares from the safety of your car

For Immediate Release: October 22, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Wild Center has reimagined Halloween with a new, haunted drive-in. The first of its kind from The Wild Center, this immersive experience brings scares to you in the safety of your parked vehicle. On Oct. 24, 30 and 31, guests will watch fan-favorite horror movies on the big screen while surrounded by real life scares. Parking begins at 6:00 p.m. and movies will play at 7:00 p.m.

Family Friendly Night for the Haunted Drive-in will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24 with the showing of Casper. For this event, carloads are $20 for non-members and $15 for members. During Halloween weekend, admission is $25 per carload for non-members and $20 per carload for members. All spots must be reserved in advance online at www.wildcenter.org/haunteddrivein.

Dates and movies are as follows:

• Saturday, Oct. 24: Family Friendly Night: Casper (1995) - Rated PG
• Friday, Oct. 30: Friday the 13th (1980) - Rated R
• Saturday, Oct. 31: The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Rated R

Composting toilets will be available for attendee use and are located at both ends of The Wild Center's parking lot. Per New York State regulations, masks and physical distancing are required for all guests when outside of their vehicle. In addition to their theatrical masks, all staff will be wearing protective face coverings.

For more information on the Haunted Drive-in and to reserve tickets, visit: https://www.wildcenter.org/haunteddrivein/.
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The Wild Center Releases Two Rehabilitated North American River Otters

For immediate release: October 14, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - After five months of rehabilitation, The Wild Center released two female North American river otters in the Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station, a 15,000-acre biological field research station in the Western Adirondacks, on Thursday, Oct. 8.

This otter rehabilitation, a first for The Wild Center, began in May after receiving phone calls from residents in two separate areas within the North Country that had each spotted a five-week-old abandoned pup in the wild. Wild Center curator, Leah Valerio, and the rest of the Animal Care staff worked hand-in-hand with local veterinarian Dr. Nina Schoch to retrieve the pups and transport them to the Center's facilities in Tupper Lake, N.Y.

After spending the requisite month in our wildlife quarantine space, the otters spent their time at The Wild Center learning how to swim and dive, groom their fur, and hunt for fish - skills they would have learned from their mother in the wild. Wild Center staff tracked their progress through live video programs which can be accessed at wildcenter.org/pupdates.

As the seasons changed, the otters were successfully released back into the wild. The Shingle Shanty Preserve will provide an excellent home for the otters. This land includes nine lakes and ponds over acres of hardwood forest, as well as 2,000 acres of wetlands which make the location invaluable to regional biodiversity.

Steve Langdon, Director of Shingle Shanty and an adjunct professor at Clarkson University said, "We picked this spot because of its remoteness. It's about 15 or 20 miles from the nearest road. The wetland area is also a perfect otter habitat. I've been observing otters in this area for the past decade."

About The Wild Center's Otter Program
The Wild Center staff are experts in the care of North American River Otters. In 2017, ZooNation, an organization dedicated to wildlife conservation, named The Wild Center as one of the 10 Best Otter Exhibits in the world. The Center is currently home to five otters: Louie, Scarlett, Squirt, Tawi:ne and Rohsno:re.

"Visitors say that the otters are one of the reasons they come back to visit us over and over again," Valerio said. "They know their names, they know their stories, they know their ages... They really fall in love with the otters and that's great because it inspires a lot of people to care about nature and wildlife."

$449,278 Grant to Help Wild Center Build Climate Literacy in New York
Science center and partners receive three-year NOAA award to work with youth in North Country and Finger Lakes

For Immediate Release: October 5, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - A $449,278 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Literacy Program will support The Wild Center as it helps empower young people to respond to climate change in their communities. The three-year project builds upon a collaboration of The Wild Center, the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) as they support the development of leadership skills for rural youth by creating programming that demonstrates best practices for students and teachers to engage and partner with local municipalities on climate resilience planning. The project, called Empowering Rural Youth for Community Climate Resilience in New York State, will also increase awareness of the New York State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program.

"It's critical for students to learn about climate change-but studies are clear that education alone isn't enough to lead to action," said Stephanie Ratcliffe, executive director of The Wild Center. "We also need to empower students to help their communities prepare for the changes that are likely to affect them."

The grant was one of eight awarded this year from NOAA's Environmental Literacy Program, which supports education programs that use NOAA science to improve ecosystem stewardship and increase resilience to environmental hazards. The project will serve 700-800 rural high school students , 60-80 high school teachers, and 60 youth leaders in New York State. The project is also designed to reach a much wider audience, including 30 rural decision-makers and community members, as well as 50- 60 educators. Project documentation includes a Guide to the NY State Climate Smart Community Program for Students and Educators, and a Youth and Local Government for Climate Resilience Workshop Module, which will benefit other Youth Climate Summits and be disseminated through the online toolkit and through the national network of youth climate summits. Additionally, the project will support a community of practice for informal and formal educators across NY State who are working on new and existing Youth Climate Summits to provide the opportunity to align with the CSC program, collaborate on best practices, and co-create strategies for engagement.

While all of New York State will face urgent climate change-related challenges, every community's response to the issue will differ. In more rural places, such as the Adirondacks, decreased snowfall might impact winter tourism. In the Finger Lakes region, increased flooding from intense storm events is already having an impact on lake water quality.

"Students recognize climate change as a critical issue and want to be part of the solution," states Nadia Harvieux, Education Program Manager at the Finger Lakes Institute. "This project is an exciting opportunity for youth to take action and help create a climate resilient future for their communities, in the Finger Lakes region, Adirondacks and beyond."

The following activities will be supported over the 3-year course of the project: Opportunities for youth to effectively partner with decision-makers in their home communities to work on climate action, engagement and resilience. Youth Climate Summits and intensive Youth Climate Leadership Retreats will increase climate literacy, education and action among high school students. Programming will increase educator comprehension and confidence to prioritize climate change education instruction and student mentoring.

Creation of the New York State Youth Climate Summit Network that will share best practices and actions that align with New York State climate change resilience planning.

"Addressing the challenge of climate change is among Governor Cuomo's highest environmental priorities," said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Our strategy for fighting climate change and implementing the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is dependent on a well-informed, involved public. The Youth Climate Summits demonstrate the passion of New York's young climate leaders and this well-deserved award will bolster the State's ongoing efforts in participants' schools and communities and further inspire young people to become the engaged, knowledgeable, and hopeful adults New York needs now to meet tomorrow's climate challenges."

The NYS DEC's Office of Climate Change will join the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Energy & the Environment, Inc. and NOAA's Climate Program Office to contribute scientific information, resources and tools to the project, helping ensure that it conveys the latest knowledge and reflects statewide goals while serving as a model for other states.

"We are thrilled to be supporting The Wild Center's project. They are a recognized leader in engaging and empowering youth to have a voice in addressing climate impacts now and in the future," said Louisa Koch, NOAA Director of Education. Since 2008, The Wild Center has worked with thousands of high school and college students as well as educators across the region, building climate action plans students can implement in their own schools and communities. The work has garnered national and international notice. To date, the Center has worked with over 40 communities around the world to host over 85 summits in person and now, virtually.

"The best part about this work has been watching young leaders get excited about realizing they can do something about this crisis we're all facing," Ratcliffe said. "And it's exciting to know we'll be working with even more students going forward. They have the optimism, they have the will, they have new and fresh solutions, and they have hope."

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Two Communities Certified as Climate Smart, Inspired by The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program
Village of Saranac Lake is first bronze NYS Climate Smart Community in North Country

For Immediate Release: September 24, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Village of Saranac Lake and the Village of Homer achieved bronze level certification in the NYS Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program, as announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on September 24, 2020, during New York State Climate Week. The youth leaders spearheading the efforts for climate action and resilience within these two communities were inspired in part by The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program and its annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit. Since 2008, this program has brought together 180+ students from 30+ New York State schools to increase their climate literacy and leadership skills.

The NYS Climate Smart Communities Program provides guidance and technical support to local governments to take locally-driven climate action. In order to achieve the bronze level of certification, a specific number of planned and mandatory actions must be completed to receive the required 120 points and four pledge elements. The Village of Saranac Lake is the first to complete these requirements and achieve bronze status within New York's North Country.

"By receiving bronze certification, Saranac Lake has shown leadership in raising public awareness of climate change and lowering our community's carbon footprint," said Cedar Young, a youth leader in the Village of Saranac Lake.

Tucker Jakobe, another youth leader in the Village of Saranac Lake added, "To me, earning bronze certification is an important step from which Saranac Lake can establish a comprehensive plan for achieving net-zero emissions."

Over the past two years, youth leaders in Homer and Saranac Lake have effectively partnered with local leaders and decision-makers in their home communities to take action on climate change, providing valuable contributions, conducting climate-related assessments and delivering solution-focused recommendations.

"Climate change is a global crisis, but it has local solutions, and both youth leaders and local governments are essential to ensuring a more sustainable today and tomorrow," said Andrew Fagerheim, a youth leader in the Village of Homer. "I am proud of the Village of Homer's designation as a bronze certified community because it validates our model of youth as partners, catalysts, and leaders in climate work with their local governments. My work as a youth leader is directly the result of The Wild Center's effort to convene, connect, engage, and empower young people. I am deeply grateful for the impact they have made on my life and on youth empowerment around the world."

During a press conference held in the Village of Saranac Lake, NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the latest round of communities to achieve certification as part of the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program, which supports municipal efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change. In total, 13 communities in the state received CSC certification. Along with the announcement, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation shared a video produced by The Wild Center in partnership with the DEC's Office of Climate Change and NOAA's Climate Program Office. The video features the efforts of youth-led climate change adaptation and resilience planning in Homer and Saranac Lake. It also highlights The Wild Center's Youth Climate Summits as providing these young leaders with sustainable solutions and actions they can take back to their communities, empowering them with important tools and leadership skills to collaborate with local leaders. The video, titled "Youth Catalyze Community Climate Action," is available here: https://www.wildcenter.org/climatesmart/.

In place of this year's Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program is unveiling a new, virtual event series entitled Youth Have Power: Plugging Into Climate Action. The program is a flexible, 3-month menu of evening and weekend sessions for high school students to learn about climate change, decide how to take climate action, and connect with other youth climate leaders. Students who attend five sessions over the three months and complete one action challenge will have officially completed the program and will earn a prize. The virtual event kicks off on September 29 with a Speaker Series featuring Dr. Elizabeth Bagley from Project Drawdown and John Paul Mejia from Sunrise Miami. Registration and additional information can be found here: https://www.wildcenter.org/youth-have-power/.

The Adirondack Youth Climate Summit is a part of The Wild Center's award-winning Youth Climate Program, whose primary objective is to create a climate literate and empowered generation. The Youth Climate Program is funded, in part, through the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

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EVENT ALERT: STAY-IN-STITUTE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION EVENING KEYNOTE: KATHARINE HAYHOE

Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 6:30 PM CDT
EVENT: Katharine Hayhoe Presents Keynote "Climate Change Science & Communication Keynote" at Stay-In-stitute Virtual Conference

The Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education is a virtual conference for educators across the country, hosted in partnership with Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Program Office, and The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program. From July 22-24, 2020, the three-day training will provide educators with skills, tools and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas.

Climate change isn't just a problem for polar bears or future generations - it's affecting us, here and now. Katharine Hayhoe's keynote, "Climate Change Science & Communication Keynote" will discuss how the choices we make today will have
profound impact on our future. The keynote is open to the public and will be streamed via Facebook Live.

Katharine Hayhoe is an accomplished atmospheric scientist who studies climate change and why it matters to us here and now. She is also a professor at Texas Tech University, she hosts the PBS digital series Global Weirding, and she has been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People and Fortune's 50 World's Greatest Leaders.

PHOTO/VIDEO OPP:

• Screenshot or screen record throughout the virtual event
• Interview opportunities with Katharine Hayhoe
• Interview opportunities with Stay-In-Stitute organizers and programming team

WHERE: View the Facebook live stream here: https://www.facebook.com/climategen/
WHEN: Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM CDT
DETAILS:
Information about Katharine Hayhoe's presentation is available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/603194570621262/

Information about The Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education is available
here: https://www.climategen.org/our-core-programs/climate-changeeducation/
professional-development/summer-institute/

EVENT ALERT: STAY-IN-STITUTE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION OPENING KEYNOTE: KELISA WING
Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 9:30 AM CDT

The Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education is a virtual conference for educators across the country, hosted in partnership with Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Program Office, and The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program. From July 22-24, 2020, the three-day training will provide educators with skills, tools and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas.

Kelisa Wing's opening keynote, "Global Competency in the Anti-racist Classroom" is open to the public and will be streamed via Facebook Live. She believes that teachers have a responsibility to prepare students for a complex global interconnected world. During her keynote, she will highlight the necessary inclusion of multiple perspectives in teaching and discuss global equity and diversity in education.

Kelisa Wing is an educator, author, and advocate for social and racial justice in K-12 education. Her journey into the teaching profession began after she was honorably discharged from the United States Army. Wing served as a Youth Consultant for the Self-Expression Teen Theater (SETT) under the United Way in Tolekdo, Ohio. After moving to Germany with her family, she began substitute teaching, then transitioned to a Special Education paraprofessional, was a school secretary, and eventually, an Administrative Officer. She then taught 8th-grade Language Arts and Reading to military-connected students at Faith Middle School in Fort Benning, Georgia, has been an Elementary School Assistant Principal in West Point, New York, and is now a Professional Development Specialist in Virginia.

PHOTO/VIDEO OPP:

• Screenshot or screen record throughout the virtual event
• Interview opportunities with Kelisa Wing
• Interview opportunities with Stay-In-Stitute organizers and programming team

WHERE: View the Facebook live stream here: https://www.facebook.com/climategen/

WHEN: Wednesday, July 22 at 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM CDT

DETAILS:
Information about Kelisa Wing's presentation is available here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/745622426252189/

Information about The Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education is available
here: https://www.climategen.org/our-core-programs/climate-changeeducation/
professional-development/summer-institute/

The Wild Center Announces Drive-In Movie Theater

July 22, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Wild Center has converted a portion of the Meadow parking lot into a drive-in movie theater to provide another safe, outdoor experience to visitors. The Wild Center will be showing family-friendly movies and other "edutainment" on Saturday evenings beginning Saturday, July 25 and running through August. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. for the drive-in and movies begin playing around 9:00 p.m. This physically distant program allows families to spread out in a safe manner while enjoying popular films.

Visitors to The Wild Center, which began their phased re-opening on July 15, can add a Drive-in Movie Experience in the same week as a visit to the Center for just $15 per carload. Guests without Wild Center admission can purchase tickets for $20 per carload, $15 per carload for members. All spots must be reserved ahead of time by phone, email or online at www.wildcenter.org/drivein.

On Saturday, July 25, The Wild Center will be showing "Jurassic Park" on the big screen. The Wild Center is encouraging guests to purchase popcorn from the State Theater, located at 100 Park Street in Tupper Lake. Popcorn orders can be made online at tupperlakemovies.com and are available for curbside pickup starting at 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition, guests to The Wild Center's Drive-In Theater may bring their own food and drinks, and will have access to the on-site drink vending machine.

Composting toilets will be available for attendee use and are located at both ends of The Wild Center's parking lot. In addition to watching from the comfort of their car, guests are able to bring up to two lawn chairs to sit directly in front of their vehicle, which will be parked at least six feet away from other parties. Everyone is required to wear a face covering when outside of their vehicle.

The Wild Center's Drive-In Movie Theater is one example of a new, open-air experience provided by the science-based museum. In addition, The Wild Center is utilizing their Wild Walk platformed trail, Forest Music and other aspects of its largely outdoor 115- acre campus to provide a one-of-a-kind outdoor visit. Reservations are required for The Wild Center's outdoor experience, including the drive-in movie theater.

For more information on reopening, guidelines and reservation information, visit The Wild Center's Visit page: www.wildcenter.org/visit/.

The Wild Center to Reopen July 15

June 26, 2020

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Wild Center is pleased to announce that they will be welcoming visitors back. The Wild Center will begin a phased reopening on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, starting with Wild Walk and outdoor experiences. As a continued commitment to the health and safety of visitors, staff and the wider community, The Wild Center has implemented limited capacity, enhanced operational procedures and cleaning protocols.

"We're excited to welcome visitors, members, staff and volunteers back to our outdoor experiences so that we can continue to make lifelong memories in nature. It was important to us that we not reopen until we were absolutely sure that we could deliver a Wild Center experience that people have grown to know and love while doing so in the safest manner possible," said Stephanie Ratcliffe, Wild Center Executive Director.

"I have been reviewing The Wild Center's reopening preparations and safety planning for the past few months," explained Tupper Lake Mayor Paul Maroun. "I'm excited that we will soon be able to begin to welcome visitors back to the Center and Tupper Lake. I believe the thorough planning and safety measures taking place will help protect not only visitors, but our community as well. The more we can do to keep each other healthy, the sooner we can welcome more visitors back."

Temporary adjustments have been put in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable
experience for everyone. These include:

Outdoor experience: The Wild Center will utilize Wild Walk, Musical Forest and its largely outdoor 115-acre campus to provide a one-of-a-kind experience. During the first phase of reopening, The Wild Center's indoor portion including exhibits, the Flammer Theater, Wild Supply Co. indoor gift shop and the Waterside Cafe (restrooms excepted) will remain temporarily closed. Visitors are encouraged to pack picnic lunches as limited pre-packaged snacks will be available. Curbside pickup of Wild Supply Co. items ordered online will also be available.

Timed ticket reservation system: For your safety, The Wild Center has transitioned completely to a new timed ticket reservation system to manage capacity which limits the number of visitors on campus during a given time. Reservations may be made online, by phone or email prior to arrival and are required for all guests, including members. Timed reservations will be available beginning Monday, June 29. Tickets are valid for one-day only.

Promoting wellness: All Wild Center guests (ages 2 and over), as well as staff and volunteers, will be required to wear face coverings at all times when visiting. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the campus. Wild Center staff will frequently clean and disinfect high traffic areas and restrooms. Visitors are asked to follow one-way directional signage and ground markings which have been installed to help guests better navigate while practicing physical distancing.

Paperless visit: For the safety of visitors and employees, The Wild Center is
temporarily accepting cashless payments only. Paper maps have transitioned to digital maps, which visitors may view on The Wild Center's website, accessible on mobile devices, or through a brand-new Wild Center app. Visitors may also access audio tours and self-lead scavenger hunts through the mobile app.

Although visitors will not have access to the indoor otter exhibit, visitors will be allowed to catch a glimpse of the otters in the behind-the-scenes outdoor otter play yard - a spot normally off-limits to visitors. Wild Center naturalists will hold short live animal encounters and drop-in educational programs throughout the day in specific locations around the outdoor campus. Naturalist-led canoe trips will be available by reservation for an additional fee.

For more information on reopening, guidelines and reservation information, visit The Wild Center's Visit page: www.wildcenter.org/visit/.

The Wild Center will be open seven days a week by reservation from 10am to 5pm from July 15, 2020 to October 11, 2020. From October 12, 2020 to May 30, 2021, The Wild Center will be open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.