June 25, 2026
When Waters Rise: Adirondack Flooding Risk, Response, and Resilience Conference at The Wild Center
When Waters Rise brings together scientists, artists, and community leaders on August 6, 2026
Tupper Lake, N.Y. – The Wild Center, in collaboration with regional partners from across the Adirondacks, will host When Waters Rise: Adirondack Flooding Risk, Response, and Resilience on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 9 am to 1 pm. The conference will bring together scientists, artists, emergency responders, community leaders, educators, and residents to examine flooding in the Adirondacks and identify pathways toward greater resilience.
Water is central to life in the Adirondacks, shaping its ecosystems, communities, and identity. Yet increasingly intense storms and changing weather patterns are bringing new challenges to the region. Through presentations, discussion, and shared experiences, participants will explore the causes and impacts of flooding, hear stories of recovery and adaptation, and consider how communities can work together to prepare for future high-water events.
The event is designed for a broad audience, including local residents, conservation professionals, educators, emergency managers, outdoor recreationists, researchers, and students. Registration is open at wildcenter.org/flooding. Day-of registration will be available beginning at 8 am, space permitting. Tickets are $40 for Wild Center members and $45 for non-members. Seating is limited. Advance registration is strongly encouraged.
Through science, art, and local perspectives, the conference will explore how Adirondack communities are responding and adapting to flood-related challenges through panel discussions and breakout sessions. Attendees will be able to continue the conversation with optional afternoon field trips to regional sites. Whether you work in science, government, emergency management, or simply care about your community, this event will connect you with the knowledge, tools, and people shaping the future of flood resilience in the Adirondacks.
Program Highlights:
- Keynote address — Rivers and Resilience: Our Shared Future by Tim Koch, Stream Restoration Specialist, NYSDEC / NYS Water Resources Institute
- Opening talk — Adirondack Waters with ecologist Dr. Curt Stager
- Arts panel — moderated by Merle McGee of ADKX, featuring Mohawk artist Iakonikonriiosta, Chief Curator Laura Rice, and textile artist Joy Muller-McCoola
- Community Panel — Risk, Response and Resilience, moderated by Sunita Halasz of the Adirondack Council, featuring town supervisors, county emergency services leaders, and watershed advocates
- Breakout sessions — hands-on and discussion-based learning focused on culvert design and flood resilience, community flood preparedness, shoreline health assessment, and stream restoration
Optional afternoon programming from 2 to 4 pm will provide opportunities to continue the conversation through field experiences, guided walks, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Participants can explore topics such as flood ecology, watershed health, shoreline resilience, infrastructure adaptation, and community preparedness while connecting with experts and practitioners from across the region.
"The Adirondacks are defined by water, and our communities are increasingly shaped by how that water moves," said Jen Kretser, Director of Climate Initiatives at The Wild Center. "This conference is an opportunity to learn from scientists and neighbors alike about flooding and resilience in a changing climate — and to leave with real tools for what comes next."
When Waters Rise is presented by The Wild Center in collaboration with regional partners, including Adirondack Climate Outreach and Resilience Network (ACORN), Adirondack Experience, Adirondack Council, Adirondack Watershed Institute, Ausable Freshwater Center, Brookfield Renewables, Cornell University, The Nature Conservancy, Paul Smith's College, and SUNY ESF.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Organizations interested in supporting the event should visit wildcenter.org/flooding or contact Hillarie Logan-Dechene at hlogan-dechene@wildcenter.org or Libby Clark at lclark@wildcenter.org by July 17, 2026.
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