For Immediate Release: September 17, 2009
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
PAUL SMITHS, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) at Paul Smiths will again offer its groundbreaking environmental education program titled “Sensory Walk” on Saturday, September 26th. The program includes a trail walk designed to bring people who are visually impaired into the woods to experience the wonders of nature.
The Sensory Walk is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m., on Saturday September 26 and available for people who are visually impaired. People with full eyesight are also welcome to participate in this unique program. A VIC naturalist and a former board member from the North Country Association for the Visually Impaired will lead a trail walk on the Barnum Brook Trail, exploring textures, smells and sounds of the forest.
Governor David Paterson said, “The Adirondack Park Agency’s Visitor Interpretive Centers introduce so many to the wonders of the Adirondack Park. This unique program is an amazing extension of the Agency’s interpretive efforts. I look forward to participating in a future Sensory Walk and applaud the APA for developing this exceptional program.”
“We are proud to again offer our Sensory Walk,” said Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Curtis Stiles, This program teaches participants how to interpret the natural world without the sense of sight.”
Adirondack Park Agency Naturalist Mr. Adams, the program developer and trip leader stated, “Vision is our strongest sense and usually overpowers the other senses. During this walk, we will focus on sensory awareness and attempt to heighten the senses of smell, touch and hearing.”
Mr. Adams will be assisted by Shelly Bamrick, of Saranac Lake, formerly with the North Country Association for the Visually Impaired, serving Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties. She is also a former independent living specialist.
Preregistration is required for this program by calling the Paul Smiths VIC at (518) 327-3000. Admission is free.
Later that afternoon research staff from the Wildlife Conservation Society will discuss their latest findings on Moose in the Adirondacks. “Moose populations in the Adirondacks are on the rebound,” said Heidi Kretser, Conservation Scientist for WCS. “but little is know about them. Our innovative study uses dogs to help find moose scat and the data from those samples allows us, in a noninvasive way, to learn about this once lost Adirondack Species.”
The lecture will be held at 1:00pm in the VIC theater and is free and open to the public.
The New York State Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 by the State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Adirondack Park. With its headquarters located in Ray Brook.
The Agency operates two Visitor Interpretive Centers, in Newcomb and Paul Smiths (www.adkvic.org), which are open year-round, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trails are open every day of the year. The VICs offer a wide array of educational programs, miles of scenic interpretive trails, and visitor information services. Admission is free. For more information about the APA, call (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.state.ny.us.
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