Join us for the 2020 Guided River Tours
For the second year in a row, we are happy to provide Guided River Tours. Join our staff and guest naturalists for outdoor education programming featuring themes of river ecology and stewardship in the Ausable River Watershed. River Tours are designed to engage local citizens of all ages in outdoor recreational activities, while also inspiring participants to be active stewards of their local environment. Celebrate or kindle your appreciation for the natural beauty of the Ausable Valley; and leave with a better understanding of what threatens our local environment - and what you can do to inspire responsible stewardship in your community.
What To Expect
Riverwalking Experience: Picture it now...You're wading through an Adirondack river on a warm summer day. Feel the movement of the ever-present flow of the river, the contrast of its coolness as you learn the textures of the riverbed. Fluffy clouds are moving across a bright blue sky, the light playing on the water. You're surrounded by lush greenery. The only sounds are the bubbling of the river and the birds calling out to each other. Share a unique and fun experience together and build resilience, while fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and place. Discover the beauty of the Ausable River from a new and low-impact vantage, as you wade the river in a small group with all senses engaged. Your guide will be there every step of the way to assist in heightening your senses to all the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the river so you can experience nature in a new way. Slow down, unplug...the river will do the rest. Waders, wading boots and wading staff included.
Paddling Tours: Join our staff on a paddling tour of the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail at Lake Everest. Participants will learn basic paddling skills and canoe safety as well as information on the natural history of the Ausable River and Lake Everest. The tour will loosely follow the self-guided paddling trail, but there will be plenty of opportunities to discuss and learn about the river and watershed. The tour will be approximately 2.5 miles of paddling on Lake Everest. The lake is an impoundment on the Ausable River and therefore has a mild to moderate current. The tour will paddle upstream to the head of the lake stopping at several locations to discuss the natural history of the area.
Guided Hikes: We are offering three easy hikes, one to Ausable Marsh, one to Owen/Copperas Pond, and one on forest and river trails at Asgaard Farm. Ausable River Association staff will demonstrate field research techniques and describe our work along the way. Guest naturalists will provide interpretation of the surrounding landscape, including flora and fauna, bird life, and natural history.
Special Programs: In addition to the programs above, we are offering a Leave No Trace tips and tricks workshop and a bat and moth research night. Each of these programs are educational and interactive. You can find more information below.
COVID-19 Safety: Due to COVID-19 safety considerations, there is a maximum of 8 participants per trip, and registration in advance is required. Participants traveling from any states that meet New York’s criteria for mandatory quarantine must have self-isolated for 2 weeks before attending. Social distancing will be strictly followed, and all participants are required to bring a mask. Ausable River Association will provide hand sanitizer and all recreational equipment will be sanitized before and after use. Additional safety protocols with specific instructions for each tour will be emailed to registered participants prior to the tour.
These are FREE programs, though donations are accepted. All trips are subject to the weather, and the day after each event currently stands as the rain date. If you have questions regarding these programs, please email events@ausableriver.org or call (518) 637-6859.
Schedule and Sign-Up
All Trips will last two to four hours. Tours are FREE and open to the public and all ages and families* are welcome. There is a maximum of 8 participants per trip, and registration in advance is required. To register, email events@ausableriver.org.
- Saturday, August 8: Riverwalking Experience, 8:30 am – 11:30am (This trip is currently full, but feel free to email us to be added to the waiting list; thank you.)
Theme: Connecting your senses to the river
Discover the beauty of the Ausable River from a new and low-impact vantage, as you wade the river with all senses engaged. Your guide will be there every step of the way to assist in heightening your senses to all the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the river so you can experience nature in a new way. The experience stays in a tight geographic area, doesn't take place near anglers, and does not disturb riverbed (cobble) and banks. Read more here: https://www.adirondackriverwalking.com/riverwalking.html - Saturday, August 15: Leave No Trace Tips and Tricks, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Theme: Low-impact recreation
Have you ever wondered how to ensure bears don’t get into your food at night? What about the best way to build a safe campfire? Join staff member Tyler Merriam, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, for a fun and interactive workshop about how to apply the 7 principles of Leave No Trace to your next outdoor adventure. Come prepared to move around while you participate in some fun and COVID-safe games and activities. - Saturday, August 22: Moth and Bat Research Night, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm (This trip is currently full, but feel free to email us to be added to the waiting list; thank you.)
Theme: Nightlife of the Ausable watershed
AsRA Board member and conservation biologist/zoologist Dr. Larry Master will conduct a program highlighting our local bat and moth fauna. He will use a bat detector hooked to a computer so that participants can listen to and view the bat echolocation calls and learn how to identify whatever bats might be passing nearby. As many as 9 species once occured in the Ausable watershed, but only 4-5 species are now present and one of those has suffered more than a 90% decline. Larry will also set up a mercury vapor light to attract some of the many species of night flying moths and other insects in the area to a sheet for closer inspection. - Saturday, August 29: Paddle on Lake Everest to Wildlife Refuge, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Theme: Wildlife of the Ausable watershed
Follow the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail** to the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge. We will dock here and walk to the refuge. A wolf and bear expert will meet us there and will teach the group about wolves, black bears, and their role in nature. There are plenty of other animals to view after the presentation, including bald eagles, owls, bobcat, and more. - Saturday, September 12: Paddle on Lake Everest, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Theme: Invasive species
Follow the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail** and use your eyes and ears to locate and identify birds, insects, fish, and mammals that call Lake Everest their home! We recommend bringing binoculars and polarized lenses for better wildlife viewing. - Saturday, September 26: Hike at Asgaard Farm, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Theme: Flora and fauna of the Ausable watershed
Join naturalist, author, videographer and Adirondack guide Ed Kanze on a three-hour ramble at beautiful, historic Asgaard Farm. We’ll walk through open fields and woods and take in whatever serendipity sends flowing our way. Possibilities include migrating raptors, breeding goldfinches, fall wildflowers, and early fall color. - Saturday, October 3: Hike to Owen and Copperas Pond (moderate - 2.5 Miles), 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Theme: Adirondack Fish, Beavers, and Environmental DNA
Join AsRA biologists for an 2.4-mile round hike with moderate elevation change leading to two beautiful and secluded ponds. We’ll spend time learning about Adirondack fishes, beavers, and ways that our biologists study these animals and the threats that they face. Bring lots of water and sturdy hiking boots! Read more about the hike here https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/trailmapowencopperas.pdf - Saturday, October 10: Birding Hike at Ausable Marsh, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Theme: Birds of the Ausable Watershed
AsRA Board member and conservation biologist/zoologist Dr. Larry Master will lead a bird walk to Ausable Marsh at the mouth of the Ausable River. Duck and sparrow migration will be underway and there is an excellent chance to see bald eagles, lingering shorebirds, and other species.
*Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
**Canoes or kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided for paddling trips. You can bring your own canoe or kayak if you wish, but please ensure that you have cleaned, drained, and dried it before transportation. Additionally, if you bring your own boat also remember to bring a paddle and life jacket.
To register, email events@ausableriver.org.
This FREE program has been made possible by an Education Grant awarded to the Ausable River Association by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency through the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. Matching funds have been provided by the Town of Wilmington, Adirondack Riverwalking, Edward Kanze, and Asgaard Farm.
