“We’re grateful to offer these popular free tours for another year. These immersive experiences are accessible opportunities for residents and visitors to better understand the Ausable and to engage with watershed ecology” said Kelley Tucker, executive director of the Ausable Freshwater Center.

This year’s trips will allow visitors to experience a variety of locations throughout the AuSable River and its neighboring watersheds. Tours will include the return of favorite programs and additions based on requests. Birding and mushroom walks are back, along with a nature paddling trip on Lake Everest. New for 2024 are a geologic tour of the watershed and more botany programs.

“It’s rewarding to play a role in getting so many people outside and learning. These tours include people of all ages in outdoor recreational activities and inspire participants to actively steward their local environment.” said Carolyn Koestner, AFC outreach associate.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

All guided watershed tours are free and open to the public, though donations are accepted. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tours will last two to four hours and we only cancel programs if the weather is dangerous, so programs will be held rain or shine. Tours are capped between 10 and 15 participants, and registration in advance is required.

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Nature Paddle on Lake Everest

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Held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Wilmington town beach. The theme is “Life Along the West Branch.” During this interpretive paddle on Lake Everest, participants are guided through the AuSable Paddling Nature Trail on the West Branch of the AuSable River. They will learn about the history of the region and use their senses to locate and identify birds, insects, fish and mammals. Participants will also learn about invasive species that threaten native plants and wildlife and how they can take initiative to protect clean water. Canoes or kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided for those who need them.

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Riverwalking the West Branch AuSable

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Held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Lake Placid. The theme is “Sensory discovery of the AuSable.” Discover the West Branch of the AuSable River from a unique vantage point, wading in the river. Participants will use their senses — sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste — to discover the AuSable River from within, up close, to rekindle your sense of wonder and appreciation for water, this river and nature. Children 10 years and up are welcome. The river journey will combine an introduction to wading, with guided sensory activities and free time for exploration. This trip is guided by Helene Gibbens, certified nature therapy guide and founder of Adirondack Riverwalking. Waders and wading boots are provided.

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Mushroom Walk

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Held from 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Aug. 31 in Elizabethtown. The theme is “Fungi of the AuSable Watershed.” Susan Hopkins, local mushroom expert and fungal enthusiast, will lead a walking mushroom foray to look at anything fungal. In this tour, participants will discuss the role and importance of fungi in the forest community. Edible as well as poisonous species and a few having medicinal properties will be looked at in detail if they are present. For those interested, the group will return to the parking area to lay out their finds for further observation and identification with the many field guides and other resources brought by Hopkins while they eat lunch.

For questions and to register, email events@ausablecenter.org or call 518-637-6859.

Learn more about the Ausable Freshwater Center’s guided watershed tours program, tour dates, and registration online at ausableriver.org/events/river-tours.