Love Your Lakes & Lands Brings Community Together at Dewey Mountain

AWI Aquatic Invasive Species Director Brett Wimsatt presenting on his work stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species at the Love Your Lakes and Lands event.

By Annie Arnold, Watershed Educator

June 11, 2026 - Local partners trickled in to Dewey Mountain Recreation Center in Saranac Lake. Representatives from organizations actively researching and protecting our local lands and waters. Volunteers who dedicate their free time toward educating the public about our natural resources. One by one tents were erected, activities displayed, all while catching up on the latest work being done in the region. Even before the event officially began, the atmosphere reflected a remarkable collaboration of people committed to caring for the Adirondacks.

The first annual Love Your Lakes & Lands event, created and organized by Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) at Paul Smith’s College, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), and Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, made its debut Thursday night. This community-centered event was born from a desire to engage the public on pressing issues facing our waters and lands, and a platform to encourage involvement with local organizations to advance research and protection efforts.

A light breeze and friendly atmosphere welcomed families, friends, and community members. Each organization offered interactive activities such as a microplastics demonstration from The Wild Center, tackle box inventories from the Loon Center, Junior Watershed Steward workbooks from Adirondack Watershed Institute, and a visit from the Upper Saranac Foundation dive team.

AWI’s Brett Wimsatt shared a compelling report on the results of the Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Program’s work across the Adirondack Park, concluding with a call for everyone to recognize their role in protecting our natural resources. Kiana French from the Ausable Freshwater Center provided details of her work in native plant farming and restoration plantings throughout the watershed. And Guy Middleton, Executive Director of Upper Saranac Foundation, reflected on 25 years of experience of aquatic invasive species management in the Saranac watershed.

Thanks to our partners at Ausable Freshwater Center and the Northern New York Audubon, our night concluded with a native seed scouting walk and birding walk through Dewey Mountain’s trails.

The event highlighted just how fortunate we are to live in a place where conservation work is deeply connected to community life, and where neighbors and organizations continue to support one another in both new and long-standing ways.

The team at AWI extends a special thank you to NEIWPCC and the Lake Champlain Basin Program, who provided funding for this event from recent grant funding. We deeply value their ongoing support in advancing education and the protection of the Lake Champlain Basin.