Adirondack Water Week celebrates youth voices for water protection

(Paul Smiths, NY, July 28, 2025) – Adirondack Water Week kicks off on Friday, August 1st and runs through Sunday, August 10th. The 6th annual event celebrates youth who are actively engaged in water protection efforts in Lake Champlain Basin communities.

Adirondack Water week honors the healthy rivers and lakes that were essential for the spiritual, cultural, and physical well-being of Indigenous people and that today provides health, safety, recreation, spiritual connection, tourism, and economic vitality for Adirondack communities. The program is coordinated by Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute and is funded in part by a 2025 Special Programs Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

In collaboration with local organizations, Adirondack Watershed Institute provides events, programs, and interactive experiences that encourage the public to reflect on the importance of our lakes, rivers, and wetlands while offering educational opportunities about issues impacting our watersheds and efforts to protect them. Youth who are actively researching our watersheds and educating the public on water protection efforts will be highlighted through AWI’s Puddle Jumpers podcast, blog, and social media.

Some of this year’s events are centered around inspiring science education through the arts which include AWI’s participation in the EcoArts Festival in Old Forge, the Kids’ Art Festival in North Creek, and the Wool & Water project displayed in several locations throughout the Adirondacks.

“This year’s Adirondak Water Week focuses on highlighting young people actively engaged in both watershed research and outreach," says Annie Arnold, AWI's environmental educator. "Engaging youth in taking action for water protection truly starts with connecting them to nature and educating them about the incredible natural world we live in” Water Week events are open to the public. 2025 Water Week highlights include:

Paddle with a Scientist: Explore the critical science behind the growth of Harmful Algal Blooms in our region’s waterways. Join AWI’s Dr. Chelsea Smith, on the water for this unique experience in collaboration with the Adirondack Mountain Club and Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters.

Water Week at the Wild Center: Visitors are invited to explore an interactive watershed experience on August 8th, as well as visit The Wild Center’s exhibits that showcase the vital role of water in our natural world.

Farmers’ Markets: AWI’s Wool & Water will be blending art and environmental education for a fun, interactive experience at the Saranac Lake Farmers’ Market on August 9th and the Keene Farmers’ Market on August 10th.

Experience Wool & Water: Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visualize changing water conditions through beautiful knitted and crocheted art work, led by AWI’s scientist and fiber artist, Michale Glennon. See Michale’s work displayed at The Wild Center throughout Water Week and Lake Placid Center for the Arts’ Fiber Arts Show through August 9th.

Full Family Adventures: Families looking to connect with nature are invited to join canoe trips and guided hikes at The Wild Center and Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center. Plus, explore the Chain of Lakes in the western region at the annual Maintain the Chain event. No experience necessary!

"Adirondack Water Week truly offers something for everyone, whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor," says Zoë Smith, interim executive director of AWI. " Integrating art with science, as many of our projects do, offers the public an easier and more engaging way for the public to connect with complex ideas about clean water. Our events are family friendly and a great way to celebrate our region”.

All events are open to the public and a full schedule can be found on the Water Week calendar at adkwatershed.org/adirondack-water-week.

The mission of the Adirondack Watershed Institute is to protect clean water, conserve habitat, and support the health and well-being of the people in the Adirondacks through scientific inquiry, stewardship, and real world experiences, adkwatershed.org.