The Wolf Conservation Center’s second annual service-learning event, “WCC’s Family Walk to Protect America’s Wild Heritage,” will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 3 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
The event was originally scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13, but was postponed because of anticipated inclement weather.
The event celebrates the wildlife and wild lands of the largest park in the contiguous United States — New York’s Adirondack State Park. With six million acres of large protected stretches of forest, a myriad of wildlife habitat, and huge watersheds, it is home to several species of wild creatures and approximately 135,000 people who call it home. It’s a place where both people and nature have made room to coexist.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife is slated to remove Endangered Species Act protections from nearly all gray wolves nationwide. The wolf is trying to make a comeback in the Northeast, but without federal protections afforded by this historically significant legislation, its future here in New York and throughout its historic range in the Northeast will depend on how it’s recognized at the state level. Our children want to be assured that this symbol of the American wild will not be silenced in their lifetime or for future generations. This event will celebrate all of New York’s native wildlife — species we have today and species in need of recovery.
On Aug. 13, children will be invited to participate in an adventure through a circuit of educational workshops about the array of native wildlife that flourishes within Adirondack Sate Park and will earn free raffle tickets for prizes at every station along the trail. In addition to these experiences, Northeast Wolf Coalition Junior representative Tommy Whiteley will present a keynote address and Wolf Conservation Center Ambassador Wolf Atka will lead all in a group howl. Each child will receive Adirondack Council’s “Wild Characters of the Adirondacks” booklet, along with a certificate that acknowledges their participation.
The event will be held at Shelter 5 at 6 Reservation Road in Cross River. Reservations are not required, but please let the Wolf Conservation Center know if you plan to attend by emailing maggie@nywolf.org.