New Rail Trail Discovery Series to launch July 16
June 22, 2026
SARANAC LAKE — North Country Community College is inviting community members to get
outside and explore the natural world through its new Rail Trail Discovery Series,
a five-week lineup of guided educational walks along the Adirondack Rail Trail.
The free, public events will be held on Thursdays beginning July 16 and will feature
local experts leading participants through hands-on explorations of art, ecology,
wildlife, and citizen science.
"These walks provide a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to connect with
nature while learning from knowledgeable instructors and community partners," said
North Country Community College President Joe Keegan. "The Adirondack Rail Trail offers
an ideal outdoor classroom, and we're excited to bring together science, art, and
environmental stewardship through this series."
Each walk will begin at North Country's Sparks Athletic Complex in Saranac Lake. Participants
may park in the gym parking lot or bike to the event and use bike parking available
at the facility. A North Country Community College welcome station will be set up
near the Rail Trail entrance for check-in and distribution of any materials needed
for each session like binoculars and hand lenses.
All events will be held rain or shine and are expected to last between 1-2 hours.
Rail Trail Discovery Series Schedule:
July 16, Noon
The Art of Nature Journaling
Led by Elaine Taylor, North Country Community College Associate Professor of Art.
Participants will learn techniques for observing and documenting nature through sketching and writing. Attendees should bring their own journal and pencils.
The Art of Nature Journaling
Led by Elaine Taylor, North Country Community College Associate Professor of Art.
Participants will learn techniques for observing and documenting nature through sketching and writing. Attendees should bring their own journal and pencils.
July 23, 9 a.m.
Learning to Identify Mosses
Led by Ray Curran of the Adirondack Botanical Society.
Discover the fascinating world of mosses and learn how to recognize common species found throughout the Adirondacks.
Learning to Identify Mosses
Led by Ray Curran of the Adirondack Botanical Society.
Discover the fascinating world of mosses and learn how to recognize common species found throughout the Adirondacks.
July 30, 9 a.m.
Birds of the Rail Trail
Led by Brian McAllister, North Country Community College Adjunct Instructor of Science.
Participants will explore bird habitats along the trail and learn identification techniques. Participants should bring binoculars.
Birds of the Rail Trail
Led by Brian McAllister, North Country Community College Adjunct Instructor of Science.
Participants will explore bird habitats along the trail and learn identification techniques. Participants should bring binoculars.
August 6, 9 a.m.
Using iNaturalist for Citizen Science
Led by Mindy Fredenburg, North Country Community College Assistant Professor of Science.
Learn how to use the iNaturalist smartphone app to identify plants and animals while contributing valuable observations to scientific research. Participants should bring a smartphone.
Using iNaturalist for Citizen Science
Led by Mindy Fredenburg, North Country Community College Assistant Professor of Science.
Learn how to use the iNaturalist smartphone app to identify plants and animals while contributing valuable observations to scientific research. Participants should bring a smartphone.
August 13, 9 a.m.
Identifying Invasive Species
Led by Shaun Kittle of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program.
Participants will learn how to recognize invasive plants and understand their impact on local ecosystems.
Identifying Invasive Species
Led by Shaun Kittle of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program.
Participants will learn how to recognize invasive plants and understand their impact on local ecosystems.
The Rail Trail Discovery Series is open to the public and designed for nature enthusiasts
of all experience levels.
For more information, visit www.nccc.edu/discovery or contact Mindy Fredenburg, Assistant Professor, Academic Coordinator, North Country
Community College Environmental Science Program, at mfredenburg@nccc.edu.
