This November Yale College Environmental Studies continued a favorite tradition by bringing a group of students to the High Peaks region of New York’s Adirondack State Park. This park is the largest publicly protected area in the continental United States, and it is comprised of both public and private lands managed through the Adirondack Park Act.
While in New York, EVST Faculty and Students spent their time hiking together and exploring the outdoors, while also engaging with local conservation experts. The group hiked with noted ecologist Ray Curran, and explored beaver meadows and the natural history of the region. They traveled to the Adirondack Nature Conservancy and learned about the history of the park’s creation from Tim Barnett and Michelle Brown. Finally, they hiked with Diane Fish from the Adirondack Council and learned about the challenges of governance in this complex park.
Reflecting on this experience, one students said, “I most enjoyed the active learning we were engaged in throughout the trip - pairing hikes with interesting speakers was great, and it reminded me of the field-based approach to learning I experienced while studying abroad.” Another student noted, “It was wonderful to get away from campus and be able to spend time outside. It was such a break from life at Yale, and it was great to be able to spend time with people I love in a beautiful place.”
EVST looks forward to our next Adirondack Trip in the Fall of 2017!