Kelly Adirondack Center

Kelly Adirondack Center The Kelly Adirondack Center is an interdisciplinary research center and policy facility dedicated to the study of Adirondack culture and environment.

The Kelly Adirondack Center is an interdisciplinary research center and policy facility dedicated to the study of Adirondack culture, environment, conservation, and the physical sciences. In 2011, Union College strengthened its historic relationship with the Adirondacks by purchasing the former home of conservationist Paul Schaefer. The home, located in nearby Niskayuna, houses the Adirondack Rese

arch Library, which boasts a unique collection of material on the Adirondack Park and the New York State Forest Preserve, including rare books, maps, photographs, documents and the personal papers of some of the region’s foremost conservationists. The result is the Kelly Adirondack Center at Union College, which offers exciting opportunities to advance Union’s understanding of the mountains, wilderness and waterways of this tremendous natural resource. The Center allows Union to affirm its long connection with the Adirondacks, preserve the educational mission that has been central to the Adirondack Research Library, and increase our curricular and co-curricular programming related to the Adirondacks.

Join us in Old Chapel on the Union College campus Thursday 5/7 at 5:30 p.m. for Tiny Aquatic Creatures and Their Role in...
05/06/2026

Join us in Old Chapel on the Union College campus Thursday 5/7 at 5:30 p.m. for Tiny Aquatic Creatures and Their Role in a Lake’s Ecosystem with Prof. Emeritus Peter Tobiessen.

As you paddle over your favorite lake, below you is an amazing array of tiny creatures that are essential to making the lake’s ecosystem function. Prof. Tobiessen will describe many of these critters and examine their complex interactions. Microscopes will be provided so you can get to know them better.

The program is cosponsored by UCALL, ECOS: The Environmental ClearinghouseOS, and the Union College Biology Club

A stunning piece from today's KAC sketching event by Ottavia Huang of Watercolor & Urban Sketchers .otter
03/17/2026

A stunning piece from today's KAC sketching event by Ottavia Huang of Watercolor & Urban Sketchers .otter

A stunning piece from today's KAC sketching event by Ottavia Huang of Watercolor & Urban Sketchers Ms. Otter Studio!
03/17/2026

A stunning piece from today's KAC sketching event by Ottavia Huang of Watercolor & Urban Sketchers Ms. Otter Studio!

03/05/2026

Temperatures are forecasted to be in the 50s throughout next week! Here are some things to keep in mind as we transition to spring:

❄️ Hikers should be prepared for a variety of trail conditions, including ice, mud, and deep snow. While there may be less than 8 inches of snow at lower elevations, there will still be several feet of snow at higher elevations. Pack both snowshoes and crampons, switching from gear to gear as necessary for safety and to comply with state regulations.

🌊 When planning your hike, look for trails with fewer water crossings and take high-water bridges where possible. If you encounter deep or swift moving water, do not attempt to cross it. Rainfall during mud season can create flash floods due to higher and faster water crossings.

🥾Walk directly through mud, ice, and snow when hiking trails at lower elevations. Hiking off-trail to avoid mud erodes soil, damages vegetation, and widens both trails and mud puddles.

For the latest backcountry conditions and trip planning advice, contact our High Peaks Information Center by emailing [email protected] or calling 518-523-3441 ext. 121.

02/22/2026

The Kelly Adirondack Center is thrilled to take part in X- Snow research this beautiful, snow-filled winter! ❄️

Special thanks to for this opportunity!

X-Snow , led by NASA and the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, brings together researchers, students, and local partners to better understand winter conditions and strengthen our connection to the landscapes we live and work in. The KAC is proud to be part of this collaborative initiative designed to expand the number of snow measurements collected across the Catskills and Adirondacks!



William K. Verner, a longtime Schenectady resident and advocate for conservation in the Adirondacks, held a wealth of kn...
02/18/2026

William K. Verner, a longtime Schenectady resident and advocate for conservation in the Adirondacks, held a wealth of knowledge about the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. He served as a consulting director of the Olympic Sports Museum, a member of the National Fine Arts Committee of the 1980 Olympic Games, and a Chairman of the Adirondack Citizens’ Task Force. Interested in learning more about Upstate New York’s connection to the Winter Olympics? Come check out the Kelly Adirondack Center!

With the Winter Olympics underway, let's take a look back at some photos from the 1931 and 1980 games in Lake Placid. Ph...
02/10/2026

With the Winter Olympics underway, let's take a look back at some photos from the 1931 and 1980 games in Lake Placid. Photos courtesy of New York Heritage Digital Collections- a great resource!

Winter morning light between the stacks of stories this morning in the Adirondack Research Library
12/16/2025

Winter morning light between the stacks of stories this morning in the Adirondack Research Library

We're always happy to host the team from Schoharie River Center! They do amazing work!!!
12/09/2025

We're always happy to host the team from Schoharie River Center! They do amazing work!!!

First snow of the season at the Kelly Adirondack Center!
11/10/2025

First snow of the season at the Kelly Adirondack Center!

Address

897 St Davids Lane
Niskayuna, NY
12309

Telephone

+15183887000

Website

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