ADK Talks
ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.
We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.
But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.
And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.
So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.
You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.
ADK Talks
Education in the Wild: How Paul Smith’s College Shapes Climate Resilience, Careers, and the Future of the Adirondacks
Where else can your morning class involve snowshoes, your lab take place in a 100-year-old white pine stand, and your campus stretch across 14,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness? Paul Smith’s College is a place where learning happens in the field — sometimes literally — and that’s precisely why we love it.
This week on ADK Talks, we head to the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake with Dr. Brett McLeod, Dean of Faculty and Professor of Natural Resources, to explore what makes Paul Smith’s unlike any other college in the country. From forestry and fish restoration to culinary arts, climate resilience, and the beloved Visitor Interpretive Center, the “College of the Adirondacks” blends outdoor tradition with forward-thinking science, community partnerships, and a whole lot of boots-on-the-ground experience.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- How a 19th-century wilderness hotel on Lower St. Regis Lake evolved into Paul Smith’s College — and why forestry, hospitality, and the liberal arts still anchor its identity.
- What it means to have a campus where every classroom door opens directly into the forest — including wildlife labs, winter ecology lessons, and fieldwork 20 steps from the parking lot.
- The story behind Paul Smith’s VIC: its origins with the APA, its role as a community hub, and why it’s one of the most accessible entry points for visitors curious about the college.
- How students earn a real Adirondack advantage through internships, DEC partnerships, guest speakers, and a strong pipeline into regional conservation and recreation careers.
- A favorite tale of “Adirondack resilience in action”: draft horses and students hauling 20 tons of lime across the ice to restore remote brook trout habitat.
- A primer on modern forestry — long time horizons, carbon, wildlife, timber, and the art of thinking 100 years into the future.
- New initiatives that broaden the college’s reach: artisan culinary training, specialized institutes, and programs like Battlefish Academy for veterans seeking a path into guiding and small business.
- How the Adirondack Watershed Institute works to protect lakes, prevent invasives, and educate boaters — and why firewood rules matter more than you think.
- A quick detour to a host favorite: the hike up St. Regis Mountain and its restored fire tower with views over the St. Regis Lakes chain.
Resources:
- Paul Smith’s College
- Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)
- Adirondack Watershed Institute
- St. Regis Canoe Area
- Adirondack Park Agency
Produced by NOVA