By Amy Jerome

The Wild Center located in Tupper Lake made a strong case for human involvement in their mission towards coexistence with nature, as they unveiled their new exhibit on climate solutions. I attended the event with my parents and we were welcomed at the door by Robin Ellis who checked our names off his list.

Member receptions are free to current members and I was able to procure my free passes online. Having attended a few receptions, all have been enjoyable, and worth my yearly membership fee.

This one began with a wonderful spread of hors d’oeuvres supplied by Lakeview Deli in Saranac as well as some local wines and beer.

I have already perused their menu as I was a huge fan of their roasted eggplant olive tapenade. Mini cupcakes were also a hit and were made by Marcy Benz (?), whose name was supplied by one of the servers.

After speakers from the center thanked the many people and organizations that brought about the new exhibit, attendees were invited to view the new exhibition, take part in interactive art with Dave Fadden, or watch the premier of the new movie, “The Age of Humans,” featuring Paul Smith’s College’s own Dr. Curt Stager.

My small group began with the film and will say that, despite the doom and gloom which is legitimately a part of all climate discussions, it ended up with a more positive note that we can change our future. It was a good place to start our evening. From there we moved to the Climate Solutions exhibition. For those familiar with The Wild Center, it is in the center of the main section, surrounded by the fish and nature exhibits. I remember it being where I could sit and watch different films about the Adirondacks, including ones with snowshoe hares, moose, and old-time guides. The new exhibit is visually appealing and very interesting. It will be a place for me to check out in the future when time permits.

I want to end with an exhibit that has been re-imagined. I really enjoyed the art and the beautiful words. As described on their webpage, the wetland exhibit has been newly reinterpreted through the lens of the Thanksgiving Address of the Haudenosaunee people. This is the first area that you see when you enter the outside ring of the museum. The artwork and object labels are worth a visit all on their own.