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ADI gathering

ADK Black Birders Day and an Evening with J. Drew Lanham

When
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Where
John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Lake Placid
Who can come
Open to all

Nature Stewardship

Birders with binoculars up on a grassy trail at the ADK Black Birders event

A day of birding at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid to build community, deepen our connection to the land, and celebrate Black birders.

Schedule at a Glance

Feel free to join us for a short visit, or stay and explore with us all morning!

Please note that the event will proceed rain or shine, with a modified schedule in the event of rain.

  1. 7:00 a.m.Early Bird Walk (optional)
  2. 8:30 a.m.Binocular Basics
  3. 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.Light Breakfast: Muffins, Fruit, & Beverages (Coffee, Tea, Juice)
  4. 9:00 a.m.Welcoming Remarks
  5. 9:15 a.m.Guided Birding - Small Groups
  6. 10:30 a.m.Break & Snack
  7. 10:45 a.m.Keynote Speaker: J. Drew Lanham
  8. 11:15 a.m.More Birding - or - Explore John Brown Farm & Exhibits
  9. 12:15 p.m.Closing Remarks & Poetry Readings
  10. 12:30 p.m.Stay and Explore John Brown Farm & Exhibits
  11. 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.Celebrating Black Birders Week with J. Drew Lanham, The Wild Center

Saturday, May 30, 2026

7:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Early Bird Walk

Rise and shine for the best birding time of the day. Join Stephan Roundtree & Giselle Pemberton for a quiet birding walk around the farm.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

We will be providing a light breakfast of muffins, fruit, & beverages (coffee, tea, juice) to get the day going. Please bring your own travel mug and water bottle if possible.

8:30 a.m.

Binocular Basics

Get a quick crash course on how to best use your binoculars from experienced birders.

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks

Members from the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and John Brown Lives! will share a few words to welcome and ground everyone in the mission and vision for this special day.

9:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Small Group Birding

Participants will move into small birding groups led by our guest birders. Group options will be announced on the day of the event, so please complete our registration form to help us plan this experience for you.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Break & Snack

10:45 - 11:15 a.m.

Keynote Speaker - Dr. J. Drew Lanham

Dr. Lanham is a distinguished alumnus, Professor of Wildlife Ecology, and Master Teacher at Clemson University. He is also a MacArthur Fellow (Genius Grant) Award-winning academic, poet, writer, and a well-known figure in the birding community.

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

More Birding - or - Explore John Brown Farm State Historic Site

Continue birding by exploring new locations around the farm, or dive into the unique history of this historic site. We highly recommend exploring the Timbuctoo Exhibit (in the barn) and the temporary Americans Who Tell the Truth Exhibit.

Visiting youth groups will have guided birding at this time.

12:15 - 12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks & Readings

We will end the day with reflections and connection, culminating with readings from our poetry submissions. Attendees are welcome to stay and continue exploring the historic site.

An Evening with J. Drew Lanham

Continue your Black Birders celebration by joining us for a community lecture and conversation with Dr. Lanham at The Wild Center at 6:00 p.m.

Doors open and tabling begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Catering provided by Our Plates.

Northern NY Audubon's Great Adirondack Birding Celebration will also be taking place at this time. Check out their additional birding activities available in the region.

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