Up Yonda's 25th anniversary fest draws crowd

BOLTON | Just days into her new position in charge of Up Yonda Environmental Education Center, Kristen Wilde was faced with a formidable job: to plan and hold the largest public event in the center's recent history. The result? Up Yonda's 25th Anniversary was an unprecedented success. Hundreds of people of all ages attended the July 30 event to celebrate and see Up Yonda's new exhibits, examine pond wildlife up close, encounter turtles, experience their butterfly sensory garden, as well as take a hike up the farm's hill and enjoy an impressive view of Lake George. Up Yonda Naturalist/Educator Rick Landry said the four-hour event was a phenomenon. "We had the place packed — If you tried to get into our parking lot, it was difficult," he said noting cars had to park alongside Route 9N. "People of our partner organizations (staffing tables) raved about the good 'vibe' of the festival." Landry said Bolton Library Trustees handed out environmental and science books to each child attending, and representatives of the Lake George Land Conservancy, the Adirondack Mountain Club and other organizations were sponsoring games or conducting presentations. "Our first-time guests and people experiencing a repeat visit were loving the festival." Up Yonda is a historic farm that was donated to Warren County a quarter-century ago for use as an environmental education center, and the county has operated it since then, annually expanding its outreach to area residents and visitors. Kristen Wilde, who has led Up Yonda as its Environmental Education Administrator since July 18, estimated that nearly 300 people attended the four-hour anniversary celebration. "The festival provided a really good opportunity to showcase the Up Yonda property — and for people to learn about the great things we have going on this summer," she said. "We had way more guests than we expected." She said that it was particularly fun watching children scoop up crayfish and frogs from Up Yonda's pond using nets they provide. "Everybody had fun," she said. Among those enjoying the Up Yonda fest was newly appointed acting county Administrator Craig Leggett, who said he was impressed with the turnout and Up Yonda's programming. "It was great to see the joy and wonder of the kids and their parents at the anniversary celebration," he said. "Environmental awareness opens up a wonderful world for children, and Up Yonda provides that important link. The Up Yonda staff, facilities and programs enrich the lives of our school children as well as of area visitors." A Queensbury resident, Kristen Wilde served as Education Director for the Lake George Association for about 13 years before joining the Up Yonda staff. Before her tenure with the LGA, she worked as an intern at Up Yonda in 2007 and 2008. Wilde said that she intends to expand Up Yonda's programming for children to include hands-on experiences focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. "Up Yonda is a great place. Everyone has fun here and there is a lot of room to grow," she said. "I am very excited to work in this area — connecting people of all ages with our natural world."

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Up Yonda's 25th anniversary fest draws crowd

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