Adirondack Nature Trails:
Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehabilitation Center

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The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center, in Wilmington, New York, is a nonprofit rehabilitation and education organization. 

• Its mission is to take in, rehabilitate and (if possible) to return to the wild, injured or otherwise disabled wildlife.
• The Center also runs educational programs on wildlife and Adirondack natural history.
• There is no admission or parking fee. Because the facility receives only limited funding from the state and private grants, it depends largely on donations to continue its work with Adirondack wildlife.

The facility is open to the public between 10 AM and 4 PM daily, Thursday through Monday. It is located at 977 Springfield Road, Wilmington, New York.

Overview

The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge is the best place in the Park to learn about Adirondack mammals and birds of prey. The facility offers nature-lovers several ways to expand their knowledge:

• The Center has displays of mammals and birds, many of which are rescued animals unable to be released into the wild.  Each enclosure has interpretive signs. Knowledgeable attendants are available to provide information on the species and the individual animal in the enclosure. Many of the animals in the enclosures are species native to the Adirondacks (such as the Red Fox and Black Bears).  The Center also has several Gray Wolves.
• The Center hosts a variety of educational programs, including lectures and presentations on Adirondack wildlife and other aspects of Adirondack natural history. Visitors can drop by the wolf enclosure at 10 AM daily for a "Wolf Gathering," providing detailed information on wolves as keystone predators.  The Black Bear enclosure hosts sessions on "Understanding Bears" throughout the day.  There is also an annual Adirondack Habitat Awareness Day in September, featuring presentations, demonstrations, and lectures.  The Center also offers interactive presentations and demonstrations at public venues, such as schools, colleges, fairs, and churches.

The Center features a mile–long, guided, interpretive trail, with excellent informative signs covering the plants, wildlife, and ecology of the area. The trail winds through a variety of habitats, including a pine plantation, mixed forest, and successional meadow. Parts of the trail border the Ausable River, providing access to adjacent wetland areas and views of Whiteface Mountain.

Birds Seen along the Trails

Birds heard and seen along the trails include:

Trees Seen along the Trails

Trees seen along the trails include:

Wildflowers and Ferns Seen along the Trails

Wildflowers and ferns commonly seen along the trails include:

Mammals and Birds in the Enclosures

Mammals and birds in enclosures include:

Directions to the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehabilitation Center