Rensselaer’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute and the Historical Society of Bolton are pleased to co-host a series of distinguished presentations on the natural and cultural history of Lake George and the Adirondacks.
Funding for this series is provided by generous gifts from the Knapp Fund. For more information visit our Contact page or phone (518) 644-3541.
Some archived video recordings of lecture presentations can be found here: DFWI SLS Archives
If you would like to be informed on upcoming lectures, please use the link on the right to sign up for our email list!
2025 Summer Lecture Series
July 7th: Dr. Brendan Wiltse, Executive Director of the Lake George Association
“What one lake can teach us about saving freshwater and ourselves” – A compelling look at how science-driven action is protecting one of the world’s most iconic lakes. Drawing on Lake George as a living laboratory, Dr. Wiltse will explore how local innovation, community collaboration, and cutting-edge research can serve as a model for freshwater protection worldwide. As threats like climate change, invasive species, and road salt contamination grow, this presentation offers a hopeful, solution-oriented vision for the future of our water. Discover how protecting lakes is not just environmental work—it’s essential to our collective well-being.
July 14th: Garry DuFour
“Stars of Lake George” – Famous celebrities who have spent time in and around Lake George. Garry DuFour, was awarded the Bronze Star for Service in Vietnam: served as a Congress Staffer, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and later a national correspondent for “Stars and Stripes.” He is a former member of the Screen Actors Guild, California, and a writer of 2, one act plays on military secrets.
July 21st: Tamara Jacobi, Author
“Alphabet of Lake George” - Local authors Tamara Jacobi and Walter Wright present "Lake George Journey", a modern love-letter style book that playfully explores the interconnectedness of nature, community, organizations, and conservation around Lake George. This talk invites all generations to celebrate the magic of the lake through A-Z stories and I-spy art from local artists—inspiring everyone to cherish and protect Lake George together.
July 28th: Michale Gennon, Ph.D., Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute
“Wool and Water” - Wool and Water is a collaborative project that blends fiber art with scientific information to create visual representations of changing water quality conditions in the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain Basin. Launched in association with the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act in 2022, the aim of this project is to showcase the legacy of protecting clean water in the Champlain Basin and beyond.
August 4th: Ginny Britt, Director of Administration, The Sembrich
"The Hawaiian Nightingale in the Adirondacks" - How Hawaiian opera star Ululani Robertson came to study with Marcella Sembrich in Lake Placid and here on Lake George.
August 11th: Pete Nelson, Chair of Adirondack Wilderness Advocates
"Where does the water go?" - Most folks know Lake Geroge has a single outlet at its northern end. But from there, the story of where the water goes gets interesting, including as it relates to history. Some of the history of La Chute River corridor is well known, of course, but as usual, there's more to the story.
August 18th: Doug Carlson, SUNY Potsdam, Biology Research Associate
"Fish of Lake George and the nearby Adirondacks”