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Brining Science to the Adirondacks and the Adirondacks to Science

Welcome to the Adirondack Ecological Center

The Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC) is the leader in ecological sciences in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York and a major contributor to the science internationally.  Established in 1971 by the State University of New York College of Environmental Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, the AEC provides the science that underpins the management of Adirondack Park  as one of the world's foremost experiments in conservation and sustainability.  We attract scientists from throughout the world, providing a base of operation for research that seeks to understand the natural ecosystems of the  northern forest.  Together with top educators, we help the people of New York preserve and enhance the quality of a wilderness environment while at the same time fostering a vibrant economy.  The AEC is located on ESF's Huntington Wildlife Forest (HWF), a 6,000 ha field station in the central Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.

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Sixty-five years of research have been incorporated into over 30 ongoing monitoring efforts. The Adirondack Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program (ALTEMP) currently monitors over 100 physical, chemical, and biological attributes to provide the long-term perspective necessary to detect changes and identify trends in the Adirondack ecosystem.  More than 70 research programs are ongoing, spanning restoration of wildlife to development of new  forestry to impact of acidic deposition on soils and lakes.

Combining modern cafeteria, housing facilities, and meeting rooms with a remote and spectacular wilderness setting, the AEC provides a retreat-like atmosphere for education programs and meetings.  Programs can be conducted any time of year and can span days to weeks. Most research, short courses, and meetings are developed by faculty at ESF, but about 30 percent of program activities are conducted by scientists and professionals from other institutions and governmental agencies.