Local History: Denise Silfee

Adirondack Center for Loon Concservation

5pm @The Old Forge Library. A different Speaker every week! Free and open to all! Check out the full schedule below. In conjunction with the Town of Webb Historical Association.

The Old Forge Library, located at 220 Crosby Boulevard, is pleased to host the Town of Webb Historical Association Local History and Stories Series on Thursdays throughout the summer at 5:00 p.m. Each week, the free series will feature a different speaker presenting and leading discussions on a variety of topics related to local and regional history. Community members and visitors are invited to attend, ask questions, and share stories of their own.

Organized by TOWHA Director Kate Lewis, this summer’s lineup offers a wide range of engaging topics exploring Adirondack history, culture, conservation, and storytelling.

The series opens Thursday, July 9, with Denise Silfee of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. Prior to the evening presentation, Silfee will lead a special children’s program from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for ages 5–12 focused on loon conservation and lead-free fishing practices.

The interactive Kids’ Lead-Free Tackle Box Program will help children understand how discarded lead fishing tackle can harm loons and other wildlife, while showing how simple choices can help protect Adirondack lakes. At the end of the activity, each child will receive a lead-free tackle box starter kit, provided with support from “Maintain the Chain,” so they can begin fishing with gear that is safer for loons and wildlife.

Silfee joined ACLC in 2024 as Director of Education & Communications and brings a background in teaching, journalism, documentary photography, and environmental communications. Her work focuses on helping people better understand the relationship between humans, wildlife, and ecosystems while encouraging stewardship throughout the Adirondack region.

Founded in 2017, ACLC continues mercury research on common loons that began in the Adirondacks in the 1990s. Today, the organization monitors loon health through blood and feather sampling while also studying how climate change impacts nesting success. Conservation efforts include floating nest rafts and stewardship programs such as Loon Friendly Lakes, which encourages community involvement in protecting healthy lake ecosystems.

Denise’s presentation is sponsored by the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association and “Maintain the Chain,” a community initiative focused on protecting the lakes and watershed of the Fulton Chain and the Adirondack Park through education and stewardship programming.

Upcoming presentations include:

• July 16 – Ed Pitts: You Can't Drive to Beaver River
• July 23 – Bruce Steltzer: William Covey and Twitchell Lake
• July 30 – Ray Letterman: Dams & Reservoirs of the Fulton Chain
• August 6 – Tom Welch: The White Plague and Adirondack Tourism
• August 13 – Gary Lee and Mitch Lee: Adirondack Columnists
• August 20 – Eric Sutherland: Maple Sugaring
• August 27 – Dr. James Spencer: The Salem Witch Stories

The Local History and Stories Series is free and open to the public and offers an engaging opportunity to explore local history while celebrating community heritage throughout the summer.

Upcoming Events