Owner seeks buyers for refuge and waterfront property
By Gwendolyn Craig
The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, a visitor attraction and former rehabilitation facility in the town of Wilmington, is for sale and closed to the public as of Jan. 1. It marks the end of an era for the center that brought thousands of visitors annually to the northeastern Adirondacks during its peak, a center that struggled to remain open after authorities homed in on years of wildlife violations.
The approximately 47 acres of the refuge, including the welcome center, a rehabilitation building, a storage barn and two glamping cottages are for sale, listed by Adirondack Premier Properties for $799,000. The listing does not include the adjacent home of Stephen and Wendy Hall, who ran the refuge since 2000.
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Stephen Hall, who lost his wife to cancer in early 2022, said at 77 he is ready to retire, and will continue living in their home adjacent to the refuge compound. He had hoped one of his four children might take over the refuge, but they have chosen different paths.
Visitors could once walk through the woods and trails of the property and view captive bears, wolves, bobcats and birds of prey. Some animals were too injured for release and became educational ambassadors. Other animals were under the rehabilitative care of the Halls, eventually released to the wild.
The Halls often made wildlife presentations to schools, churches, camps and other organizations, inspiring the next generation.
But around 2014 and 2015, the Halls became embroiled in state and federal wildlife violations, leading the refuge to undergo a string of transformations.
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The violations ranged in scope from lying to investigators about a bear escape, the demise of a bald eagle and the disappearance of a bobcat, to paperwork and permitting issues for their migratory birds. Around the same time, a nonprofit organization created to help fund the refuge also split from the Halls.
Related reading: Escaped bear returns to Wilmington refuge
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required the Halls to find new homes for most of their birds and animals. Authorities declined permitting other employees at the refuge after records showed they, too, were involved in some of the violations.
The relocations were not all successful. One of the Halls’ resident black bears died from overexertion during its relocation to a facility in Maine.
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Stephen Hall said he had warned the DEC of the risks of relocating the animals. In an email he told The Explorer “these critters were bonded to me.” He said several others didn’t survive the separation. The refuge’s oldest wolf died about three years ago. The other two wolves were transported to a rescue organization in New Mexico.
Visits to the refuge slowed once the bears and wolves were gone, Hall added.
Newton Falls couple Kevin and Jackie Woodcock, who constructed many of the buildings and animal enclosures at the refuge, unsuccessfully tried to reestablish it. The DEC refused to approve the Woodcocks’ applications for wildlife rehabilitation, citing their commute, inexperience and other issues. The Woodcocks were traveling 80 miles one way to attend to the facility, though Hall said they were welcome to stay at cabins on site.
Wendy Hall was diagnosed with cancer and died in early 2022. Despite the last few trying years at the refuge, Wendy Hall was well regarded in the rehabilitator world. She nursed back to health countless birds and animals across the North Country and volunteered her time and knowledge on rehabilitator hot lines.
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Related reading: Wendy Hall, founder of Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, dies
Hall said he now plans to split the 47 acres into one approximately 40-acre parcel and one approximately 7-acre parcel.
“We’re hoping a builder might buy the largest parcel, the Wildlife Refuge might be bought by someone who wants to revive the refuge for the public,” he wrote.
The real estate listing is for the full 47 acres. It notes the property includes 1,500 feet of waterfront along the West Branch of the Ausable River, 2 miles of hiking trails and views of Whiteface Mountain. The real estate agency points out that the property has a “tremendous residential development potential,” with the possibility of subdividing for building lots. Such a project would need an Adirondack Park Agency permit.
Hall said he will continue to write books and articles. He has been a past contributor to the Explorer’s community forum website, the Adirondack Almanack, and Jackie Woodcock is a current contributor to the site.
Top photo: A bald eagle seen on Feb. 25, 2020 at the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington. Photo by Gwendolyn Craig
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct listing real estate company.
This is so sad, Gl on your future endeavors my Grandson loved visiting the animals, one of the best experiences of his life, thank you for all you have done in the past for these animals.
I hope that government inspectors are not influenced by real estate interests, i.e., private wants over public needs. No
Reading articles like this never fail to get my blood boiling. I am grateful to this family for all they have done over the years for their community and visitors. Now their property will be sold for “residential development”? Of course. Greed over need. Every. Single. Time.
We have visited several times and it’s unfortunate of the demise. When we last visited & spoke to Steve most of the animals had been removed. Learning that many had passed during the transition was devastating. Steve & his wife cared very deeply for them. Steve was always so kind to us, once taking us on a personal tour because it was not open on that day. Last time we were there he allowed us to hike & use the kayaks while he had to leave. Wish Steve all the best!
I hope the property goes to someone who will restore the land back to a wildlife Refuge or
Will keep it wild and reset the natural setting of the area.
I visited this place a few years ago, loved it where you could be up close to the animal. I meant his wife an was a very true person for her animals. It’s sad.
I would love to restart the wildlife rehab program on this site if anyone would like to donate the $800k, thank you in advance!
This article is far from the truth, Gwen. Steve’s son tried for many years to take the business over, but it is in fact Steve who chose the different path.