Paul Smiths, NY – Paul Smith’s College, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), hosted a formal dedication ceremony on July 25, 2025 for the Hoyt and Peroni Memorial Forest & Picnic Area — a newly named 42-acre site within the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
The site’s name honors Gould Hoyt and George Peroni, two beloved and long-serving forestry faculty members at Paul Smith’s College, whose influence shaped generations of forestry professionals across New York. The official designation — approved by the DEC in a rare revision to the Saranac Lake Wild Forest Unit Management Plan — recognizes their profound contributions to forest stewardship and education.
“This forest is a living classroom and legacy, planted by our students under Gould and George’s guidance,” said Dan Kelting, president of Paul Smith’s College. “This dedication is both a tribute and a continuation of their life’s work.”
Originally planted between 1955 and 1957 by Paul Smith’s College students, the forest stands as a rare example of experiential forestry education and reflects a powerful public-private partnership in conservation and recreation. The event also demonstrates the ongoing collaboration between the DEC and Paul Smith’s College in fostering access to natural resources and preparing the next generation of environmental professionals.
“The Hoyt and Peroni Memorial Forest & Picnic Area project expands public access to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, while honoring a legacy of two great educators,” said Fiona Watt, DEC State Forester and Lands and Forests Division Director. “Together, with Paul Smith’s College, we have created a space that invites New Yorkers to recreate, get outdoors, connect with nature and learn about the history of the forest preserve and the stewardship of the site.”
The dedication ceremony was part of Paul Smith’s College Alumni Reunion Weekend, which took place from July 25-27, 2025. The dedication featured remarks from college and DEC leaders, alumni reflections and a timber sports exhibition, honoring the deep traditions of forestry and competitive spirit that both professors championed.
“As a Paul Smith’s College alum, I had the privilege of knowing both Professor Hoyt and Professor Peroni. They were more than educators; They were mentors, woodsmen and leaders who believed that the best learning happened not in a lecture hall, but out here among the trees — ‘learning by doing,’” said Peter Frank, Assistant Director, Lands and Forests at DEC. “What began as a college project has become a lasting legacy. A place where families can gather, where people can reflect and where future generations can learn from the land. Just as we did.”
About Paul Smith’s College:
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
About the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us @NYSDEC on social media.
Media Contact:
Emily Roberts
