“Journey to the Hudson,” a visual exploration of a changing watershed in the Adirondack Mountains. (Provided photo)

NEWCOMB — When artist Anicka Chaffey arrived at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Adirondack Ecological Center as the 2025 artist-in-residence, she set out to merge science and storytelling. The result is “Journey to the Hudson,” a comic book that makes complex ecological research accessible and engaging for all.

Created in collaboration with ESF researchers and educators, the comic explores how water travels from the Adirondack Mountains to the Hudson River, highlighting the interconnected nature of forest, stream and watershed ecology.

“‘Journey to the Hudson’ illustrates the ‘Headwaters to Harbor’ approach that defines research at Huntington Wildlife Forest and ESF,” AEC associate director Paul Hai said. “It’s a creative way to share science with a broader audience.”

Chaffey, who holds degrees in marine biology and sequential art, believes comics are a powerful tool for science communication.

“Comics can convey so much through text and images,” she said. “They make science accessible, approachable and fun.”

“Journey to the Hudson” is available at the Adirondack Interpretive Center, online and in person at the ESF College Bookstore. All proceeds support free educational programming at the AIC.

The AIC program connects art and science through residencies that include public programs and open studio hours. Chaffey will continue working with ESF on a new comic about the history of the Timbuctoo settlement and the College’s Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute.

“As much as I love science, it has been fun pivoting to historical research for my comic book with the Timbuctoo Institute,” Chaffey said. “I’m in full research mode, diving back into the archives to learn everything I can about the Timbuctoo settlement in North Elba and the history of slavery in New York. It’s heavy stuff, but I’ve learned a lot and I’m looking forward to finding a way to tell this important history of the Adirondacks in comic form.”