Rice Creek invites public for fall nature education programs

SUNY Oswego’s Rice Creek Field Station will offer free nature education programs this fall, enabling people to learn about the main building’s sustainability features, explore the surrounding trails and see the changes autumn brings.

Naturalist-guided Rice Creek Rambles will take place at 11 a.m. on many Saturdays: Sept. 17 and 24; Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29; Nov. 12, 19 and 26; and Dec. 10. Those planning to attend need to call 315-312-6677 on the morning of each hike to check on trail conditions.

Elementary-age children can learn about animals’ wild ways and how humans relate to the natural world during Story Hour at 11 a.m. Saturdays Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3. Rice Creek Field Station offers Story Hour in support of the national Read Aloud 15 Minutes initiative.

Since program size is limited, the hikes and Story Hours are not able to accommodate groups, and an adult needs to accompany children.

Visitors can tour the site’s 7,640-square-foot field station from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. most Saturdays. Trails and the Ruth Sachidanandan Herb Garden are open during daylight hours. Parking is available adjacent to the building and at the main gate.

Rice Creek again will gear up to welcome students, parents and others for Family and Friends Weekend on Friday and Saturday, with hours on Oct. 21 and 22, and SUNY Oswego alumni and family members at Homecoming Weekend on Friday and Saturday, open on Nov. 4 and 5.

For more information, visit oswego.edu/rice-creek or call 315-312-6677.