Art, science, nature discovery this fall at Rice Creek Field Station
The Oct. 17 Inspired by Nature event at Rice Creek Field Station is part of a variety of programming happening at the SUNY Oswego center for recreation, environmental education and field research. Rose and the Amateurs, performing again this year, are shown plays at a previous edition of the fall festival.
Members of the community are invited to embrace the season with Rice Creek Field Station’s upcoming public programs at SUNY Oswego.
Almost all programs are free to attend. The fall schedule includes new events, returning special programs, and continuations of popular series, including:
Guided Nature Discovery Walks: Saturdays, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., except Nov. 7 and Dec. 26. Every trip into nature is an opportunity for discovery. Interested participants will join Rice Creek's naturalists for a trail walk to explore the fields, forests, and wetlands of Rice Creek Field Station — noting interesting plants, animals, insects, fungi, seasonal changes and local ecology. Participants are encouraged to keep their eyes open for discoveries and ask questions along the way. Walks last 1 to 1.5 hours and traverse fairly flat terrain. An accessible route on the Purple Trail can be requested, ideally at least 24 hours in advance by calling (315) 312-6677 or emailing [email protected].
Inspired by Nature: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rice Creek Associates’ signature biennial fall event features a silent art auction with more than 50 pieces of nature-inspired art donated by artists and collectors. From 1 to 3 p.m., attendees can enjoy live acoustic music courtesy of Rose and the Amateurs and a leaf-printed tote bag activity with artist Linda Knowles. Free cider and donuts will be provided. Entrance to the event is free, but those bidding on art should bring a check or cash. All proceeds will support Phase II of Rice Creek’s Accessible Trails Initiative to expand inclusive access to nature.
Poetry in Nature Writing Workshop: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Aspiring poets of all levels are invited to a free workshop hosted by SUNY Oswego professor and poet Laura Donnelly. Participants will read and discuss examples of nature poetry and will then be guided through writing prompts designed to spark new poems. At the end of the session, attendees will discuss what came up in their writing. This is a welcoming and pressure-free writing space. Registration is required: please visit oswego.edu/rice-creek to sign up.
Experience Rice Creek: Current Discoveries, Research, and Projects: Saturday, Nov, 14, 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees at Rice Creek Associates’ annual event celebrating research get to look behind the scenes at field research and creative projects taking place at the field station. Faculty and students who were awarded 2026 RCA Small Grants will each present for 10 to 15 minutes on their work over the past field season. This year’s topics include monarch butterfly migration, antifungal resistance discovered in wild yeasts, the influence of wetlands and rain-on-snow events on Rice Creek’s water quality, common snapping turtle embryo development, insect displays and a creative nonfiction project involving trees. This is a hybrid event, with a Zoom attendance option. In-person attendees are kindly asked to RSVP to [email protected], as refreshments are provided.
Telescope Observatory Sessions: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, 7 to 9 p.m. Rice Creek’s popular telescope sessions, hosted by astronomer John Zielinski, offer attendees the opportunity to gaze through the observatory's large 16-inch wide telescope at celestial objects like the moon, bright planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Since clear weather is necessary for observing, interested participants should call (315) 312-6620 after 6 p.m. on the evening of each event to hear a recorded weather announcement.
Migratory Owl Banding: Evenings, October and November. Northern saw-whet Owls are the smallest owl species found in New York state. Because they are secretive and often go unnoticed, it is harder to track their movements and population trends. Banding (attaching a unique metal identification band to a bird’s leg) provides insights into their migratory routes and survivability. During their migration season, members of the public are invited to join Daniel Baldassarre and the Rice Creek Bird Observatory team as they safely capture saw-whet owls in mist nets and band them. Spaces are limited to avoid stressing the birds. To receive updates, please join the RCBO email list by visiting bit.ly/ricecreek_banding.
Evening Bat Walk: Saturday, Oct. 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bats are the only mammal capable of true, powered flight — and that is just the beginning of a bat's superpowers. Participants are invited to join naturalist Tim McMonagle on an evening walk to look for bats, while also using a special device that detects bats' ultrasonic vocalizations and identifies them to species. Along the way, McMonagle will also provide information about bats, including their life history, amazing adaptations and conservation needs. Each participant should bring a light source and sturdy walking shoes.
CNY Folksmarch Walking Events: Saturday, Nov, 7, 9 a.m. to noon, and Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 to 3 p.m. CNY Folksmarch is a recreational walking club that has held monthly, non-competitive walking events for people of all ages and abilities since 1981, at locations throughout the Central New York region. November’s events will take place at Rice Creek Field Station, where walkers can choose from over five miles of walking trails, including the Purple Accessible Trail that meets federal trail accessibility guidelines. First-time walkers can join for free. For all others, it is just $1 to $4 per person (or $9 per family) to participate.
Evening Owl Prowl: Saturday, Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Interested participants are invited to join naturalist Tim McMonagle for an evening Owl Prowl. Participants will start inside, learning about owls and their unique adaptations, before hitting the trails to search for owls by sight and sound. Please dress warmly and prepare for muddy or icy trails. Each participant should also bring a light source.
At all programs, children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. For outdoor programs, attendees are encouraged to dress for sun and tick protection and wear boots or sturdy, water-resistant shoes. To learn more about any of these events or to sign up for Rice Creek’s monthly program email list, visit linktr.ee/ricecreek.
Accessibility at Rice Creek
Rice Creek Field Station welcomes people of all abilities. Rice Creek's main building and parking areas are ADA accessible. The Purple Trail, opened earlier this year, is built to comply with U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines, making it accessible during spring, summer and fall to many people who use wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and other mobility devices. To inquire about accommodations for a program, please contact Rice Creek Field Station at (315) 312-6677 or [email protected].
About Rice Creek Field Station
Rice Creek Field Station’s visitor building hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays; holidays affect building hours. The station’s five miles of trails are open from dawn to dusk every day. Visitors are asked to please keep pets on a leash and to respect the station’s policy of no fishing, hunting or trapping on the property.
A unit of SUNY Oswego, Rice Creek Field Station is committed to advancing environmental education and field research. The 350-acre property, composed of fields, forests and wetlands, is a living laboratory for understanding the natural world. Rice Creek serves the SUNY Oswego community and is also open to the general public. 2026 marks Rice Creek’s 60th anniversary, as well as the 40th anniversary of Rice Creek Associates, the community support group for the field station. To learn more or become a member, please visit oswego.edu/rice-creek.
-- Submitted by Rice Creek Field Station