Rice Creek Field Station

The Field Station provides public programs in nature education for groups and individuals, school-aged to adult. Four nature trails, open to the public, provide opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Field Station building is open year-round for the public to explore our natural history and art displays, and view wildlife.

The Canal Forest Restoration Project (CFRP) is on a mission to restore the presence of white oak and white pine trees in New York State’s Canal Regions. For many generations, these trees were prized and over-exploited for building ships, barrels and structures and eventually were almost wiped out. This project aims to grow seedlings at Rice Creek and transplant them across the region.

There is a wealth of research opportunities for SUNY Oswego faculty, students and outside researchers. In addition to research, Rice Creek also supports courses and projects across a variety of disciplines including art, communication, computer sciences and natural sciences. Each year, over 100 students utilize Rice Creek facilities to conduct research, study our specimens and observe the natural history.

Get the latest weather information from our station at Rice Creek. We record minute-by-minute data on air, soil, and water temperature as well as precipitation, soil moisture, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction, and other metrics.

Rice Creek Field Station is a top-notch academic and research facility with an emphasis on sustainability. Facilities at the Field Station include a classroom, laboratories, a specimen collection room, and an observatory.

By becoming a Rice Creek Associates member, making a donation, or volunteering your time you can help support our educational programming, research, conservation projects, and so much more!