SUNY Oswego home page
field and tree line

Thank you for your interest in supporting the field station

Membership and Support

There are many ways to support the mission of Rice Creek Field Station. These include becoming a member of the Rice Creek Associates, making a donation, or volunteering your time. We greatly appreciate everyone who visits and supports Rice Creek!

Volunteer Opportunities 

Volunteers support the filed station in many ways, including assisting with trail maintenance, collecting seeds and transplanting seedlings, tending the herb garden, and more. We welcome volunteers from SUNY Oswego, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Oswego County, and members of the local community. Visit our volunteering site to learn about the opportunities available and sign up. 

Volunteer at Rice Creek

Rice Creek Associates

Rice Creek Associates (RCA) is a community of like-minded people who share a passion for nature and a desire to support Rice Creek Field Station. Formed in 1986, RCA supports Rice Creek Field Station's mission by expanding the scientific, educational, and recreational opportunities at the Field Station through community involvement.

Over the years RCA has continued to increase its membership, making it possible to fund improvement projects which benefit the station and the community at large. Through volunteer work, RCA members contribute to the field station in a variety of ways. All are welcome and annual memberships start at just $5. Find out about RCA's programs and projects below, and learn how to become a member.

Rice Creek Associates logo

Become a Member

Members of Rice Creek Associates (RCA) help support our educational programming, research and grant funding, operation and maintenance costs, and so much more! Memberships are renewed annually, with the exception of lifetime memberships. Join or renew your membership online or by downloading and mailing our membership form below.

Membership Benefits

  • Join a community of individuals who care about nature and the environment
  • Receive our quarterly newsletter
  • Get a reduced rate for the Exploring Nature summer program
  • Attend Board of Directors meetings
  • Receive an RCA window cling
  • Get entered in our quarterly drawing for Rice Creek swag

Membership Levels

  • Student - $5
  • Individual - $15
  • Couple/family - $25
  • Contributing - $35
  • Sustaining - $75
  • Lifetime - $350
  • Corporate - $500
Join or Renew Online Download Printable Form

Donate to RCA

Whether you are have been a member of Rice Creek Associates for years, or you just want to donate once, we greatly appreciate you! There are no overhead fees for RCA, so 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting our projects and programming. You can help ensure the future of Rice Creek by becoming a member or making a donation today.

Online Giving

Secure online giving to RCA is available through the Oswego College Foundation. If you wish your donation to go toward a specific project or cause, please let us know by calling 315-312-6677 or email us at [email protected].

Giving by Mail

Please make checks payable to Oswego College Foundation/RCA. The memo section can be used to specify a specific project or cause, if desired. Checks should be mailed to:

SUNY Oswego - Rice Creek
7060 State Route 104
Oswego, New York 13126

Ongoing Programs

Below are some of the ongoing projects and programming provided by Rice Creek Field Station that are supported and funded through donations and RCA Membership fees. 

Someone makes a bid on a clipboard in a room where art is displayed

Inspired by Nature Art Auction

Friday, October 18, 3–5 pm & Saturday, October 19, 1:30–3:30 pm

Rice Creek Associates again invites the public and campus community to a weekend of art and music at Rice Creek Field Station, as part of SUNY Oswego's Family and Friends Weekend. All events are free and open to the public. Live acoustic music, refreshments and hands-on art activities complement the main event: the silent auction. Art pieces will be available for online preview before the event. The auction features works donated by local artists and collectors, and proceeds will support RCA's accessible hiking trails project. Visit our Art Auction website for more details.

Small Grants

Each year, RCA awards small grants which can be used for supplies, equipment, and other associated research costs. These grants are the most significant source of research support at RCFS.

Rice Creek Associates Reflections Presentations

At these bi-monthly talks hosted by the Rice Creek Associates, speakers present on a variety of topics related to local ecology and environmental themes of interest to the community.

Youth Summer Camp

Exploring Nature summer camp helps spark curiosity about the world around us. Participants, ages 5-16, enjoy habitat exploration, nature walks, learning games, and creative activities. 

Ruth Sachidanandan Herb Garden

For over 30 years, our Herb Garden has provided a peaceful spot for both visitors and pollinators to enjoy. Dozens of lush and fragrant herbs fill the garden each year.

Trail Maintenance

Donations from RCA members support ongoing work for Rice Creek's five miles of trails. Past projects have included constructing trail boardwalks and installing registration boxes at trailheads.

Restoration

The goal of the Canal Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) is to restore highly desired woods that are currently rare in upstate New York, by raising 1,000 or more seedlings each year.

supporters gathering in an outdoor pavilion

Earth Day celebration by the pavilion and herb garden.

herb garden

The Ruth Sachidanandan herb garden.

annual symposium class lecture

The 2019 RCA Annual Research Symposium, "Experience Rice Creek."

Monarch Way Station display

Monarch Way Station.

RCA board members

The RCA board members and RCFS founder Dr. John Weeks.

outdoor winter wilderness survival

Winter Wilderness survival RCA reflection.

transplanting tree seedlings

RCFS director Kamal Mohamed and RCA board president Laura Artz transplanting tree seedlings.

Board of Directors

The operational policies of Rice Creek Associates are managed by its Board of Directors. Directors are elected from the general membership and serve three-year terms. Board meetings are scheduled for 4 pm every third Wednesday of the month (excluding August). Members are welcome to attend. Please call the Field Station at 315-312-6677 the week of a meeting to confirm scheduling.

  • Laurel Artz, President
  • Pat Jones, Co-Vice President
  • Sheri Morey, Co-Vice President
  • Don Artz, Secretary & Memberships
  • Wendy Fragale, Treasurer
  • Andrew McElwain, Small Grants Chair
  • Brendan Ackerly, Student Representative
  • Cory Brosch
  • Michael Flanagan
  • Michael Holy
  • Paul Knittel
  • Kamal Mohamed, Ex Officio
  • Kristen Haynes, Ex Officio

Newsletters

Newsletters are archived here one year after release. Current RCA members may request electronic access to more recent newsletters by emailing [email protected].

Contact 

Rice Creek Associates 
Phone: 315.312.6677
Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address

7060 State Route 104
SUNY Oswego - Rice Creek
Oswego, NY 13126

Connect With Us

Facebook