There are many ways to support the mission of Rice Creek Field Station, including becoming a member, making a donation, or volunteering your time. All of these activities fall under the umbrella of Rice Creek Associates, the support group for the field station. Below, learn more about membership, giving, volunteering, and the Rice Creek Associates organization.
Rice Creek Associates
Membership and Support
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.
Become a Member
Members of Rice Creek Associates (RCA) help support educational programming, research and grant funding, trail and infrastructure projects, 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 with field station updates and articles on natural history, local art, and book reviews
- Get a reduced rate for the Exploring Nature summer program and RCA's popular watercolor classes
- Get entered in our quarterly drawing for Rice Creek swag
- Receive a numbered art print by John Weeks when joining or upgrading the Sustaining level
Membership Levels
- Student - $5
- Individual - $15
- Couple/family - $25
- Contributing - $35
- Sustaining - $75
- Lifetime - $350
- Corporate - $500
Give to Rice Creek
Rice Creek welcomes donations of any amount to support our mission and programs. All giving is processed by Rice Creek Associates through the Oswego University Foundation. There are no overhead fees for RCA, so 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting Rice Creek's projects and programming. RCA works with the Rice Creek staff to direct gifts toward the greatest need.
Online Giving
Secure online giving to RCA is available through the Oswego University Foundation. If you wish your donation to go toward a specific project or cause, please let us know by calling 315.312.6677 or emailing us at [email protected].
Currently, we have a special campaign for Rice Creek's Accessible Trail Project, with the goal of providing inclusive outdoor opportunities to our community.
Giving by Mail
Please make checks payable to Oswego University 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
Giving Options
If you are interested in planned giving, employer matching gifts, payroll deduction, gifts of stock and securities, or IRA charitable rollover gifts, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We are happy to work with you in setting up these options.
Ongoing Programs
Below are some of the ongoing projects and programs provided by Rice Creek Field Station that are supported and funded through donations and RCA membership fees.
Small Grants
Each year, RCA awards grants to support research and scholarly projects. These awards are the most significant source of research support at RCFS, covering student salaries, supplies, and more.
Reflections Series
RCA organizes an annual invited speaker series covering topics of interest to the community related to local ecology and environmental themes. Talks are free and available to attend in-person or by Zoom.
Accessible Trails
Working closely with RCFS staff, RCA is on a mission to fund and develop inclusive outdoor spaces at Rice Creek, including access to the Herb Garden and a 0.4-mile accessible section of the Green Trail.
Youth Programming
With the support of RCA, Rice Creek engages youth in the excitement of nature discovery through Exploring Nature summer camp, a monthly Junior Naturalist program, field trips, and special events.
Earth Day celebration by the pavilion and herb garden.
The Ruth Sachidanandan herb garden.
The 2019 RCA Annual Research Symposium, "Experience Rice Creek."
Monarch Way Station.
The RCA board members and RCFS founder Dr. John Weeks.
Winter Wilderness survival RCA reflection.
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 and December). 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 & Secretary
- Don Artz, 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
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