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Program and Events

Rice Creek Field Station brings nature to life for our campus and community with environmental education programs for people of all ages, including children, college students, and adult community members. In addition to our programming, the Field Station building offers ongoing attractions, including our natural history displays and featured artwork.

Stay Up-to-Date

Our upcoming programs are listed below. To stay informed about Rice Creek's programs and events, we invite you to join our monthly mailing list, connect with us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram.

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Upcoming Events

Ongoing Programs

Free and open to the public

Rice Creek Reflections

At these 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. Participants can join in person or by Zoom.

Registration required

Exploring Nature

Our educational summer camp encourages young people's curiosity about their world. Participants discover nature first-hand through nature walks, activities, and games.

Free and open to the public

Junior Naturalist Program

Budding junior naturalists and their families are invited for monthly themed walks and nature activities. Once children attend 5 programs, they are inducted as a "Rice Creek Junior Naturalist"!

Free and open to the public

Telescope Observation Nights

Every other month, emeritus faculty member Dr. John Zielinski opens the Rice Creek Observatory for a weekend of observation evenings. Participants will gaze at the moon, stars, bright planets, galaxies, and nebulae.

Sign up for alerts

Bird and Owl Banding

Bird banding offers the opportunity to observe wild birds up close as they are humanely captured, measured, "banded" with a unique identifier bracelet, and released.

Free and Open to the Public

Experience Rice Creek

Each November, the public and campus community are invited to an afternoon celebrating the recent research and scholarly accomplishments of Rice Creek students and faculty through short presentations and posters.

Parking & Transportation

Free parking is available by the field station building, with no permit required. Student transportation is available Monday through Friday (Centro Green Route Bus) and Saturdays (van shuttle) during the Fall and Spring semesters. Our Visit Rice Creek page has full details.

Accessibility

We welcome people of all abilities to Rice Creek Field Station. Rice Creek's main building and parking areas are ADA accessible. The Purple Trail, scheduled to open in April 2026, is built to comply with U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines

Although we strive to create inclusive programs, not all programs will be accessible to all individuals. Please reach out to us at [email protected] or (315) 312-6677 to inquire about accommodations. We would be happy to work with you.

Contact

193 Thompson Road
Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: 315.312.6677
Email: [email protected]

Hours

Building Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm
Saturday, 9 am–3 pm

Trail Hours
Dawn to dusk

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