Budding junior naturalists and their families are invited for monthly themed programs at Rice Creek Field Station, involving nature walks and related activities. Environmental educators, current/retired K-12 teachers, will be your guides to exploring the change of seasons, animals and plants, habitats and natural communities of Rice Creek Field Station, a 350-acre natural area and wildlife preserve operated by SUNY Oswego.

Programs take place on the first Saturday of each month, at 10 am and 1 pm, and last around 1.5 hours. Once children attend 10 programs, they will be inducted as a "Rice Creek Junior Naturalist."

Participation is free for children and their families, and all are welcome. Please note that children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Children should dress to be comfortable for about 1.5 hours spent both indoors and outdoors. Rain boots are highly encouraged in late fall, winter, and spring due to variable and muddy trail conditions.

Monthly themes:

October 2023: Wooly Bear Wander. Join Mr. Tim on a walk to search for and learn about wooly bears and any other forest friends we find preparing for fall.

Past themes:

• March 2022: Spring is Awakening
• April 2022: Mud Madness
• May 2022: May Flowers
• June 2022: Pondering Pond Life
• July 2022: The Summer Sun
• August 2022: Magnificent Monarchs
• September 2022: Learning our Leaves
• October 2022: Wooly Bear Caterpillars
• November 2022: "Pod critters" - crafts with seeds and pods
• December 2022: Exploring Evergreens
• January 2023: Who is Sleeping?
• February 2023: Animal Track Detectives
• March 2023: Marvelous Maple
• April 2023: Busy Beavers
• May 2023: Feathered Friends
• June 2023: Pondering Pond Life
• July 2023: Nature Games
• August 2023: Frog Fiesta
• September 2023: Leaf Printing - create a towel for Fall
• October 2023: Wooly Bear Wander

For more information on Rice Creek Field Station, please visit oswego.edu/rice-creek. Program questions can be directed to rcfs@oswego.edu or 315.312.6677.