Rice Creek Field Station

05/22/2026

Dr. John Zielinski is back to host telescope nights this weekend—Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, from 10 p.m. until midnight. Visitors will observe the Moon, Jupiter, and Venus.

Since clear skies are needed for observing, please call (315) 312-6620 after 6 pm on the evening of each event to hear a recorded weather update.

Photo Credit: Steven J. Scott

Oswego County Tourism SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY

05/14/2026

Congratulations to all of Rice Creek's graduating seniors! We're so grateful for the efforts of our student staff, volunteers, and researchers who help us meet our mission each year.

Pictured here are four seniors: Julia Ryan (author of a new digital field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of Rice Creek), Margaret Chau (Canal Forest Restoration Project Intern and Front Desk Assistant), Aidan Majeski (Collections Curatorial Assistant), and Lizzie Mullé (SUNY Empire State Service Corps Member).

Other graduating seniors on our staff include: Jaden Melendez, Jordan Morgan, Ashly Ramirez-Corado, Angie Ramos, and Morgan Schaffer.

Thank you all for your contributions to Rice Creek. We wish you all the best in your next chapter!

SUNY Oswego

05/04/2026

Rice Creek's Purple Accessible Trail is officially open! This trail, built to U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines, offers access to those who use mobility devices like strollers and wheelchairs, and provides an improved experience for everyone!

Along the trail, visitors can enjoy a new Story Trail installed by Oswego Public Library, and QR-code-guided interpretive information on the amphibians and reptiles of Rice Creek. To park near the trailhead, come during our regular business hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our grand opening celebration on April 30, as well as everyone who supported the project: contractors, colleagues, volunteers, and community organizations. We especially want to thank our major donors and sponsors, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, the Gifford Foundation, Worden Hill Construction, Brookfield Renewable, N.A., SUNY Outdoors for All, the Shineman Endowed Fund @ SUNY Oswego, and Rice Creek Associates.

You can help us, too, by visiting and spreading the word! Our building and trails are open to the public.

SUNY Oswego Richard S. Shineman Foundation The Gifford Foundation
Oswego Public Library Rice Creek Oswego County Tourism iHeartOswego
OCO Rural Health Network of Oswego County

04/27/2026

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌱 Are you looking for inspiring ways to help the Earth? Join us this Saturday, April 25, at Rice Creek's Arbor Day Celebration!

Co-hosted by the Office of Sustainability, this event features free trees, a pancake breakfast with campus-made maple syrup, a student craft fair, and two "brunch and learn" talks to inspire action:

At 11 a.m., ESF Pollinator Ecologist Molly Jacobson will discuss "Supporting Pollinators with Native Trees, Shrubs, and Gardens." Many people focus on herbaceous flowers when planning pollinator habitat, but trees and shrubs are just as important! Molly will share tips for transforming any space into a pollinator haven to support native bees, butterflies, moths, ants, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.

At 11:30 a.m., Sarah Reckess, an Assistant Professor of Bioethics and Humanities at Upstate Medical University, will speak on "Embracing Civic Engagement in a World of Science Skeptics." Sarah's talk will address how we can all be better advocates for science in our communities during an era of defunding and skepticism.

These talks will also be available over Zoom for those unable to come in person. Help us spread the word!

How are you celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credits: XERCES Society, Molly Jacobson, and SUNY Upstate Medical University.

SUNY Oswego Great Lakes Institute at SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY Oswego County Tourism Rice Creek

https://www.facebook.com/events/2991440127727526/

04/09/2026

Save the date! The grand opening of our new Purple Accessible Trail is three weeks from today, on Thursday, April 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Designed to promote inclusive access to nature, this 0.6-mile trail features gentle slopes and stable, flat surfaces of packed stone dust and boardwalks. Meeting U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines, the Purple Trail is suitable for many people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers, and provides an enhanced experience for everyone.

The grand opening event features a ribbon cutting and remarks, followed by guided and unguided trail experiences, live music, light refreshments, and a make-and-take craft. Visit our website (linked in our bio) for full details.

Thank you to the many people and organizations who made the Purple Trail possible through donations and grants—Rice Creek Associates, the Shineman Endowed Fund @ SUNY Oswego, Worden Hill Construction, the Gifford Foundation, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, SUNY Outdoors for All, and Brookfield Renewable, N.A., and private donors. Thank you also to our wonderful contractors and designers, including Raffa Landscaping and Design, Worden Hill Construction, Andrew Bailey Custom Woodworking, and graphic designer Zandyr Meakin. Final thanks to the staff at SUNY Oswego, especially Rice Creek's Tom Neill, for support throughout the project!

SUNY Oswego Oswego County Tourism Rice Creek The Gifford Foundation
Richard S. Shineman Foundation

04/03/2026

We're kicking off Earth Month with three programs this Saturday, April 4! 🌱

At 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., dive into the world of the North American Beaver with our "Busy as a Beaver" programs, which include a guided walk. Boots are highly recommended!

At 2 p.m., join us in person or over Zoom to hear Dr. Dan Baldassarre's Reflection talk: "Bird research with undergraduates at Rice Creek Field Station." Learn about Northern Cardinal behavior, Bobolink breeding, Northern Saw-whet Owl migration, and the Rice Creek Bird Observatory's banding station!

From 1 to 3 p.m., stop by our table at the Children's Museum of Oswego. We'll be planting personal White Pine trees to take home in honor of Earth Month and Arbor Day.

SUNY Oswego Youth Programs SUNY Oswego The Children's Museum of Oswego
Oswego County Tourism

03/27/2026

Dr. John Zielinski's March telescope nights will take place this Friday through Sunday, March 27, 28, and 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visitors will enjoy seeing celestial objects like bright planets, galaxies, nebulae, and the moon!

Since clear weather is needed for observing the night sky, interested participants should call (315) 312-6620 after 6 pm on the evening of each event to hear a recorded message announcing whether or not the observation session will take place that evening.

For more details, visit our homepage or the link in our bio!


Dr. John Zielinski's March telescope nights will take place this Friday through Sunday, March 27, 28, and 29, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visitors will enjoy seeing celestial objects like bright planets, galaxies, nebulae, and the moon!