Rice Creek Field Station

06/06/2026

Due to a family emergency, our Evening Frog Foray is canceled for this evening (Sat, June 6). "Hop" to see you another time!

Oswego Alumni Oswego, NY Oswego County Tourism SUNY Oswego Rice Creek

06/05/2026

In honor of National Trails Day and SUNY Oswego's Alumni Weekend, we have a full day of special programs on Saturday, June 6!

From 9:30 a.m. to noon, we're honored to host this year's National Trails Day Event, organized by the Oswego County Healthy Miles Coalition and the Rural Health Network of Oswego County. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with tabling by OCO and other organizations, with a group walk on our Purple Accessible Trail at 10 a.m. Attending is a great way to show your support for the county's accessible trails, and learn about all of the Healthy Miles-designated trails in Oswego County.

At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Naturalist Tim McMonagle will lead guided nature walks on the Purple Accessible Trail, followed by an optional behind-the-scenes building tour.

Capping off the day, at 8 p.m., Tim will lead an Evening Frog Foray. Participants will encounter several species of frogs by sight and sound—including some that Tim safely catches for closer examination. This program is not fully accessible. Please dress for tick and insect prevention.

We hope to see you hitting the trails!

OCO Rural Health Network of Oswego County Rice Creek Oswego County Tourism
SUNY Oswego SUNY Oswego Youth Programs Oswego, NY Oswego Alumni

05/29/2026

It’s field trip season, and the Rice Creek crew has been teaming up with the Great Lakes Institute to explore watershed health with our young visitors!

Stream macroinvertebrates, or small, spineless critters, tell us about the health of water, as these groups and species vary in how sensitive they are to pollution. We call them “bioindicators.” Our young learners got to catch, sort, and identify these bioindicators to understand the health of Rice Creek.

Macroinvertebrates may look a bit scary and other-worldly, but they are an interesting, biodiverse group that is easily overlooked—and a powerful tool for scientists!

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

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