2008 Calendar of Events

 The trails of the GSC are open every day from dawn to dusk for self-guided cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and bird watching - weather permitting.   No fee.

• January 12 - GSC Annual Meeting, 1 pm  (at the GSC Headquarters)

Members are encouraged to attend this annual update of our accomplishments and plans for the future.  Special Program : ... "Know Your Lake and Watershed" - Kelly Somerlot. 

• January 26-  Winter Wonderland-, 10 to 11am No Fee.   697-2950  *Pre-registration required.   

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and feel of nature in winter. Bring your boots, snowshoes or cross-country skis for a guided tour of this special place along the trails and boardwalk of the GSC.

• February 9 - Winter Weeds,  10am to 11am     697-2950  No Fee.  *Pre-registration required

•  February 23 - Winter Hibernation Festival,  10am to 3pm      697-2950

Come out of hibernation and join us for this fun-filled day of winter activities for the whole family: skating, skiing, sledding, demonstrations, contests, bonfire, food and more!    $3/ person or $10/ family. 

• March 21 -  Easter Egg Hunt, 10am to noon  697-2950 

Welcome parents and children of all ages! Hundreds of candy-filled eggs (with a special prize for the Golden Egg) will be the rewards in each age category. The hunt will begin exactly at 11 am sharp! Enjoy the events, games, food and fun!  $1/child.

• March 29 -  Bluebirds !!!, 1 to 2:30pm  697-2950  * Pre-registration required 

 Bluebird specialist, John Rogers will give a presentation and slide show on our state bird. Afterward, you may build your own bluebird box (optional).  Instructions and all materials will be provided for a fee of $10. Open to all age groups.

• April 12 -  Wood Ducks in our Wetlands, 10am to noon    697-2950 * Pre-registration required

Find out how these beautiful waterfowl are fairing in Central New York, and build your own wood duck box to assist in their survival. All needed materials will be provided for a fee of $12. 

• April 22 -  Earth Day Public Tree Planting Celebration,  1 pm    697-2950    No Fee. 

The GSC will again celebrate Earth Day by a special tree planting celebration at our Nature Center.  Public welcome.

• April 25 -  National Arbor Day, 1 to 3 pm  697-2950 

There will be a tree-planting program to celebrate Arbor Day at local Canastota schools.             

• May 3 & 4 -  Spring Migration Nature Art Festival, 10 am- 4pm   697-2950 

Our 10th Annual Spring Migration Festival will feature acclaimed wildlife artists, live animal demonstrations, tours, games, entertainment, food and more! $4/person or $10/family.

• May 17  -  The Sounds of Spring: Calling All Ducks, 10- 11:30pm  697-2950     *  Pre-registration required.    No fee

Learn to use duck calls and identify waterfowl. Take a guided tour of this special place along the trails and bpardwalk of the GSC to listen for the many sounds of spring, especially birds. 

• May 17 -  Madison County Promise Celebrates Youth,  10am - 2pm     *Pre-registration required.

Madison County Promise Youth Celebration Picnic. Register at 697-3947.

• May 24 -  Field Trip to the Rome Sand Plains- 10 am to noon,   697-2950   * Pre-registration required. No fee

Join us at the GSC and we will carpool to the Rome Sand Plains to view the lupines.

• June 28 - What Lives in this Pond , 1pm to 2 pm 697-2950   * Pre-registration required.  No fee

This is an opportunity for children (and parents) to get their feet wet and explore nature with the aid of nets, bottles, and magnifying glasses. 

• July 11 & 12  - 9am to 4pm, (no early birds) GSC Community Garage Sale  697-2950 

Families are encouraged to set up their own booth for a fee of $5. To donate clean usable items to GSC simply drop off clean usable items ( NO TVs or chemicals, please) at the barn between 9 am - 4 pm any weekday before the sale.

• July 12 -  Digital Photography- Closer than the Naked Eye, 9am to 11am   697-2950  * Pre-registration required.

Join wildlife photographer Cheri Sassman, NYS Fair Blue Ribbon Winner, to learn the special techniques of nature photography using a digital camera.  Bring your own equipment.  Fee: $7/ person. Limited to 15 people.

• July 15-  Antique and Fine Arts Appraisal, 1 to 7pm  697-2950 

Bring in your treasured items for appraisal. Appraiser TBA.

• July 19 -  Fishing at Simpson Park, 10 am to 11 pm  (315 ) 697-2950         

Parents and children welcome to the Gorman Fishing Area at Simpson Park. Handicap accessable fishing dock and picnic area. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a fishing pole and bait. Catch and release.

• August 9 - Wood Carving for Children, 10 am  697-2950   *  Pre-registration required.   Fee: $5

This great program is offered to kids or the kid at heart. Join master carver Ted Morrison to learn how to create a nature art object out of soap. Limited to 15 people.

• August 12 -  Annual Chicken BBQ, 11am to 4pm  (or until gone)  697-2950

Continue this annual tradition and bring the family to the best chicken barbeque around! Picnic on the grounds; eat in or take out.  $8/ dinner.

• September 13 & 14 -  Fall Migration "Antique Show and Sale"  Festival,  10am to 4pm  697-2950

For the third year, antique dealers and seekers will get together at the GSC's Fall Migration Festival. In addition there wil be environmental displays, food, music, and outdoor fun to highlight the day. $4/person or $10/ family.

• September 27 - Coyotes, 10 to 11 am   697-2950   *  Pre-registration required.  

The highly intellegent coyote is a study of adaptation to its environment and to its human neighbors.  Program will be a synopsis of the study being done by Prof. Jaqueline Frair of ESF over the last two years and includes data gathered from "scat", live trapping and observation.  This is sure to be informative and interesting.

• October 4 - Bobcats in Central New York 10- 11 am  697-2950

Learn about the animal, its behaviors, habitat and status in Central New York.  Presented by a DEC official

• October 26 -    Great Halloween Fun Day ,  10am to 3pm  687-2950 

A non-scarey fun day especially for children, includes displays, crafts, games. Features pinata &  stories - costumes encouraged. A great day of kid's events.  $3/ child 12 and under

• November 1 - Owl Prowl,  7pm   697-2950   * Pre-registration required.   Fee:  $5/ person.

Discover how owls rule the night: their adaptations, hunting skills, where they roost and how to find them on this night hike in search of owls with wildlife rehabilitator Bonnie Folnsbee. 

• November 8 -  (tentative) GSC Annual Harvest Dinner  1pm -  Wampsville Fire  Hall,      * Pre-registration required.  Fee: $20/ person.

 Celebrate Thanksgiving early with your friends from the Great Swamp Conservancy. Details to be announced. Reservations required. 

• November 15 - Feeding Winter Birds, 10am to 11 am   697-2950    * Pre-registration required.  No fee.  

Find out how to identify winter birds and attract the greatest variety of birds to your feeder.

• December 6 & 7 - Christmas Tree Sale, 10 am to 4 pm    697-2950

Plan on getting your fresh-cut Christmas tree ($25) at the GSC this year. Also available: edible ornaments for wildlife and nature oriented gifts.