Please note: these Community Events are not run by Wild Ones HGCNY
December 1, 2025
Discovering Wildlife through Trail Cameras at Baltimore Woods
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2025
Where: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Rd, Marcellus, NY 13108
Description: Trail cameras capture what your eyes may never see! With trail cameras we can observe the local ecosystem and learn all about the natural world right in our own community. We’ll be learning how to set up trail cameras and how to adjust features, hiking to set them up around Baltimore Woods, and taking a look at captured footage from other Baltimore Woods trail cameras. Join us at Baltimore Woods to capture the mysteries of nature with trail cameras.
This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required. The first part of this program will take place inside the John A. Weeks Interpretive Center. We will then hike along trails to set up our cameras. Some of these moderate trails have packed crushed stone. The other most difficult trails have natural surfaces like dirt, mud, and grass, with narrow stretches, roots, steps, and rocks.
Fee: $6 (members), $9 (non-members)
Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/QqS2HJguM0yqLO4OOJ-GBg2
Link: https://baltimorewoods.org/event/discovering-wildlife-through-trail-cameras/
December 6, 2025
Meet the Evergreens – Guided Walk at Green Lakes State Park
When: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 6, 2025
Where: Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, NY 13066
Description: Join Environmental Educator Katie on a guided walk to meet the evergreens at Green Lakes! We will discuss stories about different evergreens, including how they became Christmas Tree’s. This walk will be 1 – 2 miles on moderate trails. Dress appropriately for the weather. Meet at the Environmental Education Center.
December 6, 2025
Birds, Beverages and Small Bites: A Conservation and Policy Presentation
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, December 6, 2025
Where: Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 NY-89, Savannah, NY 13146
Description: Across the Americas, including New York State, climate change and the current biodiversity crisis are contributing to a significant decline in bird populations.
On Saturday, December 6th, join us for a free presentation to learn more about conservation and restoration efforts in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and Great Lakes and to take a mini training on how to advocate for birds and the places they need to survive —all while enjoying delicious light refreshments!
Experts from the National Audubon Society and the Onondaga Audubon will discuss how restoring and protecting New York State’s natural habitats helps address current environmental crises and declines in bird populations, and provide you with the tools you need to be an effective environmental advocate through a mini advocacy training.
Speakers
- Mini Advocacy Training: Environmental Protection Fund – Erin McGrath, Policy Director for Audubon New York
- Habitat Restoration at the Montezuma Audubon Center – Andrew D’Amato, Hobart & William Smith Colleges student and former Montezuma Audubon Center Intern
- Piping Plovers of the Great Lakes – Alison Kocek, Vice President of Onondaga Audubon
This event is FREE but registration is required to attend.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 315-365-3588.
December 9, 2025
Nest Quest at Beaver Lake Nature Center
When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Description: Join us for a nest quest here at the Nature Center! We’ll begin indoors with a close look at different kinds of nests you might spot along the trails. Then we’ll head outside to see how many real-life nests we can discover in the wild!
Fee: $2 (members), $3 (non-members)
Registration fee does not include park admission fee ($5/vehicle)
December 11, 2025
Weird and Wonderful Woodpeckers at Baltimore Woods
When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025
Where: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Rd, Marcellus, NY 13108
Description: Have you ever wondered how woodpeckers avoid getting headaches, or how they find insects hiding under tree bark? Come along to learn about the many adaptations that help these resourceful birds to survive. We will watch woodpeckers at our birdfeeders, search for areas where woodpeckers have been especially active in the forest, and learn how they help our local ecosystems. Please bring binoculars if you have them; a few extras will also be provided.
This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required. This program will include a hike along the Overlook Trail, which is one of our more difficult trails with hills and exposed rocks and roots.
Fee: $6 (members), $9 (non-members)
Register: https://secure.everyaction.com/xBezikLvqUa6v1MNj1Brww2
Link: https://baltimorewoods.org/event/weird-and-wonderful-woodpeckers/
December 11, 2025
Winter Waterfowl Workshop at Beaver Lake Nature Center
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025
Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Description: Everything you ever wanted to know about waterfowl and more! Join us for a special collaboration with the Montezuma Audubon Center. Begin with an engaging workshop covering the finer points of waterfowl identification, then bundle up and head outdoors to search for ducks, geese, and swans on Beaver Lake’s open waters. Binoculars are available to borrow.
Fee: $2 (members), $3 (non-members)
Registration fee does not include park admission fee ($5/vehicle)
Link: https://beaverlakenature.org/events/view/winter-waterfowl-workshop/
December 13 or 20, 2025
Birdwatching for Science at Rice Creek Field Station
When: 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Saturday, December 13 or 20, 2025
Where: Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road, Oswego, NY 13126
Description: Have you always been interested in birdwatching, but don’t know where to begin? Or perhaps you are already familiar with local birds, and wish to channel your passion into science?
Whether you are just getting started, or are already experienced with birding, this program is a welcoming space to learn, enjoy, and contribute to science. Those unfamiliar with birds will learn tips on identifying common backyard birds. Those already experienced can count the birds they see for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Project Feederwatch” community science program — a bird monitoring program that has been operating throughout North America for almost 40 years. Data submitted to the program are used to study bird behavior and long-term trends in bird populations to inform conservation.
Visitors can expect to see 5 to 14 species of birds during their visit, depending on the weather and the length of time they watch. All birdwatching takes place from the comfort of the indoors. Photography is welcome.
This weekly program takes place on Saturdays (except the first of the month) from 9:30 to 10:45 am. Visitors are encouraged to stay for the Guided Nature Walk taking place these same Saturdays at 11 am.
Link: for the 12/13/25 event: https://calendar.oswego.edu/event/birdwatching and for the 12/20/25 event: https://calendar.oswego.edu/event/birdwatching-for-science-exploreoswego
December 13 or 20, 2025
Guided Nature Walk at Rice Creek Field Station
When: 11 a.m., Saturday, December 13 or 20, 2025
Where: Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road, Oswego, NY 13126
Description: Rice Creek’s naturalists will be your guides as you explore the forests, fields, wetlands, and waterways of Rice Creek Field Station, a 350-acre wildlife preserve dedicated to supporting research and education.
These free walks are open to the general public and suitable for all ages. Walks are 1 mile or less over gentle to moderate terrain on one of Rice Creek’s four trails, and approximately 1 hour in length. Adult- and youth-sized snowshoes (for ages 3+) are available in winter, trail conditions permitting. If snow is insufficient, we will go on a boot walk. Sturdy snow- or hiking boots should be worn in winter regardless.
During the walk, a naturalist will discuss the cultural and ecological history of Rice Creek from its early days as working farmland to today. Additionally, the naturalist will identify and interpret discoveries such as animal sightings, plant blooms, seasonal changes, and more. Participants are encouraged to keep their eyes open for discoveries and ask questions along the way. Photography, journaling, and sketching are all welcome activities during the walk.
Participants should come dressed for the weather and tick prevention. Boots are advisable as trails may be muddy, especially during late fall, winter, and spring. An adult must accompany children under 17 years of age. For questions, please reach out to the Rice Creek staff at [email protected] or 315.312.6677.
Link: for the 12/13/25 walk: https://calendar.oswego.edu/event/naturewalk and for the 12/20/25 walk: https://calendar.oswego.edu/event/birdwatching-for-science-exploreoswego