Please note: these Community Events are not run by Wild Ones HGCNY
October 25, 2025
On the Canals Morning Bird Walk 10.25 – Onondaga Lake
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025
Where: Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, 280 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY 13209
Description: Montezuma Audubon Center educators will lead leisurely 1-mile hikes on the accessible Empire State Trail in Syracuse, Port Byron, Clyde and Rochester to explore the many birds and other wildlife that live in these under-represented communities. The excursions will rotate through each of these communities and participants will experience migratory waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey as they rest and feed in preparation for the winter months. Binoculars, bird guides and bird songs (via Audubon App) will be provided. The excursions will take place on flat, paved/stone dust trails and people of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome. These are free, family-friendly adventures funded by the New York State Canal Corporation.
This program will begin at the West Shore Trail. Please meet at the NYSDEC’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center Parking lot.
Register at https://act.audubon.org/a/on_the_canals_westshoretrail_am
October 25, 2025
On the Canals Afternoon Bird Walk 10.25 – Onondaga Lake
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025
Where: Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, 280 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY 13209
Description: Montezuma Audubon Center educators will lead leisurely 1-mile hikes on the accessible Empire State Trail in Syracuse, Port Byron, Clyde and Rochester to explore the many birds and other wildlife that live in these under-represented communities. The excursions will rotate through each of these communities and participants will experience migratory waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey as they rest and feed in preparation for the winter months. Binoculars, bird guides and bird songs (via Audubon App) will be provided. The excursions will take place on flat, paved/stone dust trails and people of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome. These are free, family-friendly adventures funded by the New York State Canal Corporation.
This program will begin at the West Shore Trail. Please meet at the NYSDEC’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center Parking lot.
Register at https://act.audubon.org/a/on_the_canals_westshoretrail_pm
October 25, 2025
Guided Nature Walk: Entangled Lives – Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, October 18 or 25, 2025
Where: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 US-20 Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Description: To be alive is to be in relationship-entangled with the things that make our lives possible-sun, moon, air, water, plants, animals, insects, bacteria, fungi, etc. As we come to understand the nature of these relationships, we can grow in appreciation of our dependence on both the living and nonliving components of our environment.
Come join an interpretive walk at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge to explore the nature of these relationships. alone the way, we will observe the life we encounter while also examining some of the fascinating connections between all living things.
Binoculars and sunscreen are advised. All ages are welcome! No pets, please.
Meet your guide, Pete Saracino, NY State Master Naturalist Volunteer, at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Sunroom.
Link: https://friendsofmontezuma.org/series/guided-nature-walk-entangled-lives/
October 25, 2025
All About Waterfowl: Guided Bird Walk – The Great Swamp Conservancy
When: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025
Where: The Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N Main St, Canastota, NY 13032
Description: Join Matthew Young, President and Founder of the Finch Research Network and co-author of The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada, in a guided walk centered around waterfowl that visit both the GSC and the Erie Canal.
The GSC is located within the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor and features many of the same bird species that can be seen on the Erie Canal due to the abundance of wetlands.
Bring your own binoculars or borrow some from the GSC!
Wear rain/muck boots!
Free for the public! Registration is preferred but not necessary!
Link: https://www.greatswampconservancy.org/events-1/2025/10/25/all-about-waterfowl-guided-bird-walk
October 25, 2025
Guided Nature Walk at Rice Creek Field Station
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 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.
October 28, 2025
Native Plant Gardening: 4 Master Gardeners, 4 Approaches
When: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Where: Hybrid: in-person at CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850-3555 or over Zoom
Description: Hear presentations from four Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) about how each went about growing native plants in their gardens, their successes, and lessons learned. The talks will range from a small yard to a countryside wild area with different types and sizes of spaces in between.
This class is hybrid, you may attend in-person or over zoom. The program will be recorded and sent to all who register afterwards.
Emily Groff is a MGV living in Downtown Ithaca with particular interests in small-space gardening, native plants, and English and Japanese gardening styles. Diane lives and works in Commonlands, besides her own vegetable garden, she has put in pollinator gardens with natives for her community and worked to remove invasive plants and plant natives in the surrounding woodlands. Mary Royer is a MGV of 10 years whose interest in evolution has expanded to a passion for native plants and understanding of their role in our ecology. Carol is a long-time MGV with eclectic gardening interests including native plants stems which from a concern over the insect crisis and their intimate and vital relationship to all other living things.
Fee: This program is valued at $20, however, please pay what you are able. Paying more than $20 will help others attend the class.
Register at https://ccetompkins.wufoo.com/forms/za9ql120ey7be8/
Link: https://ccetompkins.org/events/2025/10/28/native-plant-gardening-4-master-gardeners-4-approaches