Summer Birding Series begins at Rogers Center

The Chenango Bird Club will begin its summer evening birdwatching series with a leisurely stroll at Rogers Environmental Education Center on Wednesday, June 8. Meet in the visitor parking lot at Rogers Center at 6:30 pm.

Birds are easy to find during June, the month they are generally most vocal. Rogers Center is a great place to birdwatch because of the diverse habitats, good trail and easy access. Former Rogers Program Director and Chenango Bird Club member, Fred von Mechow will lead the walk. A 17 time participant in the New Jersey Audubon Society World Series of Birding, Fred will point out birds’ visual field marks and songs. We will provide binoculars if you don’t have your own.

All are welcome and program attendees are welcome to stay for refreshments after the walk.

Plan ahead for the next two bird walks in the evening series; July 13 and August 10, both at 6:00 PM.

The Chenango Bird Club presents monthly programs (except January, February, and March). Nature enthusiasts of all levels and interests are invited to all Chenango Bird Club programs, free of charge. Rogers Center is located one mile west of Sherburne Village on State Highway 80. Park in the visitor parking lot next to Rte 80.
Call Club President, Charlene LaFever at 607-334-9112 for more information on Chenango Bird Club activities.

Friends of Rogers (FOR), a not-for-profit group in Sherburne, held its first event annual Earth Fest 2011 on Saturday, May 7 at Rogers Environmental Education Center. The event drew record attendance of 850 visitors who came to learn many ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle and enjoy the out of doors.

Visitors enjoyed more than 35 activities from composting to the stars including games, exhibits, entertainment and more! Topics included butterflies, boating, fishing, renewable energy, bird box and birdbath building, nature art, beekeeping, recycling, music, woodworking, biodiesel, geocaching, bird watching and hiking.

This was FOR’s first public event since the state closed the Rogers Visitor Center on December 31, 2010, and funding for five education staff positions was eliminated. Under an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Friends of Rogers will conduct programs and educational events at the Center. Earth Fest is the first of many upcoming activities to be held at Rogers and sponsored by FOR.

Friends of Rogers (FOR) surveyed visitors to learn what they would like to see happen at Rogers Center in the future and to enlist volunteers to help create it. They would love to hear from you.

Friends of Rogers will host a Birthday Celebration on June 11, 2011 at the Visitors Center to mark the 45th Anniversary of the Rogers Center. As they move forward with plans to operate the Center, the Friends group seeks public input on the future activities at the Center and invites interested parties to join them for “Cake & Conversation” on June 11th. For more details and to register to attend, visit the FOR website at www.friendsofrogers.org

At Earth Fest, Friends of Rogers President , Laurie Trotta, reminded everyone that things are not the same at Rogers.

See the attached statement for details.

Clarification Of Reopening

Friends of Rogers to Operate Rogers Environmental Education Center

Initial Event Scheduled for May 7, 2011

Friends of Rogers (FOR), a not-for-profit group affiliated with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC’s) Rogers Environmental Education Center, has reached an agreement with the DEC to operate the Rogers Center in Sherburne.   Under the agreement, Friends of Rogers will continue to offer educational activities and public programs at the Center.

The state closed the Rogers Visitor Center on December 31, 2010, and funding for five education staff positions was eliminated. “Like all state agencies, we are being required to make hard choices. Laying off these state employees was not something that we wanted to do, but given the tough economic times, it is something we needed to do,” said Acting Director of Communications Michael Bopp.  The property remains open to the public, from dawn to dusk. The state continues to maintain the buildings, plow, and provide security.

Friends of Rogers is expanding its role at the Center in order to continue to offer education programs, community events, and manage some agricultural activities.  The first event by FOR has already been scheduled.  Rogers Earth Fest will be held on May 7, 2011, from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Rogers Center.  Participants who attend will learn about sustainability and how to protect the earth’s precious resources through exhibits on alternative energy, climate change, green building design and green living. There will be hands-on activities, canoe and kayak try-outs, and nature crafts for children. Visitors can take home a tree or shrub for their yard and learn more about local environmental organizations.

DEC recognizes the importance of Rogers Center to the residents of central New York and is grateful that Friends of Rogers has agreed to continue providing as many school and public programs as possible with volunteers and interns.  DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch praised the collaborative effort.  “We appreciate that we have a willing partner like the Friends of Rogers to step up and assist with continuing this valuable environmental education,” he said.

FOR plans to hold traditional annual events at the Center including the aforementioned Earth Fest, Animals of Halloween and the Winter Living Celebration.  Monthly programs for members and the general public are being planned as well.

“We are looking forward to reopening the Rogers Center and invite the community to join us in celebrating our new venture,” said Laurie Trotta, Friends of Rogers President.  “We would like to hear your ideas for programs and events you would like to see at the Center.”  Anyone interested in helping support Friends of Rogers efforts, either through monetary donations, becoming a member or volunteering, should contact them by email at for13460@gmail.com.  To register to receive updates and announcements from FOR, visit www.friendsofrogers.org

Closing Day Rally

See video of Syracuse’s Channel 3′s Brandon Roth at Rogers on closing day

Attachments: PressRelease12-22-2010.pdf