Earth Day

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 to draw attention to the plight of our planet, specifically focusing on air and water pollution. Decades later, we celebrate successes (Clean Air Act of 1970, Clean Water Act of 1972, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, the rise of alternative energy sources, the creation of wildlife sanctuaries both on land and in our oceans), but we also recognize there is still work to do.

Join us at Rogers Center for a day of celebration and education. Learn about the nature of Central New York, how you can participate in community science to make a difference, and what initiatives are being promoted in our community to help lighten our carbon footprint and restore our local ecosystems.

On the Docket for 2024

  • Reptiles & Amphibians - Prof. Eric Diefenbacher (SUNY Morrisville)

  • Birds & Birding for All - Chenango Bird Club

  • The Wonderful World of Insects & Spiders - Tannar Cliffe (2023 Friends of Rogers Intern) & Jasper Pincman (SUNY ESF)

  • Aquatic Invertebrate ID - Kim LaCoe, DEC

  • Saving Native Bees - Matt McGeary, our 2023 B-Team coordinator

  • Tracks & Scats - Mammal ID - Marsha Guzewich

  • Native Plants & Their Uses - Jessica Farmer, Oneida Nation

  • Wild Ginger Farm - native plant nursery from West Winfield will be here selling plants for your gardens

  • Free Trees & Shrubs - we are giving away native trees and shrubs for you to add to your landscape

  • Benefits of Geothermal Heating at Your Home - NP Environmental of Waterville, NY

  • Heat Pumps and You - Sherburne Electric

  • Invasive Plants of CNY - Finger Lakes PRISM

  • Let’s Talk about Renewable Energy - Dr. Jenny Frank (SUNY Morrisville’s Renewable Energy Program)

  • Hike Chenango County - Chenango County Planning Department, Department of Health and Environmental Management Council

  • Artist in Residence Show - Eddie Caputo

This year our theme is “Getting to Know Our Wild Neighbors.” We are bringing in experts and enthusiasts to share their best identification and observation tips for learning about our native plants and wildlife. We’ll have a herpetologist on hand teaching about our reptiles and amphibians, the Chenango Bird Club giving tips for novice and experienced birders (and helping folks learn how to use binoculars), folks from the Oneida Nation sharing native plant knowledge, and more.

The secondary theme for our event is “How to Live a Greener Life in CNY.” We are bringing in experts in renewable energy, home heating/cooling systems, and invasive plant management to answer your questions about how to make your home and property more environmentally friendly.

If you have made it a goal to learn about the nature in your back yard, or how to make your home a little bit greener, then stop on by!

Saturday, April 20, 2024

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM