Cayuga Naturally 2008 Photo Contest
The contest is under way so don't forget to snap a few photos of winters wonders!!! Cayuga County is a diverse and wonderful place filled with nature’s best from the shore of Lake Ontario to the heart of the Finger Lakes. Capture your favorite place for hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting or other outdoor activity as well as the beauty of the streams, lakes, trees, wildflowers, birds, animals and other aspects of nature. All photos must be taken within Cayuga County and be of nature related subjects. You can download and print the Official Entry Form (*Adobe PDF File) or send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: SNC Photo, PO Box 216 Sterling NY, 13156.

Going Batty
Wednesday July 16, 8pm
Bats do many incredible tasks in their ecosystems from eating thousands of insects to pollinating flowers and dispersing seed. Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for a fascinating look into the lives of bats. We will discover the truths surrounding many common myths, discuss their conservation needs and take a short walk to watch bats feeding on insects over the fields. A special bat detector instrument will allow us to hear their echolocation calls as well. An in school version of this program is also available. The program is free and open to the public.

Dragonflies - Master's of the Sky
Wednesday July 23, 1pm
Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for an indoor presentation and discussion on dragonflies followed by a hunt for these insect master's of the sky. We will take a hike to several of the wetlands and meadow to observe and identify these amazing creatures. This program is free and open to the public.

Ferns of the Forest
Saturday July 26, 1pm
Ferns are specialized to live in the shade of the forest, their intricate foliage adding unique texture to the woodland landscape. Take a walk along the cool forested trails of the Sterling Nature Center to learn tip, techniques and maybe a few tricks to identifying these wonderful plants. This program is free and open to the public.

Herpetology
Wednesday July 30, 1pm
Snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders will be the topic for exploration. Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo and help search for these sometimes creepy-critters and learn the truth about their beneficial behavior in our ecosystem. The program is ideal for kids with a parent as well as anyone with an interest in herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. The program is free and open to the public.

Come Fly a Kite
Wednesday August 6, 1pm
Kite flying is an enjoyable activity for all ages and was even used by Benjamin Franklin as part of a science experiment. So come and test the breeze off Lake Ontario as well as your skill at kite flying. Bring your own, use one of ours or make a simple and easy to fly kite to take home with you

Nature Night
Friday August 8, 6-9pm
Come out and celebrate the Perseids Meteor Shower!!! Talk a hike, watch the sunset, have a picnic, or view the exhibits inside the interpretive building before one of the years most watched meteor showers. The interpretive building will be open this evening from 6pm to 9pm.

Perseids Meteor Shower
Friday August 8, 9pm
Come out away from the lights and enjoy some of nature's fireworks with Bill Irwin and other members of Stars Over Sterling, (our amateur astronomy group), to watch and enjoy one of the best meteor showers of the year. Keep in mind that clouds or other conditions may obstruct viewing of the night sky. Please bring a lawn chair or something else to sit on. The program is free and open to the public. The interpretive building will also be open this evening from 6pm to 9pm.

Meet a Tree
Aug 13, 1pm
Join Connie Cosmento to learn more about the trees of the woodlands around you. Choose a tree at the Sterling Nature Center then get close and personal. Measure the girth, the height and the crown. Classify your tree, make a bark rubbing, dry a leaf and take your entire tree story home with you. Tips on how to care for trees will also be discussed. Materials provided.

FOSNC 10th Annual Pig Roast
Noon to 4pm Sunday August 17
Join the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center for their 10th annual Pig Roast at the Sterling Nature Center for good food, good music, a good time and of course good Friends.

Bugs, Bugs and more Bugs
Wednesday August 20, 1pm
When is a bug not a bug and are all insect bug or all bugs insects??? Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for an exploration of insect life at the Sterling Nature Center. Widow skimmer, monarchs and tiger beetles may be a few of the insects that we find and observe. We will also use sweep nets and other methods to collect, observe and identify and set free insects of field and forest. The program is ideal for kids with a parent as well as anyone with an interest in insects. The program is free and open to the public.

Owls: Rulers of the Night
Wednesday August 27, 8pm
We end our summer Wednesday Wildlife series with the popular and fascinating summer owl prowl. Discover how owls rule the night by exploring their adaptations, hunting skills, where they roost and how to find them. We will then take a stroll through the night in search of the interesting and elusive predators.

Flowers of Field and Forest w/ Don Cox
Saturday September 6, 1pm
After a brief indoor slide presentation, join Don Cox to explore the fields and woods at Sterling Nature Center in a guided trail walk to identify wildflowers. Learn to identify poisonous, edible, and mood altering plants common in Central New York. The program is free and open to the public open to the public.

Nature Night
Friday September 12, 6-8pm
By the light of the Moon Walk 8pm
Talk a hike, watch the sunset or moonrise, have a picnic, or view the exhibits inside the interpretive building during our end of summer Nature Night. The interpretive building will be open this evening from 6pm to 8pm. At 8pm there will be a naturalist guide walk to observe the wetlands, woodlands and fields by the light of the Moon. Whooo knows what we might see or hear along the way, beaver, owl, deer or other creatures of the night.

Annual International Coastal Cleanup
Saturday September 13, 11am-1pm
Here is your chance to think globally and act locally in the support of our environment!!! Join the Sterling Nature Center in cleaning up the lakeshore, streams and wetlands along Lake Ontario. If you can not make it to the Sterling Nature Center then visit the American Littoral Society's website, www.alsnyc.org, or call 1-800-449-0790 to find other beach cleanups throughout the state. Annually, over 7,000 volunteers clean and documented about a quarter million pounds of debris across NYS. At SNC we collect over 200 pounds of litter along our 2 miles of shoreline with the help of volunteers like you Refreshments will be provided after the work is done. Rain Date Sunday Sept 14.

Fall Jamboree
September 20 & 21
Visit the Friends of Sterling Nature Center's food both at Ontario Orchard's Jamboree to show your support of the nature center. All proceeds from the food both are re-invested into the programs and facilities of the Sterling Nature Center.

Apple Pressing
October 11
Join us in creating apple cider the old fashion way with a people powered fruit press. Help, wash, grind, press, pasteurize and best of all taste fresh apple cider. While going through the process we will discuss the history of apples, apple product, the apple growing industry and the many different varieties of apples. Back by popular demand - take a taste test of over a dozen different varieties of apples grown by local orchards and place your vote for your favorite. New this year an - Apple Cook Off - bring in your favorite apple dish to be tasted and judged. Prizes will be awarded to the top vote getters, for details and contest requirements send a SSAE to SNC PO Box 216 Sterling NY 13156. A special THANK YOU goes to Ontario Orchards of Oswego for supplying the apples for pressing.

Photo Contest Awards Reception
Saturday October 18 1-3pm
An informal reception will be held to reveal and honor the 2008 Cayuga Naturally Photo Contest winners. There will also be a presentation of awards and prizes taking place at 2pm.

Nature Night
Stories in the Night
Friday October 24 at 6-8pm
Talk a hike, watch the sunset or moonrise, have a picnic, or view the exhibits inside the interpretive building during our spooky Nature Night. The interpretive building will be open this evening from 6pm to 8pm. At 8pm there will be a Spooky Stories in the Night program.

Stories in the Night
Friday October 24 at 8pm
A reading of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow will take place by lantern light at the nature center. The reading will be accompanied by other spooky stories that are appropriate for children and adults. Please bring a battery operated lantern or flashlight to help set the mood. Refreshments will be available; the program is free and open to the public. The interpretive building will open

Autumn Wetland Wildlife
Saturday November 8, 1pm
How many heron nests are in the rookery? What is using the wetland now that most of the herons have left? Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for a nice fall hike out to the rookery and a look at the autumn wetland with the leaves off the trees we can get a better look at the entire wetland. Who is using it now that the herons have headed south, are the osprey and eagles of summer still there or the migrating wood ducks and other waterfowl? Come out and discover what fascinating things are taking place at the rookery wetland this autumn.

Winter Weeds
Saturday November 22, 1pm
Join Botanist Shirley Peron for a fascinating look at the Winter Weeds of field and forest. An outdoor hike to look for the different weeds of winter will follow an indoor presentation.

Natural Holiday Ornaments
Saturday December 13, 1pm
Join Connie Cosmento and create natural holiday ornaments from pinecones and other natural items. Use pods, cones and weeds to bring a natural beauty to your holiday decor. All ages are welcome to create their own natural treasures for the holiday season. Please pre-register by December 6 to ensure we have enough materials for all. The program is free and open to the public.

December 27
Winter Birds and Bird Feeders
School Break Program
One of the most popular winter wildlife activities in the US is watching and feeding birds at a feeding station. This program will help you identify the birds at your feeder and show you ways to create simple feeders. Participants will create a peanut butter and seed feeder to take home with them. The Program is free and open to the public.

Friends of Sterling Nature Center's
Pork Roast
At the Sterling Nature Center
Sunday, August 17, 2008
12:00 noon 'til 4:00 pm
Menu: Roast Pork, salt potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce, rolls, beverage and dessert!!!
Musical entertainment by The Misty Isles

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For further information, questions, or reservations please call the Nature Center at 315-947-6143 or email snc@co.cayuga.ny.us

The Friends of The Sterling Nature Center
PO Box 216
Sterling, New York 13156
(315) 947-6143