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.

Signs of Spring Walk
Saturday April 5 at 1pm
Do you have Spring Fever? Or are you having trouble believing that spring has actually arrived? Join Interpretive Naturalist Jim D’Angelo for an early spring hike in search of signs of spring. We will search for the winter blooms in the gardens as well as the first wildflowers of spring. It is also time to meet and greet some of the migratory birds including a check on the great blue heron rookery. The herons should be continuing their courtship and starting to nest. Are the osprey back nesting, come out and see!!

Life in a Forest Puddle
Saturday April 12 at 1pm
Join Interpretive Naturalist Jim D’Angelo for a look into the vernal pools of the Sterling Nature Center. Vernal pools are small wetlands that temporarily fill with water providing essential habitat for frogs, salamanders, turtles and even a few snakes!!! We will explore these unique wetlands looking for spotted salamanders, fairy shrimp, tadpoles and other wildlife that utilize them. A short slideshow presentation will be conducted before the hands-on outdoor nature study of the vernal pools. Please dress for the weather and wear boots if you would like to wade into the wetland. This program is free and open to the public.

A Child’s View of Life in a Forest Puddle
Wednesday April 16 at 1pm
Join Naturalist Jim D’Angelo and his daughter for a Child’s View of the vernal pools at the Sterling Nature Center. Vernal pools are small wetlands that temporarily fill with water providing essential habitat for frogs, salamanders, turtles and even a few snakes!!! We will do some hands on exploring of these unique wetlands looking for spotted salamanders, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, insects and other wildlife that utilize them. A short slideshow presentation will be conducted before the outdoor nature study of the vernal pools. Please dress for the weather and wear boots, as we will be going out wading into this unique wetland. The program is free and open to the public.

CITO – Spring Cleaning at SNC II
Saturday April 19 10 to Noon
Geocachers unite to clean up our playing field. Last year 25 people removed over forty bags of trash from McIntyre Rd as well as many items that could not fit into the bag. For more information and to sign-up go to geocaching.com or contact the SNC office at 315-947-6143 or snc@co.cayuga.ny.us. There may be a geo-coin and other unique rewards for geocahers as well as food and drink after the work is done. Non-geocachers are welcome to help as well, please pre-register by contacting the office at 315-947-6143 or snc@co.cayuga.ny.us

Geocaching is using a GPS unit to find hidden items. CITO stands for Cache-In-Trash-Out, which is to encourage geocashers to pick up litter as they seek the hidden treasure. There are nine geocaches hidden at the nature center.

All About Bluebirds
April 26, 1pm
Nationally known Bluebird expert, John Rogers will give a fascinating presentation on the life history of the Eastern Bluebird, nest box management, and more. The presentation is free and open to the public. A build-your-own nest box workshop will follow the indoor presentation. The cost for the workshop is $6 per box, please bring your own hammer if you have one. Pre-registration is required for the workshop by contacting the office at 315-947-6143 or snc@co.cayuga.ny.us.

Mother Nature’s Spring Beauties!!!
Saturday May 3 at 1pm.
Don't miss your chance to see the many early spring wildflowers of the Sterling Nature Center. Many flowers like colt’s foot fade away quickly while, others like white trillium bloom longer. Join us for a Naturalist guided walk along the trails of the nature center. Pioneer and Native American uses, natural history, and identification of our spring woodland wildflowers will be the topic of discussion. The program is free and open to the public, but donations are accepted and greatly appreciated.

Annual Appreciation Dinner
Monday May 5 at 6pm doors open at 5pm
We would like to invite you to the Annual Friends of Sterling Nature Center’s Appreciation Dinner. There will be a brief meeting following the dinner. A meat dish, most likely turkey, will be provided. Please bring your own table service and a dish to pass. The dinner is to show our appreciation to the Friends members, visitors and volunteers for all they do for the nature center. Hope to see you there!

* Please Note: You may need to download and install Adobe Reader to view ".pdf" files found in many sections of this web site. Download it here (free).

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