Cayuga Naturally 2010 Photo Contest
We are holding this contest again this year since 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. For official entry form CLICK HERE or send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: SNC Photo, PO Box 216 Sterling NY, 13156. Entries due by October 7, 2010.
2010 Contest Entry Form

Artists & Art work Wanted
We are looking for artist to display their nature inspired art at the center during the month of June. We are also looking for a few artists to demonstrate their craft during Art Inspiration 2010 Sunday, June 6, 12:00 to 4:30 our Festival of Nature and the Arts. If you or some one you know are interested in helping please contact Jim D'Angelo at 315-947-6143 or snc@co.cayuga.ny.us

Now on Facebook
Bill Irwin has started a Facebook page for the Sterling Nature Center. It includes upcoming events, recent observations and photographs. Check it out and let us know what you think, add your favorate photo or share your most recent nature center adventure with others.

Voices of the Night
Friday, June 18, 7pm
The sounds of the night woods have invoked many feelings in people from calming to terrifying. Join naturalist Jim D'Angelo for a look into the creatures behind the sounds and a hike to experience the voices of the night first hand. The program will consist of an indoor PowerPoint presentation followed by a hike through he evening woods. The program is free and open to the public.

Wetland Life
Saturday, June 19 at 1pm
Come out for a peek at the great blue herons sharing the rookery work with their mates and feeding the fast growing young. Naturalist Jim D'Angelo will led a walk about Great Blue Herons and other wetland life at the Sterling Nature Center. Just how big are heron nests? How many herons are at the rookery? What other wildlife is sharing the rookery with the herons? We will answer these and many other questions about the rookery and great blue heron natural history during this program. A brief indoor discussion will be held first before a trip out to the rookery. This program is free and open to the public.

Bats!!!
Wednesday July 7, 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 tool will allow us to hear their echolocation calls as well.

Pond Life on the Edge
Wednesday July 14, 1pm
Come explore the edge of Dragonfly Pond to see what life can be found. Dragonflies, water scorpions, leopard frogs and tadpoles might be a few of the critters living on the edge.

Tree Identification w/ Don Cox
Saturday July 17, 1pm
In a brief indoor meeting learn the basic leaf characteristics and how these are used in the construction of leaf keys for tree identification. Then, join Don Cox in exploring Sterling Nature Center's trails and learn to identify native trees of Central New York.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
Wednesday July 21, 1pm
When is a bug not a bug and are all insects bugs or all bugs insects??? Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo for an exploration of insect life at the Sterling Nature Center. Widow skimmers, 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, identify and then 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.

Dragonflies - Master's of the Sky
Wednesday July 28, 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 wetlands and meadow to observe and identify these amazing creatures.

Herpetology
Wednesday August 4, 1pm
Snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders of the area will be the topic for exploration. Join Naturalist Jim D'Angelo to discover and learn the truth about their beneficial behavior in their landscape. We will also discuss how you can make your landscape friendly for these unique creatures. The program is ideal for kids with a parent as well as anyone with an interest in herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians.

Come Fly a Kite
Wednesday August 11, 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.

FOSNC 11th Annual Pig Roast
Noon to 4pm Sunday August 15
Join the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center for their 11th annual Pig Roast at the Sterling Nature Center for good food, good music, a good time and of course good Friends. The proceeds of this year's Pig Roast will be used to improve the trails at the nature center.

Owls: Rulers of the Night
Wednesday August 18, 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.

23rd Annual International Coastal Cleanup
Saturday September 25 11am-1pm
Think globally and act locally in 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 26.

Fall Flowers w/ Don Cox
Saturday September 25, 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.

Poetry Coffeehouse
Sunday, October 3 at 4 pm
The fall poetry reading will feature an "Open Mike Afternoon" at the Sterling Nature Center. Bring your own poems or short prose piece to read, or else bring a copy of your current favorite poem and we'll share and discuss. Refreshments will be available as usual. The program is free and open to the public. For more information contact the center at 947-6143; Charlie Itzin 315-947-5522; or Jim Pangborn, 315-564-6643

Cayuga Naturally 2010 Photo Contest
Entries due by October 7, 2010
All photos must be taken within Cayuga County and be of a nature related subjects. For official entry form send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: SNC Photo, PO Box 216 Sterling NY, 13156 or download one at http://cayuganet.org/sterlingpark/. All entries are due at the nature center or postmarked by October 7, 2010.

Apple Pressing
Saturday October 16, 10am - 1pm
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. A special THANK YOU to Ontario Orchards for supplying the apples for pressing and tasting.

Cayuga Naturally Photo Contest Winners Unveiled
Saturday October 16, 1pm
The winning entries of the Cayuga Naturally Photograph contest will be unveiled today with a presentation of awards and prizes taking place at 1pm following the Apple Pressing program, fresh cider for tasting!!!

Wetland Wildlife
Saturday November 6, 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.

Poetry Coffeehouse
Sunday November 14, 4 pm
The Sterling Nature Center's Sunday Coffee House is hosting its fall poetry reading. The afternoon will include readings by regional poets, an open reading, refreshments and poetic pastries. The program is free and open to the public. For more information contact the center at 947-6143; Charlie Itzin 315-947-5522; or Jim Pangborn, 315-564-6643.

Natural Holiday Ornaments
Saturday December 29, 1pm
Join Connie Cosmento and create a small "kissing" ball made from natural materials. All ages are welcome to create their own natural treasures for the holiday season. Please pre-register by December 1 to ensure we have enough materials for all.

Winter Birds and Bird Feeders
Wednesday, December 29, 1pm
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.

* 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