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On June 4, 2011, American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day will bring together outdoor enthusiasts across the country for the 19th annual celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. Two thousand events will take place around the country including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations and more!  

Our earth is made up of natural ingredients like rivers, mountains, lakes, deserts, and plains and National Trails Day is a time to get outside and celebrate those natural surroundings. The theme for National Trails Day 2011, Made With All Natural Ingredients, encourages all Americans to get outside, connect with local outdoor clubs, businesses, community groups, and parks and recreation departments as well as federal land managing agencies to experience, appreciate and celebrate the natural places where we can find a spread of scenery, a plateful of peace, and a heap of happiness and health. "Dedicated volunteers, outdoor enthusiasts, trail lovers, and those new to the outdoors are truly the key ingredients to National Trails Day. Naturally, it’s a time to give back to trails and pay it forward by introducing someone new to the outdoors,” said Gregory Miller, American Hiking Society president.

Since 1993, National Trails Day has inspired thousands of individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors. Plan now to host or attend an event in your area. If you want to get happy, healthy, active, fit, and have some fun, National Trails Day is your recipe to success. The only ingredient missing is YOU.

Join the Great Swamp Conservancy on June 4th in celebrating National Trails Day from 9-4.  Come make a walking stick, build/view fairy houses along the trails, guided or self-guided trail walks, bird watching, and wildlife photography.  See your local library for coloring contest entries.  Receive an American Hiking Society sticker and tattoo for participating in this event.  Overnight camping available, weather permitting.  The Great Swamp Conservancy is located at 8375 North Main Street in Canastota, on the corner of Pine Ridge Road. 

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International Migratory Bird Day 2011 takes place May 7th and May 8th at the Great Swamp Conservancy of Canastota.  The theme for celebrating IMBD is Go Wild, Go Birding, which goes right along with the Spring Migration Nature Art, Craft and Children's Festival.  This focuses on the need to  inspire more people to take that first step of making time to enjoy birds in nature.  We are working to expand the circle of birders, to motivate today's enthusiasts to become mentors to tomorrow's conservationists and to offer birdwatching experiences for new participants, young and old.  IMBD collaborates with over 450 organizations throughout the Western Hemisphere to get people outdoors, learning about birds, and taking action to protect them.

The GSC has a morning birdwalk at 8 am each day of the Festival.  Park across the road from the nature complex and meet in the main office building.  Also a wagon ride every hour on the hour to a 60 wetland to observe a Great Blue Heron Rookery, Ospey, waterfowl and an array of other nesting songbirds leading to the wetland.  "Talons" Birds of Prey show will educate and astound all in attendance with the free flight falconry performance.  Saturday shows are noon and 2:00 pm and Sunday shows are noon and 3:00 pm. There are many activities for all ages to connect people to nature. The 14 professional artists are displaying wonderful nature/wildlife works of art. Suggested donation to benefit the GSC's mission is:adults $3 and $1 for children under age 12.

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Witness the wonder at The Great Swamp Conservancy, Inc. in Canastota, hosting its 13th Annual Spring Migration Nature Art, Craft and Children's Festival on May 7th & 8th. Please join us in celebration of nature with the rebirth of spring and the return of thousands of migratory birds to Central N.Y..  This annual festival will feature nature artists and crafters.  Some of the mediums represented are watercolors, oils, acrylic, pottery, scanography, woodworking, jewelry, and photography with a wildlife theme.
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Cabin Fever??? Come out of hibernation Saturday, Feb. 26th, from 12-4pm to the Great Swamp Conservancy Winter Hibernation Festival for some winter fun.  There is a special feature to the beginnning of the festival from 11am til noon, one can explore the Great Blue Heron rookery by skiing or snowshoeing in with a GSC guide.

Families or individuals can x-county ski or snowshoe our trails. Bring your own equipment or rent ours for a small donation of $2/adult and $1/child 12 and under.  Enter a snow sculpture or snowman building contest (bring your own props and food coloring-no spray paints please), slide through a 20' snow tube, toast marshmallows over a bonfire, compete in team sled races, ride on snow tubes, join in on the tug-o-war, climb into Boy Scout Troop 43 survival igloos and learn about winter survival techniques,live Siberian Huskies will be visiting at 1pm-find out why this animal loves the snow, stop at the GSC White Tail Deer Educational Station and see life size props with Morrisville College students teaching about its habitat, and behavior.  The college club is the Morrisville Conservation Tri-Society.  Each of the members are a part of one of the 3 main professional organizations thatt deal with natural resources conservation: the Society of American Foresters, The Wildlife Society, or the American Fisheries Society.  The clubs main focus is professional development and educational experiences.  Enter the snowflake making contest and make n take a nature craft, and find out who hibernates. Enjoy the food.  All proceeds are to benefit the Great Swamp Conservancy.  For info cal 697-2950 or email:gscincny@central.twcbc.com
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The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA). 
“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2011 and very much looking forward to honoring the 22nd class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.
The 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 9-12th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 12th to welcome the newest members.  For information on hotels and B&B's in the Canastota area visit Madison County Tourism. 
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root and welterweight and middleweight Dave Shade in the Old-Timer Category; promoter A.F. Bettinson in the Non Participant Category; broadcaster Harry Carpenter in the Observer Category; and John Gully in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.
For more information on the events planned for the 2011 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
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December 4th and 5th the Great Swamp Conservancy of Canastota will be holding their annual Christmas Tree Sale from 10-4pm each day.  White Spruce will be offered for a suggested donation of $25 each.  Bluebird boxes, wood duck boxes, and other Christmas gift items are also available.  This is a fundraiser to benefit the GSC.  You may preorder your tree by calling or email information below.  Stop in for a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies!!
A children's "Natural Christmas Ornament Workshop" will be held Dec. 4th for ages 5-13 at the Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main St. Rd., Canastota from 10:30-12:30. Children will make 4 unique ornaments with the help of natural and recycled material as gifts for the birds and family.  Registration is required with a suggested donation of $8/child. Call to register by Dec. 2nd at 697-2950 or email:gscincny@centralny.twcbc.com.  Limit of 15 children for this workshop.

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Swamp Snappers Club presents First Photography Show

The Great Swamp Photography Club; "the Swamp Snappers", invite members and the public to the club's First Photography Show at the Canastota Public Library. The Lawson Room is the setting for the display of nature's beauty for the month of November. Most of the photos are taken locally, many from the GSC, but a few from a far. Enjoy the brilliant colors, unique settings, and the captured thrill by camera. Most works of art may be purchased which make wonder gifts. Beginners to professionals are welcome to join.

Just a reminder:

Annual Christmas Tree Sale December 4th and 5th

GSC next fund raising event is our Christmas Tree Sale December 4th and 5th, from 10am to 4pm. Plan on getting your fresh cut Christmas Tree at the GSC this year. You may pre-order your tree to ensure supply.

Also December 4th the Great Swamp Conservancy is hosting a Natural Christmas ornament for children ages 6-12. This workshop will be held from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Make 3 unique decorations inspired by nature. These projects make great gifts. Register by December 1st, $8 per child, limit of 15 children. Register by calling the GSC at 697-2950 or email us at gscincny@centralny.twcbc.com.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Don't forget our trails will be open for Cross Country Skiing, snowshoeing, after a good hard snowfall. X country ski's can be rented for a suggested donation of $3 per day, per person. Adult and children sizes available, gently used ski's and boots. If you're a first time skier wear heavy winter socks and ask a  GSC volunteer to give a ski lesson. Call for reservations for rentals, or bring your own ski's and snowshoes for no charge to use the trail systems. GSC features 4 miles of scenic trails.

Calling all used X Country ski's, boots, and snowshoes that are collecting dust in your garage, attic or cellar; the GSC would appreciate this equipment before throwing them away. Please consider donating to the GSC.

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The Canastota Canal Town Corporation located at 110 Canal St. Canastota, NY, is very excited about the latest addition of a Watson Wagon to the extensive collection of items already displayed.  Watson Wagons were manufactured in Canastota in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.  The wagon purchased from a private party in Meadville, PA, is temporarily stored at Kime¹s Do It Best Hardware and has generated quite a lot of interest from customers as they visit the store.

Please help the community celebrate this magnificent addition by joining us on Halloween Sunday, Oct. 31st for coffee, cider and donuts from 1:00-3:00 PM at 500 South Main St. in Canastota.  There will be opportunities to ask questions and to take pictures with children on or near the wagon with its team of mules.  Also, if children of any age under 100 would like, they can bring their own wagon for others to observe.
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Project Wet" is coming to the Great Swamp Conservancy of Canastota, October 2nd, Saturday from 10am-2pm.  Project Wet is a Department of Environmental Conservation program by "educators for educators'.  Youth/organizational leaders, teachers, home schooler parents, college students, and grassroots educators are invited to this 4 hour certification course.   It serves not only veteran instructors seeking new ideas to infuse into their curricula but also new arrivals to the field of water education. DEC Official Kevin Bliss will be the Project Wet instructor.  Project Wet Curriculum & Activity Guide for ages K-12 grade will be provided. This Guide will give educators a large selection of creative teaching strategies which are meaningful and relevant to young people, lessons that have diverse learning styles with activities that are not only practical but also thought-provoking and engaging, addresses water from the widest possible anlge with Project Wet modules and existing regional water education programs bringing local issues into sharper focus, and promote the tenet of "water for all water users". 
Water takes away, but also leaves behind; it depletes, but also restores.  Water changes form, and yet its molecular structure remains the same.  Every organism is composed mainly of water, a universal solvent, water carries nourishment to plant and animal cells and removes wastes.  Education provides one of the best approaches to ensuring responsible behavior toward water. If you are interested in learning or teaching about our amazing water resources call  697-2950 or email the GSC at gscincny@centralny.twcbc.com to register.  Limit of 25 per class.  A suggested donation of $5 will provide: Project Wet Guide, certificate of participation and a light lunch.  Join us in water: a gift of nature!!!!

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Wolf Oak Acres Corn Maze
Oftentimes I get asked "Just what is Agritourism?"  Well if I could bottle this upcoming weekend and hand it over to the inquisitive soul, they would have the perfect answer.  The best part about early fall in Central New York is the abundance of the harvest. This weekend we are all about it and I have some great ideas for you and your family to enjoy.  Don't forget to check out all of our events on our webpage.
1. Celebrate all things hops this weekend at the 15th annual Madison County Hop Fest.  From hop mustard, to great craft brews made with local hops, you will enjoy this educational, culinary, beer tasting event in Oneida.  Grounds open at 11, food and beer pairings are at noon, beer tasting begins at 2:30.
2. Have you ever wanted to see how honey is extracted from the bee hive?  Well this fall is your chance.  Tomorrow Johnston's Honeybee Farm will be open to the public for the annual extraction event. The honey house utilizes a gravity flow system that allows bottling of raw honey without the use of pumps. Located at 3653 State Route 26, half way between Eaton and West Eaton, the driveway is due north of the intersection of Bradley Brook Road and Route 26. Honey and candles will be available for sale; there is no charge for the demonstrations.
3. It is the annual Fall Migration Festival at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota.  It's Madison County's only nature center and they will be celebrating fall this weekend with an antique show and Kids Konservation Days. 10am-4pm.  There will be environmental displays, food, music, and outdoor fun to highlight the day. $2/adults $1 children..
4. Critz Farms is open for the season.  Come and see the Harvest Moon Cider Press in action.  Taste fresh cider, shop at the Balsam Barn Gift Shop and explore the Firetruck Corn Maze.  You will find pumpkins galore as it is one of the biggest crops in a long time!  They are honoring firefighters this weekend with free admission.
5. Wolf Oak Acres is open for the season.  This year their corn maze features hot air balloons.  This week is their Live to Learn Teacher Appreciation weekend.  If you are a teacher and you received a post card from Wolf Oak Acres your admission is free.
6. Farmer's Markets-- Of course the farmer's markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton are overflowing with a huge selection of fruits and vegetables grown locally by local farmers.  Get out and enjoy the bounty!
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