With days shortening and weather starting to chill, now is the time to view the stars above the Indian Creek Nature Center! Join Ben Roulston, an astronomer from Clarkson's Reynolds Observatory for a short walk to the observation tower at Indian Creek and an evening of viewing the moon, stars, nebulae, and more! In order to ensure proper viewing conditions, this event is slotted to take place on one night between October 3rd (Friday) and October 9th (Thursday). The decision on which day the event will occur will be made the day of.

We will meet at 8:00AM in the parking lot at the main entrance. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for potentially muddy trails by wearing good walking shoes and prepared for mosquitoes with repellant. We expect to find fall songbird, raptor, and waterfowl migrants passing through on their way to wintering in the southern US and Latin America, as well as resident species that are found at Indian Creek year-round. Bring binoculars, or we have a few to loan for the walk. If you plan to attend, email: eiwheeler@yahoo.com.

Don't miss this chance to experience a talk from Indian Creek's newest board member, Joe Longshore, on bird language!

For twenty years, Joe has taught wilderness survival, nature awareness and bird language locally and in classes as far away as California. He was first introduced to bird language over 25 years ago while studying with world-renowned naturalist Tom Brown Jr.

Joe's talk will be located under the pavilion at the Center on Saturday, September 20th at 10:00am, rain or shine. We hope to see you there!

Dragonflies and damselflies are aerial acrobats that can be found in and around many aquatic habitats. We will check out the ponds and various trails and fields of the Indian Creek Nature Center. All ages and levels are welcome! Some nets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own equipment. Insect repellent is recommended. Leader: Jan Trybula, ICNC Board member

Learn how drones can be used to detect and monitor plants and animals in the air and underwater. This event will take place at the Upper and Lower Lakes, Grasse River Fishing Access on Rt. 68 between, just outside of Canton.

Join Board members and volunteers for a workday to clean up from winter and prepare for the season ahead. Please come help with trail maintenance and other projects. All levels of experience welcome! Gloves and boots recommended. Tools provided.

Come and join Dr. Susan Willson, bird ecologist and SLU Assoc. Professor, and Eileen Wheeler, birder and ICNC Board member to celebrate the return of numerous species of migrant birds to the North Country. We’ll look for migrant birds (and residents) in forest and wetland habitat, as well as from the observatory deck. Binoculars are available to borrow. Be prepared for bugs and perhaps a little mud!

Midwinter is a great time to look for the hardy winter birds, look for mammal tracks, and see signs of how life persists in the coldest and shortest days of the year. As we snowshoe the trails of ICNC, you are sure to learn about some of the ways plants and animals survive the midwinter. Bring snowshoes if you have them (there will be some to borrow) and binoculars, and dress appropriately.

Leader: Tom Langen, Biology Department at Clarkson University

Join Tom Vanderwater for a short hike about snow!

Meet at the Indian Creek Nature Center for a snowshoe or walk to study snow and ice. If conditions allow, we’ll take an ice core and investigate snow layers and the recent past as revealed in the layers. Bring a hand lens and your favorite snow poem!

We will walk along the wildflower trail and discuss ecological roles of various fungi as we explore the forest habitat. We will look for different features of the fungi we find that can help us to distinguish one species from another. Meet at the ICNC East Entrance for the Wildflower Loop Trail. Leader: Claire Burkum, Biology Dept at St. Lawrence University