Story Hour, offered in support of SUNY's partnership with the Read Aloud 15 Minutes national initiative, will open April 11 with "Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places" by Jim Arnosky. Through the author's jovial and knowledgeable guide, elementary-age children will learn about animals' wild ways and how humans relate to them and the surrounding world.

On May 9, Story Hour will feature "Let's Go Hiking," a cooperative trail and tracking board game for ages 10 to adult.

Sustainable Art, free hands-on workshops for those age 7 to adult, will enable participants to create art that encourages thinking about the ecological, social and economic elements of sustainability. No experience is needed, though children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. Since program size is limited, preregistration is required at 315-312-6677, and the field station is not able to accommodate groups.

On April 25 – with an April 15 preregistration deadline -- the theme will be "Celebrating Earth Day Every Day," reusing and recycling household materials to make fun and unique items, instead of tossing them in the recycling bin.

"Nature Critter Creations" on May 30 -- preregister by May 20 -- will feature the use of pods, cones, feathers and dried grasses to invent whimsical and festive creatures.

Family-friendly, naturalist-led Rice Creek Rambles will take place April 18, June 6 and June 20. Those planning to attend are asked to call 315-312-6677 on the morning of each hike to check trail conditions.

Tours of Rice Creek, the college's biological field station amid 400 acres of mixed terrain, will be available during the college's Reunion Weekend, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6.

Rice Creek Field Station visitors are welcome to observe the capture, banding and rerelease of resident and migrating songbirds. The building is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 Mondays to Fridays and most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hiking trails are open during daylight hours. Parking is available adjacent to the main building and near the gate on Thompson Road, about a mile south of State Route 104.

Rice Creek will accept registrations through early June for two summer programs: Exploring Nature for children and Conservation Field Studies for teens. For more information and registration materials, visit oswego.edu/ricecreek/programs.