Rice Creek Rambles beckon the public to the field station's 400 acres of mixed terrain for guided walks at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5 and May 10. "Spring Awakenings" on April 5 will give walkers a chance to observe new appearances in the forests, fields and wetlands as seasons change. "Birds, Bugs and Blooms" will await walkers on May 10. Call 312-6677 to check trail conditions on the morning of each hike.

     The ways of wildlife will engage children at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26 and May 31, for Rice Creek Story Hour. "Rainbow Crow" on April 26 will relate the Lenape legend with beautiful illustrations and a lesson of service to others. On May 31, "The Salamander Room" will capture young imaginations while demonstrating what living things need to survive.

     The field station will feature Sharing Science at 11 a.m. on three other Saturdays, April 12, May 3 and May 17. "Composting Fundamentals" will help attendees sort out whether they need a bin, a pile or a tumbler to put such things as kitchen scraps and yard waste to good use in a healthy compost pile. Visitors can hear about Rice Creek's three-bin system and share their own composting tips. On May 3, the family-oriented "Wildlife Games and Activities" will present a fun-filled session featuring hands-on activities from Project Wild and other sources that simulate key natural concepts and stewardship of resources. The May 17 "Rain Gardens" presentation will cover this new edition at Rice Creek and the many functions such gardens serve.

     Since program size is limited, the field station is unable to accommodate groups. An adult needs to accompany children.

     Visitors may tour the new headquarters of Rice Creek -- the 7,200-square-foot, energy-efficient field station -- during building hours, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Trails are open for hiking during daylight hours at Rice Creek Field Station; the entrance is on Thompson Road about a mile south of State Route 104.

     For information, visit www.oswego.edu/ricecreek or call 312-6677.