Cooperstown Winter Carnival
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-08 | Cooperstown, NY
The 58th annual Cooperstown Winter Carnival features a variety of indoor and outdoor activities open to all. Past carnivals have included sledding, geochacing, winter hikes, and more ways to enjoy winter. You can also take part in the Bob Smullens 5K or 10K.
See website for full schedule. www.cooperstownwintercarnival.com

Bob Smullens 5K/10K
2026-02-07 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Cooper Park/National Baseball Hall of Fame, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown,, NY, 13326, United States
The Smullens 10k/5k is one of, if not the oldest races in our area. The race will return to being an out and back race for this 53rd Anniversary Event.
Day of registration will begin at 9:00am in Cooper Park, next to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The race will start at 10:00am sharp and awards will be distributed as soon as you cross the finish line.
https://us.mapometer.com/running/route_5420539.html
https://us.mapometer.com/running/route_5420540.html

More info/registration

Trout Unlimited Monthly Meeting
2026-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Sixth Ward Athletic Club, 22 West Broadway, Oneonta, NY
Join anglers and learn about local fishing with the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Our presenter will be Dan Stich. Dan is a Professor at SUNY Oneonta. He works with students in their studies of fish and their habitats. His students’ research ranges from sea-run fish to aquatic plants and even oxygen in lakes and rivers. The common thread in all the student projects is using data and statistics to understand how fish and other organisms respond to environmental and human changes. This presentation is open to the public and is free of charge.

Please note new location for meetings at the 6th Ward Athletic Club

Hike with ADK at Fortin Park
2026-02-10 09:45 - 12:00 | Fortin Park, 101 Youngs Road, Oneonta, NY, 13861, United States
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads a guided hike every Tuesday at locations in and near Otsego County. Free and open to the public. See website for details. Meet at 9:45 am to brief talk/sign in, hikes usually last until 11:30 or noon.

Homeschool Nature Walk at Gilbert Lake State Park
2026-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
Join OCCA for a guided winter nature walk at Gilbert Lake State Park designed especially for homeschool students and their families. We’ll explore the shoreline trail around Gilbert Lake, taking time to slow down and observe the natural world in winter—looking for animal tracks, examining winter plants and trees, and noticing how life adapts to the cold season.
Along the way, we’ll practice simple techniques for seasonal observation, including using our senses to notice patterns in bark, buds, ice, and snow; identifying signs of wildlife activity; and asking curiosity-driven questions about what we see.
This program is family-friendly and geared toward school-age children. Younger siblings are welcome.
Sign up at occainfo.org

Team BVA Winter Otsego Octet Challenge
2026-02-14 | General Jacob Morris State Forest, Dimmock Hollow Road, Morris, NY, 13326, United States
Join the Butternut Valley Alliance and BVA trail leads Ed Lentz and Peter Martin for a winter outing and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid survey to help protect area forests.
February 14 at General Jacob Morris State Forest
February 15 at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest
Contact BVA for details

Free Fishing Days
2026-02-14 - 2026-02-15 | NY
Free fishing days offer residents and non-residents who are 16 and older* to fish without a freshwater fishing license (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!).
2026 Free Fishing Days Schedule

February 14-15 (President’s Day Weekend)
June 27-28
September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)

These days offer the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, to get back into the sport, or to take a friend or the whole family along to fish! Even though a license is not needed, all other fishing regulations apply.
Did you know? Some libraries let you borrow fishing rods with a library card! Also, check out the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited for great fishing advice and programming.

Winter Living Festival
2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 State Highway 80, Sherburne, New York, 13460
Come out for the Rogers Center’s annual Winter Living Celebration—jam-packed with fun, family-friendly activities! Enjoy snowshoeing, sleigh rides, cross-cut saw demonstrations, live music performances, campfire pits, crafts, and so much more. Connect with a variety of community partners who will be on-site to share activities, resources, and winter wisdom. Festivities run from 11 AM to 3 PM, so be sure to stop by and celebrate the season.

BVA at Texas Schoolhouse State Forest
2026-02-15 | Texas School House State Forest, Jones Road, New Lisbon, New York

Local Trails: A Public Listening Session
2026-02-17 18:30 - 19:15 | NY
Join the Otsego County Conservation Association for a short, facilitated listening session to share your thoughts on our local trails. We want to hear what you love about the trails you use, and what you’d like to see improved or added in the future.
Community input will help guide future conversations around trail access, maintenance, accessibility, environmental concerns (like invasive species or habitat health), and opportunities to strengthen our local trail systems.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, a casual walker, a volunteer, or someone with ideas or concerns to share, your voice matters. Join us online via Zoom on February 17th between 6:30 – 7:15pm.
Please RSVP on the OCCA website:

Snowshoe Walk at Basswood Pond with OCCA
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Basswood Pond State Forest, 500 Conservation Road, Burlington, NY, 13315, United States
Join OCCA’s Program Director Jeff O’Handley for a guided snowshoe walk through the peaceful winter landscape at Basswood Pond. This beginner-friendly outing will explore the trails from the Jacobs Road parking area toward Basswood Road and back, offering a chance to experience the quiet beauty of the forest in winter and look for signs of wildlife in the snow.
No previous snowshoe experience is required. This walk will be enjoyable for families, beginners, and anyone curious about exploring nature in winter.
Snow Contingency:
If trail conditions do not allow for snowshoeing, the program will become a winter hike instead. Please dress for winter weather and bring sturdy footwear.

Please register in advance

Hike with ADK on the Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway
2026-02-24 09:45 - 12:00 | Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway trail (Silas Lane), Silas Lane, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States

DEC Free Fishing Day Clinic at Glimmerglass
2026-02-28 09:30 - 15:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will offer a free fishing clinic on February 28, this was initially scheduled for Feb. 18, but was moved due to rain. Location will be determined depending on ice conditions.
Free, but advance registration is required by calling Glimmerglass State Park, 607/547-8662. Sign up for 9:30-11 am, 11:30 am-1 pm, or 1:30-3 pm.
Fishing gear and bait provided, fish filleting demonstration, winter ecology

HemlockPalooza!
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
Survey, celebrate and protect our region’s hemlock forests at HemlockPalooza! Winter is the best time for searching for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an insect pest that attacks this important—and beautiful—tree. We’ll conduct a short survey of the hemlock stand around Gilbert Lake, followed by a cozy fireside celebration with warm drinks and light snacks.
HemlockPalooza is part of OCCA’s Winter Invasive Species Challenge. You do not have to be in the challenge to attend, and no prior experience is needed to join. We’ll provide you with everything you need to know! Register in advance

Hike with ADK to Clark Tower
2026-03-03 09:45 - 12:00 | Clark Tower Trails, 1194 Co Hwy 33, Cooperstown, New York
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads a guided hike every Tuesday at locations in and near Otsego County. Free and open to the public. See website for details. Meet at 9:45 am for a brief talk/sign in, hikes usually last until 11:30 or noon. If you have questions about hikes, please call or text 607/431-8010

Snow & Glow Sledding at Pine Lake
2026-03-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Hartwick College Pine Lake Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820
Enjoy snowshoeing and a firepit at Hartwick College Pine Lake campus. Music’s on, cocoa’s hot. All are welcome! Gear is free to use; $5 suggested donation. No RSVP required.

Trout Unlimited Meeting: Reel Strong, Reel Ready
2026-03-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Sixth Ward Athletic Club, 22 West Broadway, Oneonta, NY
All welcome for the monthly Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting.
Special guest speaker this month is Marisa Orizolli, a personal trainer and fitness instructor who specializes in functional strength, mobility, core training, and balance for real-life performance. She helps active adults move better, stay injury-free, and build strength that supports the activities they love most. In her talk, “Reel Strong. Reel Steady.”, Marisa explains why shoulder mobility is essential for smooth, powerful casting, how a strong and stable core supports rotational strength and protects the spine, and why balance and stability are critical for safely navigating creeks and rivers. Her message is practical and empowering: build total-body strength with purpose so you can stay steady, fish longer, and maintain the health and longevity to keep doing what you love for years to come.

Hike with ADK at Glimmerglass State Park (Sleeping Lion trail)
2026-03-10 09:45 - 12:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads a guided hike every Tuesday at locations in and near Otsego County. Free and open to the public. See website for details. Meet at 9:45 am for a brief talk/sign in, hikes usually last until 11:30 or noon. If you have questions about hikes or meeting place, please call or text 607/431-8010

Be Informed: Japanese Knotweed
2026-03-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
OCCA is offering this free program. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is a common invasive riparian plant seen in the Catskills. It can shade out other streamside plants and establish monocultures, lower water quality, and even damage infrastructure. Management of this plant can be tricky, but it is doable! Join CRISP Terrestrial Invasive Species Manager Dan Snider-Nerp to learn about current best management practices for Japanese knotweed and its closest relatives, as well as experimental management methods, and the future of sustainable management for this species in the Catskills. Sign up at occainfo.org

Wilderness First Aid Course
2026-03-14 - 2026-03-15 | Hartwick College Pine Lake Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820
Learn essential skills for responding to injuries and emergencies in remote outdoor environments. RSVP Required. $350 fee covers certification, textbook and supplies. Instructor Cody Delamarter, EMT; accommodations available. Contact pinelake@hartwick.edu for details. The course costs $350.

Homeschool Nature Walk: Silas Lane Loop
2026-03-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway trail (Silas Lane), Silas Lane, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States
Celebrate the arrival of early spring with a guided nature walk at Silas Lane in Oneonta, designed especially for homeschool students and their families. We’ll explore the trails behind the soccer fields, looking for the first signs of the changing season—melting snow, emerging buds, returning birds, and tracks in softening ground.
During our walk, we’ll take time to slow down and make observations about the subtle transitions from winter to spring. Students will be encouraged to use their senses to notice colors, textures, sounds, and patterns in the landscape, building early skills in seasonal awareness and nature journaling.
This program is family-friendly and geared toward school-age children. Younger siblings are welcome. Sign up at occainfo.org

Naked Eye Astronomy
2026-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, 138 Towers Road, Milford, New York
Join OCCA on Friday evening, March 20, at Beaver Valley Campground for a tour of the early spring skies. If the skies are clear, we will see many of the spectacular winter stars, along with a harbinger of spring: the constellation Leo and its beautiful first-magnitude star, Regulus. Regulus is actually a multiple star system and is relatively close to our sun. Mighty Jupiter will also be high in the sky that night and easily visible. No need for binoculars; after all, it’s “naked-eye astronomy.” Dress comfortably and bring lawn chairs to sit on. Please sign up at occainfo.org

Hike with ADK at Gilbert Lake State Park
2026-03-24 09:45 - 12:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States

Indigenous History Walk: A Glimpse into the Past
2026-04-04 11:00 - 12:30 | NY
Trace the history of the Susquehannock and Mohican peoples on this guided walk at the Hartwick College Pine Lake campus. Ethnoecologist Justin Wexler explores how Native land management shaped our local species and landscape.
RSVP required. No fee. All welcome

Hike with ADK at Wilber Park
2026-04-07 09:45 - 12:00 | Wilber Park, Albert Morris Drive, Oneonta, New York, 13820
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads weekly hikes on Tuesdays. Meet at 9:45, hike begins at 10. The hikes are free and open to all.
Questions? Contact ADK:
607.431.8010
adksusq+contacts@gmail.com
More info on the ADK website:
https://susqadk.org/outing-schedule/
Better yet, JOIN the chapter and get all the details emailed to you weekly!
https://susqadk.org/join/

Get the Kids Out: Emmons Pond Bog
2026-04-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Emmons Pond Bog Preserve, 2028 White Hill Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States
Join OCCA for a spring nature walk at Emmons Pond Bog, one of Otsego County’s most unique natural areas. Shake off the cabin fever and get the kids outside during school break for a fresh-air adventure! Together, we’ll explore the bog trail as the landscape wakes from winter, searching for early signs of spring—including migrating birds, emerging amphibians, and the delicate blooms of spring ephemerals on the forest floor.
Along the trail, we’ll pause often to observe and ask questions about how plants and animals respond to the return of warmth and light. Participants will learn simple techniques for spotting and identifying early wildflowers, noticing patterns in plant growth, and exploring how bog ecosystems differ from surrounding forests.
The trail tends to be muddy this time of year so please wear appropriate footwear.

More info/sign up: https://www.occainfo.org/calendar/homeschool-nature-walk-emmons-pond-bog-1

Walk the Planets
2026-04-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Compton Bridge Conservation Area, 184 County Highway 11C, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join OCCA to journey from the sun to Pluto and back in a little over an hour! Dr. Erik Stengler of the Cooperstown Graduate Program guides us on a thousand-yard walk which models our solar system at a scale that is both relatable and awe-inspiring. Common objects such as bowling balls, peppercorns, and walnuts represent the sun and planets—our feet are the rockets that will get us there.
Meet at the Otsego Land Trust’s Compton Bridge Conservation Area, 184 County Highway 11C, Cooperstown. Our walk will be along the railroad tracks. Dress to be outside. Sign up at occainfo.org

Trout Unlimited Meeting
2026-04-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Sixth Ward Athletic Club, 22 West Broadway, Oneonta, NY
Nothing is more fun than catching trout on your own hand-tied flies ! Want to learn how? Join the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited for their next meeting – April 13, 2026 at 7:00pm at the 6th Ward Athletic Club and give it a try! Some members have over 50 years tying experience! Learn from the best around – open to the public – family friendly!

Hike with ADK on the Table Rock Trails
2026-04-14 09:45 - 12:00 | Table Rock Trails at Hartwick College, Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY, 13820

Woodcock Walk
2026-04-16 19:15 - 20:15 | Parslow Road Conservation Area, 127 Parslow Road, Oaksville, NY, 13337, United States
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, in partnership with Otsego Land Trust presents the annual Spring Woodcock Walk. Join Charlie Scheim and Sandy Bright at the Otsego Land Trust’s Parslow Road Conservation Area at 127 Parslow Road, Hartwick, to observe the courting displays of the woodcocks that inhabit this protected property. In our experience, these displays occur shortly after sunset, which is around 7:43 p.m. that day. We’ll meet in the parking lot at 7:15pm and take the trail to the woodcocks’ location. The path is fairly level, although at times quite uneven, and may be muddy and wet. Total distance will be about .5 mile; the second half of the walk will be in darkness, so it’s advisable to a bring a flashlight. Note that there are no restroom facilities at the parking lot. Attendance for this program is limited to 20 people; registration is required.
