Otsego Outdoors

Mushroom Walk with OCCA
2024-10-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | SUNY Oneonta College Camp, College Camp Road, Oneonta, NY, 13820, United States
OCCA’s popular mushroom walks are back! Join us for an enlightening expedition led by local forager, Shane Gardner, as we explore the lush forests at College Camp in Oneonta.
During this immersive two-hour session, Shane Gardner will guide participants through the fundamentals of mushroom foraging, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for mycology. The walk will cover various aspects of mushroom hunting, including:

Foraging Basics: Learn the essential principles of responsible and sustainable foraging practices. Discover the do’s and don’ts of mushroom hunting, including proper equipment, clothing, and safety measures.

Mushroom Identification: Gain insights into the key features used to identify different mushroom species. Shane will demonstrate how to examine cap shape, gill structure, stem characteristics, and other crucial identifiers.

Tree Species Recognition: Understand the symbiotic relationships between mushrooms and trees. Learn to identify various tree species and their associated fungi, enhancing your ability to locate specific mushroom varieties.

Free, register in advance at https://www.occainfo.org/calendar/mushroom-walk-october

Clark Tower Hike with ADK
2024-10-15 09:45 - 12:00 | Clark Tower Trails, 1194 Co Hwy 33, Cooperstown, New York
Join members of the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club for a guided hike. All ADK Chapter hikes are open to the public. They encourage anyone interested in joining the club to come for a hike or two and see what they are all about.
Meet at 9:45 am, hike begins at 10:00 am. More information: https://susqadk.org/outing-schedule/

Volunteer Day at Brookwood Point
2024-10-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Brookwood Point, 6000 State Route 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326
Help the Otsego Land Trust close out the gardens at Brookwood for the winter.
Tasks include:
putting away sculptures
wrapping fountains
taking care of the gardens

Come for the whole time, or any amount of time you can spare.
Sign up at https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/brookwood-garden-end-of-season-volunteer-day

Basswood Pond State Forest Loop Hike with OCCA
2024-10-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Basswood Pond State Forest, 500 Conservation Road, Burlington, NY, 13315, United States
Enjoy the 2ish mile loop at Basswood Pond State Forest in Burlington with OCCA Program Director, Jeff O’Handley. Trail volunteers have been hard at work keeping the trails open and clear for our enjoyment. We’ll traverse mixed deciduous forest, spruce plantations, a regenerating clear cut, and more! Meet at the small parking area on Basswood Road.

Coop Loop 5K/10K
2024-10-27 11:00 - 13:00 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Grab your Halloween mask, the family and come out to run or walk the Coop Loop. The race offers a 3 mile run/walk or you can double up on the same course for the 10k. The course takes you through the village of Cooperstown and is mostly flat with the exception of a half mile hill near the finish.

The race starts and ends at The Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326. It is a moderately difficult course that travels the roads in the Village of Cooperstown. The 5k race will travel the course once, while the 10k will travel the course two times and conclude at The Clark Sports Center.

5k/10K • Registration on, or before, October 25: $25, October 26-27: $35.
Family • $50 family entry fee. 5 people max, all children must be 18 or under. Individual registrations must be completed for each member. (Family registration is not available on race day).
Prizes will be awarded for kids and adults the following categories:

Scariest
Funniest
Best Group
Most Creative
Best Overall

Day of Race check in and registration will take place from 9:e0 am to 10:30 am.

Naked Eye Astronomy
2024-11-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Mohican Farm/OCCA offices, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The skies of autumn provide us with a nice assortment of stars and constellations to view. Additionally rising on the eastern horizon, the Summer Triangle asterism will still be visible too. We plan a tour of some well known constellations and stars and discuss the myths and stories for which many are named. We will also view the Milky Way which will be high overhead on this date. And then we will attempt to locate the most distant object the human eye can see without the aid of telescopes. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), located 2.5 million light years from Earth, ought to be in prime viewing position for us on this evening.
No need to bring binoculars or telescopes, this is “Naked Eye Astronomy”. Do bring a comfortable lawn chair, warm clothes maybe even a blanket and gloves.
We will meet inside the workshop at Mohican Farm at 7:00 for a brief overview of what we hope to see and answer any questions. We then head outside and let our eyes acclimate for a glorious evening of star gazing.
After the program, which should last 45min. – an hour, we will return inside for hot chocolate.
Stargazing is best with 100% clear and dark skies. The program will be postponed until November 2nd if Jim Hill deems the skies and weather unfavorable on the 1st

Register with OCCA online https://www.occainfo.org/calendar/naked-eye-astronomy-2

Queer Outdoors: Mud Lake Hike
2024-11-03 14:00 - 17:00 | Robert V. Riddell State Park, NY-28, just north of I-88 Exit 17, Davenport, New York, 13750
Join OCCA for a hike to Mud Lake in Robert V. Riddell State Park! The Mud Lake trail is a 5+ mile out and back trail in the southern portion of the park. The trail has a significant elevation change to the top and passes through several forest types, a waterfall, and Mud Lake, a naturally occurring floating sphagnum bog with carnivorous pitcher plants.
Please contact Amy Wyant at 607-375-7139 or director@occainfo.org with any questions!
Free, sign up at occainfo.org

Table Rock Hike with ADK
2024-11-05 09:45 - 12:00 | Table Rock Trails at Hartwick College, Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY, 13820

OCCA Kids Walk in Cooperstown
2024-11-09 02:15 - 15:15 | Village Hall, Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Nature lovers, join OCCA for an exciting urban expedition in Cooperstown after the Glimmerglass Film Days kids’ movie Flow! We’ll uncover hidden wonders in unexpected places around town.
This family-friendly nature walk is perfect for all ages. Spend an hour discovering the local ecosystem and bond with your little ones.
Meet at the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown at 2:15. Bring your curiosity and sense of adventure. Nature’s ready to play hide and seek, even in the heart of Cooperstown. See you soon, fellow nature detectives!
Free, registration appreciated, but not required

Bird Walk with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
2024-11-09 08:30 - 09:30 | Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY, United States
Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society trip leader Becky Gretton for a bird walk by Otsego Lake in Cooperstown.
Please meet promptly at 8:30am outside the entrance to the Fenimore Art Museum. The walk will take participants through the Fenimore grounds, along the shores of Otsego Lake and will loop around back to the starting point.
Bring binoculars and dress for the weather conditions. This program is free and open to the public. Birdwatchers of all levels—novice to expert—are welcome to attend! Held as part of Glimmerglass Film Days, which runs November 7-11.
Free, registrations appreciated but not required.

Guided Forest Walk
2024-11-10 12:00 - 14:00 | New York
Join the Otsego Land Trust for a walk on privately owned land that has been protected forever through conservation with Otsego Land Trust, and learn about Black Land Ownership with Christopher Banks Carr and Melissa Hunter Gurney.
Walk grade: steep
Guides: Chris Carr and Melissa Hunter Gurney, Black Land Ownership
We are excited to work with Chris and Melissa from Black Land Ownership to host a guided walk on their property in Fly Creek. This walk is in conjunction with the film Farming While Black, which Otsego Land Trust is sponsoring as part of Glimmerglass Film Days
Please register, and the address will be sent to you. https://otsegolandtrust.org/events/guided-forest-walk

“We want our land to be a safe space for folks who would like to experience the great outdoors without the threat of harassment, intimidation, and overt racism.”
– Chris and Melissa, Black Land Ownership

Free Fishing Day in NY
2024-11-11 | New York
Free fishing days offer New York State residents and non-residents who are 16 and older* to fish without a freshwater fishing license or recreational marine fishing registration (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!).
2024 Free Fishing Days Schedule

June 29-30
September 28 (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.
See the I FISH NY Beginner’s Guide to Freshwater Fishing

OCCA Be Informed Series: Otsego Lake Fish
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Fisheries biologist Dr. Chip Cotton (SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station) will discuss ongoing efforts to catalog and update the biological inventory of fish species that inhabit the lake. He will discuss how the lake’s fish community has changed over the last half century, as well as some of the factors driving those changes. Cotton will provide practical tips for anglers to help identify closely related and confusing species. Lastly, Cotton will discuss some of the local research and monitoring efforts conducted by fisheries biologists at SUNY Cobleskill and the Biological Field Station.
This OCCA program will be held at the Clark Sports Center in the community room at 7 pm.
Sign up at occainfo.org.

Volunteer to Put Up Birdhouses
2024-11-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Parslow Road Conservation Area, 127 Parslow Road, Oaksville, NY, 13337, United States
The Otsego Land Trust received a grant to get 50 birdhouses fabricated for Parslow Road Preserve, an awesome bird habitat! We have owl boxes, wood duck boxes, bluebird boxes, and others that need to be put up and we need your help!
Come on November 14 or 15, or both days.
Let the Land Trust know you’re coming

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot for Hospice
2024-11-28 09:00 - 10:30 | Oneonta Boys and Girls Club, 70 River Street, Oneonta, New York, 13820
Choose to do a 5K run or a 2.5K walk. The Turkey Trot begins promptly at 9 am on Thanksgiving on House Street in front of Riverside School in Oneonta. Virtual Race options available too.

In-Person Registration/Pick-Up Information:
All pickups will be at the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club, located at 70 River St in Oneonta

Wednesday, 11/27: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday (Trot morning): 7:30 am – 8:45am

Run/Walk will start promptly at 9:00 am at our usual location (House St – in front of Riverside School)

Day After Thanksgiving Hike
2024-11-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Table Rock Trails at Hartwick College, Hartwick Drive, Oneonta, NY, 13820
Let’s get outside on the Friday after Thanksgiving instead of shopping or vegging in front of screens! Join OCCA Assistant Director, Shelby MacLeish for a hike at the Table Rock Trails in Oneonta. Please sign up at occainfo.org

Hike with ADK at Gilbert Lake State Park
2024-12-10 09:45 - 11:30 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
Join members of the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club for a guided hike. Open to all.
Meet at 9:45 am, hike begins at 10 am

Homeschool Nature Walk at Glimmerglass State Park
2024-12-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join the Otsego County Conservation Association for a Homeschool Nature Walk.
Winter is an excellent time to explore our local parks. Let’s bundle up and see what wonders we find. We will meet at the trailhead to the beaver pond and explore from there.
Please sign up at occainfo.org

Cooperstown Ugly Sweater Run/Walk
2024-12-14 09:30 - 11:30 | Pioneer Park, Cooperstown, Main Street and Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The Clark Sports Center is excited to welcome back our Rockin’ Around Cooperstown Ugly Sweater Race! While this is a fun event for those participating, we are also raising funds for the Cooperstown Angel Network, who assists families with demonstrated need in the Cooperstown Central School District.
RACE LOCATIONThe race will begin at Santa’s House in Pioneer Park at approximately 9:30am with Santa himself giving opening remarks.
DISTANCE2 mile walk or 4 mile run, both chip timed. The walk and run course will go through the Village of Cooperstown.
COSTThis year’s registration cost is donation based – you choose! No amount is too big or too small.
All proceeds from this year’s race will go directly to the Cooperstown Angel Network. The Cooperstown Angel Network assists families with demonstrated need in the Cooperstown Central School District. Checks can be made payable to: Angel Network of Cooperstown, Inc. The Angel Network of Cooperstown, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
REGISTRATIONRegister in person at the Clark Sports Center. Registration forms are available at the Main Desk.
Pre-registered runners and those who wish to register on race day may do so from 8:00–9:00am at the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce (31 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown NY 13326). The race begins at 9:30am on Main Street.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• The race is a rain, snow or shine event• Dress Warm and in your ugliest sweaters!• Please bring ID• Parking available at Doubleday Field, Clark Sports Center, or the Trolley Red Lot• The race is timed, but is currently not a USATF sanctioned event• A water stop will be placed near the halfway mark and at the end• Please note that traffic will be allowed on all streets. Major intersections will be staffed.• Please avoid personal listening devices

First Day Hike at Gilbert Lake State Park
2025-01-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
Self-guided hike/ski/snowshoe around the Gilbert Lake trail or outer trails. Dress for the weather and wear smart footwear for outdoor activities, there may be snow, ice, slush and/or mud. If we’ve had enough snow, we’ll have the road around the lake snow-blown for easy walking. The fires will be roaring in the Briggs Pavilion to warm you up after your outdoor adventure. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided.
Meet-up Location: Briggs Pavilion at Gilbert Lake, Approximate distance of hike: 1-3 miles, Leashed pets welcome.

First Day Hike at the Rogers Center
2025-01-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 State Highway 80, Sherburne, New York, 13460
Welcome the new year with a hike along the trails at Rogers Center. Meet at our main parking lot and choose your hiking adventure: Easy – Channels Marsh Trail; Moderate – Adams Farm Trail; Challenging – Farm Tower. Friends of Rogers Staff, and members of the Bullthistle Hiking Club lead the hikes. Registration not required.

First Day Hike at Glimmerglass State Park
2025-01-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Start off 2025 with a hike!

After checking in at the park office at 10:00am for swag/giveaways, hikers will head towards the beach. From there, they can hike the Beaver Pond Trail (0.5 mile easy walk). We will have a small bonfire near Beaver Pond and some hot cocoa. If you don’t want to hike on the Beaver Pond Trail, we have other trails to check out. Please bring proper clothing, footwear, hiking poles and your camera! Meet-up Location: Glimmerglass State Park Office, Approximate distance of hike: 1.5 miles, Leashed pets welcome.

Herps of Otsego County talk
2025-01-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Have you ever seen a parade of frogs and salamanders crossing the road in early spring? Do you wonder where they’re going or why? If so, please come to a workshop with OCCA and Elizabeth Bastiaans, Associate Professor of Biology at SUNY Oneonta!
You’ll get to know New York’s species of vernal pool breeding amphibians and how you can help them safely migrate from the forest to their breeding sites each spring, while collecting valuable community science data on who’s migrating where!
This program is taking place at the Clark Sports Center in the community room.
Please register at occainfo.org

Homeschool Nature Day at Wilber Park
2025-01-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Wilber Park, Albert Morris Drive, Oneonta, New York, 13820
Join OCCA for a relaxing winter stroll through Wilber Park! The snow and mud create an ideal backdrop for spotting animal tracks, and we will explore the trails in winter.
We will meet at the Briggs Swimming Pool. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear supportive, warm footwear.
To access Lower Wilber Park—From Center Street take the first left onto East Street. At the first light turn right onto Spruce Street. Lower Wilber Park entrance will be on your left.
Please register in advance at occainfo.org

Birdability Presentation
2025-01-17 19:30 - 20:30 | New York
Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom, for a presentation on Birdability’s initiatives to enhance access and inclusivity for birders with disabilities and other health challenges.
Cat Fribley, Executive Director of Birdability.org, and Virginia Rose, founder of Birdability, will delve into the organization’s mission, providing a detailed exploration of its efforts to make birding more accessible and inclusive, and how we all have a role.
This session will introduce the Birdability Map, provide information about barriers and what helps create access for birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and offer practical insights for creating accessible events and spaces. Attendees will gain actionable tips and tools to help create access and inclusion in their communities.
This program is provided free of charge and open to the public. Register at the following URL: https://tinyurl.com/y5hetdhp
Presenter Bios
Cat Fribley (she/her) serves as the Executive Director of Birdability. With a rich background in nonprofit development, a passion for birding, and a steadfast commitment to disability rights, she brings a unique perspective to this role. Cat’s journey into birding began in college, where it became a source of mental health support and healing following a PTSD diagnosis. Over time, a series of physical injuries and illnesses led her to seek adaptive ways to continue birding as a form of mindfulness and connection with nature, despite limited mobility. Her experiences navigating accessible birding opportunities while traveling to all 50 states have made her especially attuned to the work of Birdability and the importance of the Birdability Map. She now resides in Iowa City, IA, with her wife and two indoor cats, within a beloved community and among a variety of backyard birds.

Virginia Rose (she/her) fell off a horse at the age of 14 which resulted in a spinal cord injury. A wheelchair user ever since, she began birding 17 years ago and discovered her best self in nature. She founded Birdabilty in 2018 and leads accessible Birdability outings for Travis Audubon and at birding festivals each year. As a retired high school English teacher, she is passionate about bringing the same joy, empowerment and community she found in birding and nature to others who have mobility challenges.

Annual Waterfowl Count
2025-01-19 | New York
The NY State Ornithological Association’s annual statewide waterfowl count is scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2025.
The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) covers Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna River above Unadilla, the Unadilla River, and Cannonsville Reservoir and the W. Branch of the Delaware River. This effort involves surveying waterways where they can be viewed, and identifying and counting ducks and geese. The totals are used by the Department of Environmental Conservation in managing these species over the upcoming year.
Anyone interested in helping with the census, please contact Andy Mason at (607) 267-8491, or by email at AndyMason@earthling.net.

Get the Kids Out: Fortin Park
2025-01-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Fortin Park, 101 Youngs Road, Oneonta, NY, 13861, United States
Join OCCA for a holiday break at Fortin Park! If there’s snow, we’ll have the opportunity to sled or build snow sculptures. If not, we’ll explore the park and learn about the watershed and the animals that inhabit Fortin Park. It will be a fun day either way. We hope to see you there.

Please sign up at occainfo.org

Hike with ADK: Gilbert Lake State Park
2025-01-21 09:45 - 12:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
Join the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club for a guided hike. Open to the public and free. Schedules hikes may change, check https://susqadk.org/outing-schedule/ for latest updates.
Hikes begin at 10 am, with sign-in and announcements beginning at 9:45 am.

Naked Eye Astronomy
2025-01-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Mohican Farm, 7193 State Highway 80, Springfield, NY, 13326, United States
Join OCCA for a night of star gazing!
The skies of winter provide us with spectacular stars and constellations to view. At no other time of the year are there so many bright stars (stars with apparent magnitude less than 1) in the sky. Additionally planets Saturn & Venus may be visible on the western horizon and mighty Jupiter and Mars will be visible as well. We plan a tour of some well known constellations and stars and discuss the myths and stories for which many are named. Then we will attempt to locate the most distant object the human eye can see without the aid of telescopes. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is located 2.5 million light years from Earth, and it ought to be in prime viewing position for us on this evening.
No need to bring binoculars or telescopes, this is “Naked Eye Astronomy”. Do bring a comfortable lawn chair, warm clothes maybe even a blanket and gloves.

We will meet inside the workshop at Mohican Farm at 7:00 for a brief overview of what we hope to see. Please if you have any questions write them down so we can discuss. I have found that your Astronomy question is likely one which many other folks have as well. We then head outside and let our eyes acclimate for a glorious evening of star gazing.
After the program, which should last 45min. – an hour, we will return inside for hot chocolate.
Stars are best viewed on a cloudless night. If the sky is overcast, we will reschedule for Saturday, January 25.
Sign up in advance with OCCA
