Located just off Thompson Road in Oswego, Rice Creek Field Station at SUNY Oswego is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts to engage with the great outdoors that Oswego County is so well known for. Boasting more than 718 species of plants, 61 types of fungi and 218 species of animals, there is never a shortage of natural treasures to see at Rice Creek.
Rice Creek Field Station opened in 1966 on property that was once farmland. With nearly 400 acres of varied habitats that support diverse plant and wildlife, it includes open fields, shrub lands, streams and creeks. Visitors will also discover mature hardwood forests that were once part of a farm woodlot and abandoned orchards, stone walls and hedgerows from its earlier days as an agriculture site. When the facility was first developed, conifer plantations were introduced along with select European and Asian trees and shrubs. The 26-acre Rice Pond was also created by the construction of a dam on Rice Creek.
The history of the area can be traced back to the late 18th century when Asa and Elizabeth Rice settled with their family at the mouth of Rice Creek, then known as Three Mile Creek. Eventually, they moved upstream and other families joined them to establish a small farming community called Union Village, later renamed Fruit Valley.
Rice Creek Field Station
The facility closed in 2012 for a major, year-long renovation project. At more than 7,600 square feet, the main building is now double the size of its predecessor. It contains state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, a research lab and library, a lecture room and reception area, an observatory control room and administrative offices.
The renovation project included advances in green technology. It was built to be close to a net-zero carbon emissions structure and achieve LEED Gold Certification. The exterior has high-rated insulation and a sunshade system to reduce energy consumption. Other features include advanced storm water retention basins, rain gardens, energy-efficient heating and cooling, light and motion sensitive lighting as well as a rooftop solar system that provides approximately 40 percent of the facility’s electricity.
Rice Creek Field Station
True to its purpose as a living laboratory, the field station continues to maintain the Ruth Sachidanandan Herb Garden, which contains more than 70 species of herbs, and an extensive trail network for people to learn about and enjoy nature first-hand. The grounds also include the 16” telescope observatory which was relocated from the Romney Field House parking lot.
The four nature trails are open to the public and vary in length, terrain and habitat. All of the trails allow hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; however, only the Orange Trail also permits biking. As this is a wildlife study area, visitors are asked to stay on designated trails and not to remove or disturb wildlife or vegetation. For the same reason, other outdoor activities such as camping, boating, swimming, hunting, trapping or fishing are not allowed on site and visitors are asked to carry out any trash they create or find.
Visitors can also engage in wildlife viewing or check out the natural history displays in the field station. Displays include student research projects, butterflies, a rare Harlequin Duck and more.
In addition to hosting student classes and research projects, Rice Creek Field Station engages the community with a variety of nature programs and events for all ages throughout the year. Offerings include guided nature walks, educational presentations, outdoor activities and more.
Rice Creek Field Station
Parking at Rice Creek Field Station is free and open to the public. SUNY Oswego students are offered free transportation to Rice Creek from campus via the green shuttle during the spring and fall semesters.
The facility and grounds are open to the public year-round free of charge. Building hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. For more information, call 315-312-6677 or visit https://www.oswego.edu/rice-creek/home.