Children participating in a snowshoeing event at Rogers Center. Join Friends of Rogers for a snowshoe hike up to Farm Tower at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, and enjoy a tasty hot chocolate afterwards. (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE — Expanded monthly programming continues with Friends of Rogers with three programs in early February, two of which will be available on Zoom. This addition of Zoom allows Friends of Rogers to include attendees from all over the country that share an interest in the environmental education programs they provide.

Executive Director Simon Solomon said, “We wanted to expand our audience to include folks at home as well as in person. As we continue trough the pandemic, so many of us have become familiar with this platform and use it as a safe alternative to in person meetings.”

The first program in February is only in person, as it is a hike. Snowshoe to Farm Tower with Hot Cocoa on Saturday, February 5 at 10 a.m. Join Friends of Rogers for a snowshoe hike up to the Farm Tower followed by a treat of hot cocoa. Meet in the main parking lot by 10 a.m. You can bring your own equipment or use our snowshoes to try it out. Event is weather dependent, so please register so we can notify you of any changes.

The second program will run just before the third, on the same day. Amphibians of NY State with Eric Diefenbacher on Saturday, February 12 at 10 a.m. in the Bird Cabin or on Zoom. With spring comes salamanders and frogs! Join herpetologist Eric H. Diefenbacher (SUNY Morrisville) to talk about and learn how to identify the many species of amphibians that call New York State their home. Masks will be required to be worn in the building. This event will also be on Zoom, and a link will be provided to you at the email you use to register.

Traditional Ice Harvest with Friends of Rogers on Saturday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at Rogers Center. Grab your ice saw and join Fred von Mechow, former DEC Educator, at the Cunningham Ice Pond. Harvesting ice seems unneeded in winter to us, but before refrigeration ice chunks were necessary in hotter months. Admire the antique tools Fred uses and try out traditional ice harvesting for yourself, as if you are in the 19th century! We will offer part of this on Zoom as well. Link will be provided to you at the email you use to register.

Each event is free to attend and is sponsored by the Otis Thompson Foundation. You can register to attend by emailing info@friendsofrogers.org.

Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for people of all ages. Seasonal hours of the Visitor Center are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, other times by appointment.

-from Friends of Rogers