Friends of Rogers will celebrate the 15th year of First Day Hikes with a guided walk at Rogers Environmental Education Center, led by Friends of Rogers and the Bullthistle Hiking Club. The hikes will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, January 1, at the Friends of Rogers Visitor Center, located at 2721 State route 80 in Sherburne. (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE - Friends of Rogers will celebrate the 15th year of First Day Hikes with a guided walk at Rogers Environmental Education Center, led by Friends of Rogers and the Bullthistle Hiking Club.

The hikes will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, January 1, at the Friends of Rogers Visitor Center, located at 2721 State route 80 in Sherburne.

According to the Friends of Rogers, guided walks are free with no registration needed. There are six miles of trails to enjoy and snowshoes are offered if needed.

Hikes are for all skill levels and provide a great way to get outside and enjoy the wilderness.

Recently, Friends of Rogers Executive Director David Carson said hikers can choose between two trails.

One of the chosen hiking trails is a 1.1 mile route to the Farm Tower. It is a bit challenging with an incline. The second trail is a gentle 1.4 mile hike along the Channels Marsh Trail and the Chenango River.

Carson also said to dress for the weather with layers, coats, hats, gloves and boots.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), First Day Hikes is a nationwide initiative that takes place annually on New Year’s Day.

Across the state, hikes are led by DEC staff, local partners, and volunteers. The hikes range from mountain climbs to cross-country skiing, strolls and much more.

Free guided hikes will be offered across the state on January 1, 2026. To find a hike near you, visit  dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/first-day-hikes.

Rogers Center is one of New York's oldest environmental education centers until 2010. In 2011, the Friends of Rogers, a private organization, reopened the center to keep this regional treasure open for future generations.

Friends of Rogers is a non-profit that runs the environmental education center programs.

For more information visit Friends of Rogers website at www.friendsofrogers.org/.