Volunteers take part in National Public Lands Day at Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne in 2025. This year’s event returns Saturday, Sept. 26, with volunteer stewardship projects, Haudenosaunee smoke dancing and tree identification. (Photo by Sean Cooney)

SHERBURNE — The nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands will be celebrated at Rogers Environmental Education Center on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event will feature Haudenosaunee smoke dancing and tree identification with DEC Forester Paul Romanenko. The Friends of Rogers invite the greater community to join volunteers who steward public lands.

Chris Thomas, an Onondaga Beaver Clan smoke dancer, will lead dancers from the Haudenosaunee Nations in skillful dances that honor Haudenosaunee traditions and culture. Thomas often invites guests to join in, providing an entertaining and educational social dance exhibition for all. The opening dance is at 1 p.m., and the closing dance will be at 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer opportunities will include mulching the Hall of Trees, organizing saplings in Nature’s Nursery and maintaining the well-loved trails of Rogers Environmental Education Center.

“The public lands here belong to us all, and this special day is a perfect chance to care for a magical place that offers connection, adventure, countless stories, and a sense of belonging to so many,” said Gil Polk, community engagement coordinator for the Friends of Rogers.

This year’s event will continue the annual tradition of connecting representatives from the Oneida Indian Nation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Friends of Rogers and volunteers from the community, the heartbeat of public land stewardship.

“I love nature, and volunteering at Rogers has deepened that,” said Rogers Center volunteer Garet Brigham. “It’s a great place. I never have a bad thought while I’m there.”

Questions may be directed to Gil Polk at gil@friendsofrogers.org.

Rogers Environmental Education Center, operated by the Friends of Rogers, is one of four DEC environmental education centers and is located at 2721 state Route 80 in Sherburne.

— Information from Friends of Rogers