Lake Ontario

Walk or kayak through our New York State Lake Shore Marshes and other protected spaces, while hearing about environmental history. Become acquainted with local spaces, while observing birds, bluff mud, rocks, pollution and local characters.

Ready to contribute to these conserved spaces by joining in a beach cleanup? Moore Dirty Boots has an ongoing stewardship agreement with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Help clean the Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management area of debris, or perhaps help fight invasive species. Learn from professionals in conservation and environmental education regarding plastic pollution, Monarch butterfly migration, birding and more!

Read more here in our most recent blog post

Doing what we love feels wonderful. Time on the trails and near our fresh waters with interested people has invigorated me. Telling the right tales is a need that I can no longer ignore.

We’re grateful to build upon relationships and cumulated knowledge to empower people to know and care for our region. Introducing Melanie from Lazy Dirt Wildflower Farm and Lauren from Lilac Nature Connection will be a delight!

Spring has been abundant with field trips and wildflowers at Rice Creek Field Station. Though introducing youths to the outdoors is a main emphasis of our work, smaller groups can foster incredible connections and learning. In addition to working with students and members of the public, two very special groups stand out.

Yesterday, E.J. Seale and I welcomed Force Blue to the field station. This group of retired special operations veterans have united to aid marine conservation. In collaboration with NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Force Blue removed approximately 35 pounds of water chestnut from Rice Creek. Nearly a dozen Force Blue members pulled the young plants and collected them in laundry baskets attached to their kayaks/canoes. A media team was present to capture pictures and video, including drone footage. It will be fun to see the footage and it could be especially helpful in managing the water quality. Harmful Algal Blooms are a concern and are not to be underestimated. Learning about the various monitoring systems that may or may not be in place is a new objective. Though Cayuga Lake may have strong systems in place, (Thank YOU!) there are other areas who may not be as informed and aware.

Sea Grant staff were another group that I was thrilled to lead at Rice Creek. 22 professionals from across the nation participated in a field trip at RCFS while attending a conference at SUNY Oswego. It was comforting to be around so many other water workers, including scientists, educators and others. It was incredibly meaningful for me to spend time with this group as we hiked and toured the station. Sharing highlights of our environmental education work, including field trips incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge was an honor.

Supporting the NYS DEC in the Lake Shore Marshes is another deeply personal endeavor. Invasive species removal and native plant programs are a targeted project in development at Port Bay Barrier Bar. Plan to hear more about these efforts and others in the coming months and years.

As we are growing gardens, we are also growing our Youth Ecological Ambassador program!! Helping youths discover our area with passionate, curious eyes; teaching our natural and cultural history while we steward these areas and connect to future work that sustains us. This is our passion.

We are working to cultivate joy. Beginning with gratitude. This viewpoint fills me with appreciation for my work in wine, water, woods, books and history. Years spent in hospitality and education combine into one wonderful romance.

We’re celebrating the conservation successes of Hemlock Lake with two special events in 2026!

An early summer paddle will precede a fall guided hike. Participants will spend time in the ecosystems which supported the last mating pair of bald eagles when New York’s groundbreaking hacking program began.

Picnicking, forest bathing and gratitude nature journaling will enhance our experiences.

More information and registration details to be announced soon!