Junior ACORNS: Native Species at the Outdoor Learning Center

10:00am – 1:00pm, Saturday, August 16th at Genesee County Park                              Calling all park lovers and future naturalists! The ACORNS are the volunteer friends group at the Genesee County Parks! Together, we connect people with nature through outdoor learning, exploration and fun. You can join our mission by becoming a Junior ACORN! Visit our website to learn more and register today! Our August program will focus on native plants and ecosystems at Genesee County Park & Forest.

Summer Night Hike

7:30pm – 9:30pm, Friday, August 22nd at Genesee County Park
Explore the forest at night and enjoy the darkness and stars that accompany the New Moon. We’ll watch for fireflies, listen for owls, and hear katydids chirping. A short, easy paced walk along the trails will be followed by the chance to view stars through a telescope! Participants are welcome to bring camp chairs for the stargazing portion of the program. $5/person, $10/family. Meet at Interpretive Center. Learn more on our website at www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Summer-Night-Hike

Kayaking at DeWitt Recreation Area

10:00am – 12:00pm, Saturday, August 23rd and August 30th 
Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Recreation Area! Explore the lake by water and discover a new world. Meet at the boat launch. No experience needed, kayaking skills and safety lesson will be provided. Kayak, paddle, and PFD are available to borrow or bring your own. Ages 12 and up. Program fee is $15/person without kayak rental or $25/person with rental. Learn more and register on our website: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Kayaking-at-DeWitt-Recreation-Area

Watching Monarchs 

1:00pm- 3:00pm, Saturday, September 13th at Genesee County Park
Capture the last few days of summer with a visit to a butterfly meadow and a journey into their world! See how butterflies are tagged and released as part of a nation-wide Monarch Butterfly conservation project. Kids can explore the meadow with nets and bug catchers! Recommended for ages 4 and up! $5/person, $10/family. Meet at Interpretive Center. Learn more at www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Watching-Monarchs

Fall Wildflower Walk

1:00pm – 3:00pm, Saturday, September 20th at Genesee County Park 
Fall colors come from more than just the changing leaves! Join us for a walk to explore the beautiful wildflowers that give us purples, yellows, oranges and more each year. From goldenrods to asters we’ll identify the flowers that we find and discuss why they are important for our pollinators and ecosystems at the Genesee County Park! Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center. $5/person, $10/family. Learn more at: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Fall-Wildflower-Walk

Eco-Book Club

10:00am – 12:00pm, Saturday, September 27th at Genesee County Park 
We are creating a monthly book club where we will be reading & discussing both fiction & nonfiction nature centered books. Meet at the Interpretive Center starting at 10:00 am and will wrap up with a gentle hike through the park. Our first read is, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Books can be purchased at your local bookstore or borrowed from your local library. Learn more at: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Eco-Book-Club