Genesee County Park & Forest

Press release:

Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass! Experts Rick Worner and Linda Kohn teach Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday Sept. 26h from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Perfect for beginners or those who want to practice their skills. All materials provided, no experience necessary. Orienteering is a family-friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.

Orienteering is just one more way to have fun for free in the forest!

This program will be held outdoors. All participants must sign a waiver prior to orienteering. Masks must be worn whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Space is limited, preregistration is required. Preregister online here or call (585) 344-1122.

Come explore the park with two new orienteering courses, available from Sept. 26th to Oct. 10th.

Download the FREE map here starting on Sept. 27th and enjoy.

"Rudy" is an artiste. She has her own expressive way of coloring a canvas and today, area children got to help her make individual pieces of art for them to take home.

The art event was held outside the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park & Forest.

The children also learned about 14-year-old Rudy and her fellow red-eared slider turtles, which hail from the Southern United States.

Press release:

EAST BETHANY -- York State’s first county forest -- Genesee County Park & Forest -- has an Environmental Education Assistant Internship position open for May – August.

The position is administered through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and is located at Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and a U.S. citizen.

Environmental Education Assistants develop, organize, plan and lead environmental education programs to audiences of all ages in a wide variety of settings under the guidance of park staff. Environmental Education Assistants also coordinate the efforts of park volunteers.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting programs for schools, summer rec groups, scouts and the general public;
• Providing customer service to park visitors and program participants;
• Planning volunteer and park events;
• Writing articles for the parks seasonal newsletter;
• Marketing of park events, programs and resources;
• Scheduling and coordinating volunteers to assist with park events and projects;
• Providing training and orientation to new park volunteers.

SCA interns earn a stipend of $125/week while serving and are eligible for an education award of $1,612 that may be used for student loans, tuition, classes or future college costs.

This position requires 16 weeks of 40 hour/week of service from May until August. Hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Flexibility is given in order to cover the prescheduled programs that are outside of the normal working hours within the 40-hour work week.

Additional benefits:

• First Aid/AED/CPR training provided;
• Experience and on-the-job training in environmental education and volunteer coordinating;
• Deeper knowledge of natural history and ecology;
• Job duties include volunteer outings (kayaking, hiking)
• Networking with professionals in Environmental Science and Education

The application deadline is April 10.

To apply: Apply online here.

For additional information contact Shannon Lyaski, Conservation Education Program coordinator at:   Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us.

Joshua Finn says he always wanted a blond female running partner and he wound up with Charlotte, a young golden retriever full of energy.

They run together a lot, as much as six miles on a weekend run.

"If she sees me grab my headphones and leash, she goes nuts," Finn said.

On one of his runs, Finn, who also runs in 5Ks, said he thought, "wouldn't it be cool to run in a 5K with dogs."

He shared his idea with Adrienne Penders and she, well, ran with it.

Penders, owner of Matted Mutts and involved with rescues and Volunteers for Animals for more than 15 years, has spent dozens of hours and thousands of dollars of her own money to bring together the "Mutt Strut," a 5K walk in the Genesee County Park & Forest at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. (She also was helped by her boyfriend Jonathan Wright, who helped promotional material, including building the promotional website).

To bring the event together, there was insurance to secure, waivers to sign, release forms, and other paperwork and numerous meetings involved in getting approval from county officials.

All in the name of creating a family-friendly, and dog-friendly event where people can enjoy a relaxing walk in one of Genesee County's most scenic areas.

Since it's the first-ever large-scale dog walk/run event in the park, park officials wanted to keep it manageable so it's limited to 100 participants.

"We want it to be a success not only for the dogs but for the park so we can keep doing it year after year after year," Penders said.

To help with the success, dog trainer Tori Ganino, owner of Calling All Dogs, will be on hand to help spot dogs that might be not be suitable for the event. The event is for dogs who are comfortable around other dogs and children.

"Obviously, everybody thinks their dog is wonderful but sometimes you get into a close encounter with 50 dogs and 100 kids running around dogs, some dogs might act a little differently, so she’s there basically to either explain to somebody how to control their dog or advise that the dog shouldn't attend the event because it’s not going to be safe," Penders said.

Dogs and their handlers can sign up at mattedmutts.com/muttstrut/. Registration is $30 per person or $80 for a family of four. All proceeds benefit Volunteers for Animals.

The canines get a doggie gift bag and there will be food for participants afterward.

Photo: Joshua Finn, Charlotte, Adrienne Penders, and Pablo.

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There are several adventures offered next month at Genesee County Park & Forest and DeWitt Recreation Area. These September recreational opportunities include: a Full Moon Hike; Orienteering with the Rochester Orienteering Club; Geocaching at DeWitt; and Learning About Wild Turkeys.

Here are the details:

Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest with Rochester Orienteering Club

Come explore the active and adventurous sport of Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest with Rochester Orienteering Club from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14th. Beginner class and basic training takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. Orienteering start is open 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All courses close at 1:30 pm.

Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass. All material provided no experience necessary.

Orienteering is a family friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels. Perfect for individuals and families who love the outdoors. Please preregister online here; or by calling 585-344-8508, ext. 3701, and leaving your name, phone number, and number of participants.

Harvest Moon Night Hike at the Genesee County Park & Forest

Come join us on a night hike through a moonlit forest with our Harvest Moon Night Hike at the Genesee County Park & Forest from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14th.

Look and listen for nocturnal animals that can’t be seen or heard during the day! Hear tales of the full moon that comes at the beginning of fall, and learn the origins of its name.

Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration required, call 585-344-8508, ext. 3701, and leave your name, phone number, and number of participants to reserve your spot.

Geocaching at DeWitt Recreation Area

Get out and try a high-tech scavenger hunt with our Geocaching at DeWitt Recreation Area program from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21st.

Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt game that can be played anytime and anywhere. Create a personal alias or team name to let others know you were here. Sign up as a group or by yourself. No prior geocaching experience is necessary, a lesson and GPS unit is provided.

Dress for the weather and be ready for adventure! Meet at Pavilion 3 at DeWitt Recreation Area.

Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration is required. Call 585-344-8508, ext. 3701, and leave your name, phone number, and number of participants to register.

Wild Turkeys at the Genesee County Park & Forest

Did you know that wild turkeys can swim? Or that they can fly 55 miles per hour? Join the National Wild Turkey Federation and Women in the Outdoors for Wild Turkeys at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28th to learn more cool facts and find out how turkeys survive in the wild.

Then head out to the forest and fields to practice turkey calls and see where they can live! This program is FREE! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Reserve your spot by calling 585-344-8508, ext. 3701, and leaving your name, phone number, and number of participants.

For more information visit the park & forest website here, or contact the park office at 585-344-8508.

Genesee County Park and Forest is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

DeWitt Recreation Area is located at 115 Cedar St. in the City of Batavia.

A new pier into one of the ponds at Genesee County Park, suitable for relaxing and taking in nature and wildlife, was dedicated Friday by the leaders of Camp Hard Hat and the students participated along with their supporters and family members.

This is the sixth project completed in the park by Camp Hard Hat students over the past six summers.

East Bethany – Enjoy the view of a dark night sky and get to know the summer’s constellations with Night Sky Tour and Stargazing at the Genesee County Park and Forest from 9 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9th.

Learn all about the Perseid meteor shower and other astronomical phenomenon and the folklore behind them!

Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center for an outdoor presentation and guided tour of the night sky.

Bring a blanket or a chair for your spot in a meadow far away from city lights. This program will take place entirely outdoors.

If rain or cloudy skies threaten our view we will reschedule to Friday, Aug. 16th. Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration is required, call 585-344-1122 to reserve your spot.

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Kayla Edmunds at park.americorps@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Genesee County Park & Forest Nature Interpretive Center is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

Above, some of the options for composting containers are shown above, from left a Rubbermaid composter, a garage can composter, and a red worm composter.​

East Bethany – The GLOW Region Solid Waste Management Committee and Genesee County Parks are proud to announce the rehab of the Backyard Composting Demonstration Site at Genesee County Park and Forest!

The site is made up of a variety of homemade and manufactured composters of various shapes and sizes, along with the printed information for each type of composter. Visitors can see for themselves the types of composters available and decide which composter might work best for them.

Backyard composting has been a focus of GLOW’s since its formation in 1987. It has been estimated that up to 30 percent of residential waste is organic material. This includes leaves, brush, tree limbs, and kitchen scraps.

Backyard composting can significantly reduce reliance on landfilling and incineration by taking these organics out of the waste stream.

Composting speeds up the natural decomposition process by creating a perfect environment for the microorganisms that do the composting. This ideal environment is one that is warm, with plenty of nutrients, moisture, and oxygen. Finished compost (humus) puts nutrients back into the soil and aids in the retention of moisture in soil.

The compost demonstration site was initially built in 1994. When the Interpretive Nature Center was completed in 1997, the compost site was moved behind the center.

In 2000 a complete reconstruction and relocation of the site (to the front of the building) was completed, which features a kiosk area and walkway made of pavers.

The 2019 revamping of the site features new signage, a "take one" box containing GLOW’s four panel composting brochure, and a rearrangement of the composters.

Paul Osborn, Deputy Highway superintendent, sums up the benefits of the composting demonstration site.

“The opportunity for the park visitors to see and touch the various types of composters fits right into our goal of experiential learning and environmental education at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center," Osborn said.

"Composting puts nutrients back into soils and provides beneficial food for plants and insects. We are excited to have been a part of providing a new makeover to the compost siteand the continued partnership with GLOW Solid Waste!”

To find out more about the GLOW RegionSolid Waste Committee, contact the GLOW office at 800/836-1154, 344-2580, ext. 5463, or emailglow@co.genesee.ny.us.

You may also visit their website at https://www.glowsolidwaste.org/.

To learn how to compost at home, visit the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center or the GLOW website at https://www.glowsolidwaste.org/.

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Below, Backyard Composting Demonstration Site, showing the cycle of composting and different methods of at-home composting.

Press release:

East Bethany – Spots are still open for Environmental Science Camp at the Genesee County Park & Forest!

This weeklong adventure includes wildlife surveys, field and stream studies, outdoor recreation, a K9-assisted investigation, a field trip, and more. This camp is for students entering seventh – 10th grade.

Camp meets Monday through Friday, July 8th – 12th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest. All materials, lunch and snacks are provided each day along with a camp T-shirt.

Cost is $95/camper for the entire week. Registration deadline is Monday, June 24th.

To register, download the registration form from our website here.

Print it out and return the completed forms with payment to:

(Main Office)

Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center

153 Cedar St.
Batavia, NY 14020

For more information visit our website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Here are three upcoming programs offered at Genesee County Park & Forest:

Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring

How can you help baby birds? Join us at Genesee County Park & Forest for Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 23rd.

Come discover NestWatch -- a nationwide nest monitoring program that helps scientists track wild bird populations. Help bluebirds at the park and learn how to keep them healthy in your own backyard!

Dress for the weather and meet at the Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest. Learn about the secret life of the Eastern Bluebird, then head outside to prepare next boxes for nesting season 2019. This event will go on, rain or shine.

This program is FREE. Please preregister by calling 585-344-1122.

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit our website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Amphibian Adventure

Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday April 13th.

Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center to learn how to identify our pest-eating pals. Then we will venture into the wetlands and forest at night to search for amphibians in their habitat! Hear their many calls as they welcome spring and find out what you can do to help your tiny big-eyed friends.

Dress for the weather, amphibians love rainy nights and this program will go rain or shine! Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration is required, call 585-344-1122 to reserve your spot.

Summertime Environmental Science Camp for Seventh- through 10th-graders

Press release:

Discover the wonders of winter with hikes at the Genesee County Park & Forest! Track the secret lives of wild animals and seek out the brave birds that spend winter in Western New York! Winter Wonderland Hikes are held on Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 19th: Animal Tracks & Signs (*Bad weather date: Saturday Jan. 26th)
• Saturday, Feb.16th: Winged Wildlife (*Bad weather date: Saturday Feb. 23rd)

Hikes will go, snow or no snow. Hikes begin at the Interpretive Nature Center and end with hot chocolate and snacks. Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed! Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family. Recommended for ages 3 and up! Pre-registration is required, call 585-344-1122! If cancelled due to weather, hikes will be rescheduled to bad weather dates as listed above.

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest on a full moon night! Naturalists lead you on a peaceful Moonlight Snowshoe and Winter Fun Hike on Saturday, Jan. 19th and Saturday, Feb. 16th from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at Pavilion B on Raymond Road. Hikes will go, snow or no snow. Hikes begin and conclude with refreshments by a warm fire in Pavilion B! For ages 18 and over.

Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed! Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family.

Make a memory this winter with your own Private Group Snowshoe Hike! A Naturalist guides your group through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows. Listen to winter’s quiet beauty and find signs of wildlife in this 431-acre park. Private hikes are available on Saturdays in January and February from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. by reservation only at the Interpretive Nature Center. No previous experience is needed; snowshoes provided or bring your own. Rental is included in the price, $5/person, minimum group fee is $75. Call 585-344-1122 to book your own adventure!

Snowshoe Rentals are available at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Center 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 12 – 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays December through March, weather permitting. Snowshoes must be used in the park. Fee is $5/pair and all proceeds go to ACORNS, the nonprofit organization that supports the parks!

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit the website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski atShannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Kaylee Brown, 5, with her father Chris Brown, shows off the reindeer she made at yesterday's Create-A-Critter session at the Genesee County Park Interpretive Center.

A couple of dozen children showed up over two sessions yesterday where the kids could create small little animals out of corncobs, pine cones, thistle pods, and other natural materials.

Below, Rhowen Torrey, 4, with Gregg Torrey.

Charles Raymond Sutherland looks seaward in September 2017 from a jetty on Pierpont Beach, Ca. A friend took the picture five months before his death due to an accidental drug overdose. He was the youngest son of Billie Owens.

Bright Futures Genesee is holding its inaugural Remembrance & Hope event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, at Genesee County Park & Forest.

You are invited to this special time to remember loved ones we have lost as well as to share hope for those in recovery.

"There's so much meaness out there, and shame," said Bright Futures Director Sue Gagne. "We wanted to do something where people can share their pain and feel supported. We want to give people hope."

Individuals, friends, family members and allies of recovery are welcome.

Walk through the park, reflect, and enjoy live music.

Feel free to bring a picture of your friend or loved one to share with others and remember.

For your comfort, you are welcome to bring a lawn chair.

The 2018 Remembrance & Hope event will be based at Pavilion B on Raymond Road. The county park is located at 11095 Bethany Center Road in East Bethany.

For more information, please contact via email:   info@brightfuturesgenesee.org

The song below, John Prine's "Summer's End," was first announced on its creator's Facebook page on Feb. 8, 2018 -- the day Chuck turned 35. It was performed at Chuck's funeral service overlooking the coastal City of San Buenaventura one month later, on March 8.