The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
MAKING A COMEBACK
Spring Migration Festival returns to Great Swamp Conservancy May 1
Canastota, N.Y. — People can once again enjoy the Great Swamp Conservancy’s annual Spring Migration Festival.
The festival will take place on May 1 and will be full of unique, downhome environmental and conservation exhibits and activities for all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Professional wildlife artists and crafters will be displaying and selling their wares.
People will also be able to shop there for that special Mother’ Day gift crafted by a local artist.
Guests can also take a guided bird walk at 10:30 a.m. with bird enthusiast and Master Naturalist, Steve Kinne, by meeting in the driveway in front of the office building (wear boots). Animals from the Utica Zoo will also attend the festivities with their animals from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Meet Mark Manske at 1- 3 p.m., owner of Adiron
dack Raptors and his educational birds for an exceptional opportunity to get up close and personal with birds of prey. Mark is a retired teacher and adjunct Professor of Paul Smiths College and author of many bird children’s books that will be available to purchase.
People in attendance can also catch the NYS Bluebird Society and Onondaga Audubon to answer birding questions and pick up avian information. Stop by and visit the Canastota Public Library’s Seed Exchange and GSC’S Natural Garden booth. Other community organizations that will participate are: Madison County Solid Waste Department, Wanderers’ Rest, Habitat Gardening of CNY, Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, Trout Unlimited, and the CNY Tick and Lyme Alliance. Pick out a Native Plant for your garden at the GSC booth.
New this year are “Eco Talks” held in the one-room schoolhouse. Guest speakers will give 15 to 30-minute environmental talks that are informative/educational. Scheduled at 11:4512:15 come and learn how to make beeswax paper to take the place of using saran/plastic wrap by Paula Kraft. All about honey bees will be presented at 1 -1:30 by Ken Boyce and at 1:45 Steve Kinne will tell you how to become a Master Naturalist.
Syracuse Sammy Music Award winner for 2022, Sydney Irving and the Mojo will also be on the GSC stage from noon to 2 pm performing great tunes. Children’s nature games and crafts will be available along a wetland creature’s area. A chicken BBQ will start at 11 a.m. til gone and Lady Bug Café will have fast foods as hot dogs, and hamburgers. Admission is $4 for adults and $1 got kids. Organizers noted how this is a major fundraiser for the GSC supporting our conservation efforts.
For more info email: greatswampconservancy@gmail.com or call 315-6972950