Watching Birds & Collecting Shoes at Madison County Nature Center

Canastota's Great Swamp Conservancy runs year round programs, which are a chance to see all kinds of animals, birds and plants in its 36-thousand acres on the southeast shore of Oneida Lake. The 22 year old Center ---on swamp land that was originally drained for 'muck' agriucultural land, is being restored to its original state. It's been designated an Important Bird Area.

The next viewing event comes up early next Saturday (February 23rd) 6:30 to 9:30am, with 'guided' bird watching and bagels from inside the center's main office, for $3/person. Conservation educator Brianne Wilcox tells us its one of many family-oriented programs, inside or out. The center also has skis, to check out many trails in wintertime.

Like many not for profits, fundraising is a continuing effort. This year, Great Swamp Conservancy is doing a shoe drive, looking for donations of pairs of gently used or new shoes, to be turned over to Funds2Orgs, an Orlando based company that distributes the donations to micro-businesses in developing countries to be refurbished or deconstructed and recycled. (the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse did a similar shoe drive last year) . The Conservancy's goal is to collect 25-hundred pairs of shoes by March 14th. Dropoffs are welcome at the Center, also at libraries in Canastota, Oneida or Bridgeport, and Madison County YMCAs.

More information: www.greatswampconservancy.org