Children on a field trip learning about pond ecology at Rogers Center. (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE – Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center was awarded an $80,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to create an environmental educator position who will develop, lead, and organize educational programming for students, youth, families, and special interest groups, with an emphasis on adults and seniors. Friends of Rogers will have to raise an additional $20,000 in matching funds, for a project total of $100,000, over two years.

The grant is one of 27 awards totaling $900,000 for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York’s state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities.

Friends groups — nonprofit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers — are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants are administered by Parks and Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Parks and Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin said, "With more and more people discovering the outdoors, and visitation to our parks, trails, and public lands soaring, the need for strong public/public partnerships has never been greater. The Park and Trail Partnership Grants help bolster the role of Friends groups in these vital partnerships."

“The support Friends of Rogers has received over the years from Parks and Trails New York and the Environmental Protection Fund continues to be paramount toward the success of the Rogers Center. It’s a beautiful thing when likeminded individuals, community members and organizations come together to support environmental education at such a critical time," said Friends of Rogers Executive Director Simon Solomon. “The successful hiring of an environmental educator is mission critical to Friends of Rogers, and we look forward to successfully expanding upon our environmental education offerings as soon as possible. We appreciate New York State’s strong commitment to the continued funding of public lands."

Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for people of all ages, in person and on Zoom. Friends of Rogers hosts hikes, events, Nature’s Nursery, Storytime and Hike, and many seasonal adventures such as paddle trips and cross country ski and snowshoe lessons.

The mission of the Friends of Rogers is to provide outstanding educational opportunities that excite, inspire, and motivate people of all ages to enjoy, understand, appreciate, and protect our natural environment.

Summer hours of the Visitor Center are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sundays, other times by appointment.

To view a list of all Round 7 awardees, please visit www.ptny.org/our-work/support/park-trail-partnership-program/awardees

More information on Park and Trail Partnership Grants can be found at www.ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583.

-Information provided by Friends of Rogers