From 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, January 1, get outdoors and ring in the new year at Rogers Environmental Education Center, located at 2721 State Route 80 in Sherburne. The First Day Hikes will take novice and experienced hikers alike along the scenic trails. (Photo by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)

SHERBURNE — The Rogers Environmental Education Center will celebrate the start of 2024 with their annual First Day Hikes from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, January 1, located at 2721 State Route 80 in Sherburne.

According to the Rogers Environmental website the guided walks are always free; no registration needed and can be for those looking for a workout or those interested in a stroll, enjoying the leisurely pace. There are six miles of trails to explore and snowshoes will be available if needed.

Rogers Environmental Educator Ellen Rathbone recently said the hikes are for all level skills and can be educational, depending on how large the group is and who the leader is.

Hikes can be a little over a mile and experienced hikers might take the Pine Ridge trail, which features inclined trails she said.

For the easier hike, Rathbone noted Channels Marsh Trail is about 1.5 miles.

"Dress for the weather. It's always best to be overdressed and shed a few layers than to be out there and the wind starts blowing and you’re freezing,” Rathbone said.

She said the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) promotes a lot of places. DEC state parks and the canal organizations are heavily involved and sponsor these first day hikes.

Rogers Center is New York State’s oldest environmental education center. New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation operated Rogers Center until 2010. In 2011, the Friends of Rogers, a private nonprofit organization, reopened Rogers Center to keep this regional treasure available to current and future generations.

For more information about Rogers Environmental Education Center and the First Day Hikes, visit FriendsofRogers.org or contact Ellen Rathbone at all (607) 674-4733 or email Ellen@friendsofrogers.org.