SHERBURNE – Last week the Chenango County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution “imploring” the Department of Environmental Conservation to keep the Rogers Educational Center in Sherburne open.
At the same time, the Friends of Rogers, a non-profit volunteer group also lobbying to restore funding, announced it was rescheduling its January Winter Living Celebration event because of the impending staffing cuts.
On Nov. 18, DEC officials confirmed Rogers and Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center in Dutchess County would be among those to close as the governor’s office attempts to save $250 million by laying off 898 state workers by the end of the year.
Friends of Rogers Vice President and spokeswoman Sharon Pelosi said the DEC had indicated it will close the Rogers Center’s Visitor’s Center, Bird Cabin and public restrooms by the end of the year, but will keep the grounds open to the public.
The center has six miles of hiking trails, but the state has warned it will no longer conduct any routine maintenance at the location past the Dec. 31 deadline, such as debris or snow removal, said Pelosi.
The lack of services has prompted the group to reschedule its annual Winter Living Celebration from Jan. 8 to Dec. 19.
“In light of DEC’s plans to close the Rogers Environmental Education Center on Dec. 31, the annual Winter Living Celebration has been moved from Saturday, January 8 to Sunday, December 19, 2010 in order to ensure access to the Visitor’s Center and restrooms,” stated Laurie Trotta, president of Friends of Rogers.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The Friends of Rogers invites everyone to come to Rogers on December 19 to show their support and appreciation for the Center and enjoy what may be the final Winter Living Celebration,” added Trotta.
Community organizations who wish to participate in the event are invited to contact the Friends at For13460@gmail.com.
“The public response to DEC’s announcement has been truly tremendous,” said Trotta. “People from all corners of the state have contacted us to voice their alarm at the loss of the Rogers Center. We are hopeful that the decision makers in Albany are responsive to the public concern and find a way to preserve the Center.”
Activities at the celebration include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides, a professional storyteller, tie fishing lessons with members of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, demonstrations of Native American skills, old time wood cutting and a DEC K-9 unit presentation.
Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Decker and Town of Sherburne Supervisor William Craine successfully offered an unopposed resolution to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday which called upon the state to restore funding.
Decker told the board the center was established in 1909 and was New York’s first game farm and the oldest in the United States.
“Since its inception, Rogers Center has provided invaluable environmental education to thousands, young and old alike, through school group tours, camper programs of the 70s and 80s and a wide variety of environment-based programs and events,” stated the resolution.
The document continues: “While the board understands first-hand the fiscal pressure faced by the State of New York, it contends the savings gained by the closing of Rogers Center are minuscule when compared to the State Budget or its current deficit, and whereas in the era of growing environmental awareness by New York’s citizens and governments, the closing of Rogers Center is a non sequitur.”
The resolution was forwarded to Gov. Paterson, Senator James L. Seward, Senator Thomas Libous, Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch, Assemblyman Peter Lopez and Acting DEC Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz.
A Facebook fan page called “Save Rogers Conservation Center” has grown to include more than 4,700 members since it was created. The page features hundreds of remarks from citizens and has coordinated a write-in campaign aimed at state officials to restore funding.