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.