SHERBURNE – With support from the not-for-profit group, Friends of Rogers Inc., the popular wildlife and nature education center located between Sherburne and Smyrna on state Rt. 80 will re-open next Thursday.

Rogers Environmental Education Center, founded in 1968, was closed in January following state budget cutting decisions made last year. While grounds and trails have been accessible, visitors, school and youth groups have not been able to visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation facility.

Rogers will be open to the public three days a week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Friends group is still determining the hours of operation and hope to expand the number of days in the future, according to a press release from the group.

New full-time coordinator Cara Sefchick, a former intern at Rogers, will operate the environmental education center and coordinate programming and school visits.

“She brings experience and tremendous energy to the center during this period of transition as FOR assumes responsibility for program,” the press release stated.