__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the Canals Montezuma Kayak Adventures

Fridays & Saturdays in July and August at 10am & 2pm 

Join Montezuma Audubon Center for an inclusive, accessible, 1-mile paddle on the Erie Canal to explore the birds, other wildlife and their unique habitats. The nearby forests and wetlands are teeming with birds like the Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfisher. The summer months are a great time to experience these birds as they care for their young and prepare for the autumn migration. Solo kayaks, personal floatation devices, paddles, binoculars, bird guides and adaptive equipment will be provided. This is a free, family-friendly excursion for ages 12 and older. Meet us at Rivers Crossing Campground and Marina, 508 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146. Registration is required.

This program is funded by the New York State Canal Corporation.

• Fee: FREE
• Registration is required
• This program is ages 12+, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• No previous kayak experience necessary! 

Please email montezuma@audubon.org or call (315) 365-3588 with any questions. 

To register, please select the date you wish to participate and complete the registration form.

 July Dates:

Saturday, July 13 at 10am- SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 13 at 2pm- SOLD OUT

Friday, July 19 at 10am- SOLD OUT

Friday, July 19 at 2pm- SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 20 at 10am - SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 20 at 2pm- SOLD OUT

Friday, July 26 at 10am- SOLD OUT

Friday, July 26 at 2pm- SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 27 at 10am- SOLD OUT

Saturday, July 27 at 2pm- SOLD OUT

August Dates:

Friday, August 2 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 2 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 3 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 3 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 9 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 9 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 10 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 10 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 16 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 16 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 17 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 17 at 2PM - SOLD OUT

Friday, August 23 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 23 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 24 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 24 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 30 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Friday, August 30 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 31 at 10AM- SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 31 at 2PM- SOLD OUT

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn How to Use iNaturalist and BioBlitz

Saturday, July 13 at 1PM

Have you ever wanted to contribute to a large-scale community science project? Join a Montezuma Audubon Center educator to learn how to use iNaturalist and their identification app, Seek. Participants will watch a short presentation on how to use both apps, and then head outside for a bioblitz. During the bioblitz, participants will use their newfound skills to track the species they identify and submit them to a database for researchers to use. Enjoy a summer Saturday outdoors when wildlife is abundant. Participants must have “iNaturalist” and “Seek by iNaturalist” downloaded prior to the start of the event. Both apps can be found on the Apple App Store or on the Google Play Store.

Per iNaturalist's terms and conditions, this program is open to anyone over the age of 13. Children between the ages of 13 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This program will take place at the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, New York).

•  Fee: $7.50/ Teen, $10/Adult, $30/Family.
• Children between the ages of 13 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Space is limited and registration is required.

Please call (315)365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with any questions. 

Register Here!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Plants for Birds & Kids! With Port Byron Library

Wednesday, July 13, 2024 at 3pm

Are you or your child interested in learning about the environment? Want to introduce your child to gardening techniques and the benefits of gardening? Join an Audubon educator at the Port Byron Library to learn all things plants for birds; what flowers birds and pollinators are attracted to, and how you can help the environment from your own backyard!

We will go through a presentation on Audubon’s Plants for Birds initiative and have a variety of hands-on activities and crafts for children to do. We will create seed bombs with native wildflower seeds, plant seeds to take home, and have participants create their own pretend flower bouquet. With these wonderful activities, participants will understand all the Monetezuma Audubon Center and Wetlands Complex does to help conserve habitat that supports a variety of bird species. 

Please note: This program will take place at the Port Byron Library (12 Sponable Drive Port Byron, NY 13140).

• Fee: FREE for all ages, no registration required
• Please plan to arrive 5 minutes early to use the restroom and get checked in. 
• Please call (315) 365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with any questions

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pollinator Walk

Wednesday, July 24 at 4PM

Pollinators are some of the wetland's tiniest creatures, but they are some of the most important for providing a suitable habitat for birds. Without pollinators, our native plants would not be able to provide bird habitat, our farmers would not be able to grow food, our gardens would not be able to flourish, and our world would look very different. Join a Montezuma Audubon Center educator to learn more about the different species that pollinate our native plants on this one mile walk.

This program is open to all ages and families. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We will meet at the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, New York) and our walk will be on a trail behind the center. 

• Fee: $7.50/ Child, $10/ Adult, $30/ Family.
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Space is limited and registration is required.

Please call (315)365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with any questions.

Register Here!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Summer Day of Play

Wednesday, August 14 from 10AM to 4PM

Are you looking for a fun way to spend a day during the end of summer? Children ages 9-12 are invited to come to Montezuma Audubon Center for a full day of play! We will be playing fun nature games, going for birding walks, making crafts, conducting science experiments, and learning all about birds and wetlands. Dropoff will be at 10AM with pickup at 4PM.

Parents MUST fill out our health and safety form as well as our code of conduct form which will be sent to you upon registering. If these forms are not filled out, your child will not be able to participate in the program. This program will take place at Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, New York). Upon arrival staff will ask for the name of the guardian picking the child up. This individual will be asked to show an ID upon pickup. Please call (315)365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with any questions.

•  Fee: $35/ Child
• Space is limited and registration is required.

Register Here!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Let's Go Birding Together Excursions

Select dates throughout the summer

Let's Go Birding Together is a guided walk that is for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQ, allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor experience that is inclusive. To kick off Pride month and the season of warm weather and fun adventures, we are beginning our summer of Let's Go Birding Together excursions. The Montezuma Audubon Center is excited to welcome you to a variety of guided birding walk and boating experiences. 

Guided Birding Walks!

Our guided birding walk excursions will be 1-2 mile long leisure walks on even terrain. Dates below will indicate location of walks and if there are any steep inclines to be made aware of. The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is full with songbirds, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets throughout the summer and we want to welcome everyone to enjoy this beautiful habitat we work to conserve for the birds! Binoculars will be provided for our excursions. All ages are welcome to attend.

• Fee: $10/adult, $7.50/child, $30/family
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• Registration is required. To register, please click on the date you want to attend below and complete the registration form

Guided Birding & Boating!

Launching from Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina (508 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146), kayakers will experience the wetlands habitats of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex! No prior kayaking experience is required as we will be going over basic strokes and paddling techniques before getting in the water. Participants are welcome to bring their own kayak and gear but are also welcome to rent from us and use our gear. Binoculars will be provided to see the Great Blue Herons elegantly taking off, Bald Eagles soaring above, and Osprey perched in the surrounding trees.

Our paddling excursions will be around a half mile at a leisure pace. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. While we do not have small child kayaks, our adult kayaks can be adjusted for ages 13+. Registration is required. Please email montezuma@audubon.orgor call (315) 365-3588 with any questions.

• Fee: $30/adult with rental, $20/adult without rental, $25/child (13+) with rental, $15/child without rental
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• Registration is required. To register, please click on the date you want to attend below and complete the registration form

Birding Walk Dates & Registration:

August 8- Montezuma Audubon Center- even terrain through grass and ston-dust path trails with one incline

August 22- South Spring Pool Trail- even terrain on grass trail

Birding & Boating Dates & Registration:

August 15- Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina

__________________________________________________________

Montezuma Guided Birding Van Tours

Call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions. 

To make your reservation, click the date you want to join us for a birding tour and complete the registration form. 

Thursday, August 22 at 2PM

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

End of Summer Hike

Wednesday, August 28 at 5PM

Wave goodbye to summer with a guided birding hike! We will see some of our late summer blooms, such as purple coneflower and New York ironweed, and see some of our warbler species before they begin their long journey south for the fall and winter. We may also see more year round species such as the Bald Eagle, Mallard, and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair of ours!

This program is open to all ages and families. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We will meet at the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, New York) and will walk on one of our trails behind the center. 

• Fee: $7.50/Child, $10/ Adult, $30/ Family
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Space is limited and registration is required.

Please call (315)365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with any questions.

Register Here!

Private Birding Tours—Reconnect with Nature at Montezuma

Enjoy a unique bird-watching tour of the 50,000-acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex! These outings are a great way to catch up with family members, close friends, or co-workers, and experience the birds, other wildlife, and habitats that make Montezuma an Audubon Important Bird Area. Choose from driving tours, birding walks, canoeing/kayaking excursions, and snowshoeing hikes. All tours are led by National Audubon Society staff and include equipment rentals, binoculars, and bird guides.

For driving tours, you will follow behind the Audubon van in your own vehicle to Montezuma’s marshes, forests, and grasslands to explore several birding hotspots and the abundant wildlife as they go about their activities. Participants will receive a conference call phone number to hear the Audubon educator narrate the tour and ask questions between stops. Guests are welcome to get out of their vehicles at each stop (facial coverings required and physical distancing guidelines must be followed).

• Fee: $150
• Available year-round for groups of up to 10 people
• To plan and reserve your customized tour, call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org

Testimonial

"The highlight of our visit to the Finger Lakes region was the private bird watching tour through the Montezuma Audubon Center. Since it was only my immediate family and the tour guide, it was the perfect COVID-friendly event for our vacation. The tour guide met us at the Audubon Center, lent out sanitized binoculars, and explained what type of birds we were planning to see. We then followed the Audubon Center van in our own car and were able to communicate with the tour guide using a conference line throughout the drive. We made four stops and at each stop, we had the opportunity to ask questions while bird watching. My kids, ages 5 & 8, and my parents in their late 70's enjoyed it as much as I did. We were lucky enough to see a Bald Eagle within close range and saw several circling in the distance. We also learned about waterfowl and spotted several species. My kids couldn't wait to get home and tell my husband all about their adventures of bird watching, while my parents were quick to post their bald eagle photos on social media. The tour guide had proper masking and distancing throughout the entire two and a half hour event. I highly recommend that anyone, regardless of age, consider this for their next Finger Lakes vacation." —Hadas Liebermann (Kingston, NY)

Public Program Cancellation/Reimbursement Policy:

• If the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) cancels an event for any reason, we will initiate a full reimbursement to your original method of payment.
• If you need to cancel your registration for an event, please call or email the MAC at 315-365-3588 or montezuma@audubon.org at your earliest convenience.
• If you cancel more than seven days before the event, we will initiate a reimbursement minus a 10% administrative fee, to your original form of payment.
• No reimbursements are issued for cancellations received less than a week before the date of the event.