1 hour guided trail rides through the forest, weather permitting.

On Thursdays, Beaver Lake Nature Center is offering weekly Nature On Wheels tours. Nature On Wheels features the NOWmobile, a  new electric tram that helps connect seniors with mobility limitations to the fascinating natural areas of Beaver Lake. Accompanied by a naturalist, the NOWmobile will travel slowly through the forest, stopping occasionally to take a closer look at interesting features of nature.

Join a Beaver Lake Naturalist to learn more on a Natural History subject. 

September 23    Fruits & Nuts
September 30    Trees With Leaves
October 7          Fall Waterfowl Migration
October 14        Beavers & Their Relatives
October 21        Fungus
October 28        Nests & Their Builders
November 11     Twig Identification
November 18     White-tailed Deer
November 25     Vines & Brambles
December 2       Backyard Feeder Birds

Everyone is invited to the Zoo Sundays from September 28-December 14 for reduced admission: $3 adults; $2 children, students & seniors (Regular admission:$6.50 adults; $4.50 students & seniors; $4 children).

Don't miss the migratory waterfowl and other migratory birds as they stop by the Nature Center on their way to their winter residence. Bring binoculars or check out a pair of ours.

With the arrival of fall, the trees will be bursting with brilliant colors. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, sausage and beverage (regular pancakes are also available.)

3 pancakes - $4.50

2 pancakes - $3.50

1 pancake - $2.50

Includes sausage, juice or coffee

Mission Wolf of Silver Cliff, Colorado has evolved from a very remote sanctuary for wolves and wolf-dog hybrids, into a leading nationwide force supporting wolf education and captive wolf welfare. One or two live ambassador timber wolves will provide the finale. Seating is limited.

In addition to the 3 pm show, there will be a special showing at 6 :00 p.m. where only 50 seats will be sold.  This show will give the viewers an upclose encounter with the wolves as well as the opportunity to meet with Kent Weber at a reception after the event.  The price is $50.

The Upstate Herpetological Association UHA will host this one-day exhibition. UHA members will display a wide variety of animals and can answer your questions about reptiles, amphibians and their care.

A holiday should be packed with fun! At 12:30 & 3pm, naturalists will host live animal talks and at 1:30pm you can participate in a guided walk on migration and whatever else the season offers. Plan to spend some time on your own walking Beaver Lake's trails while they are decked out in fall colors.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

The great Zoo Boo will take place at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park on October 17, 18, 24 & 25 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The zoo will be transformed into a bustling Halloween bash with hauntingly hilarious interactive characters and sets for children and families to enjoy. Its “kooky not spooky” theme provides families with Halloween fun without the fear!

Coordinated by Scarlett Rat Entertainment, families will have fantastic fun with interactive characters like Franki and Wolfie. They are also able to explore the Wizard's Walkway and a hay bale maze, visit Zoo Boo’s Creepy Corners Crew and play in Scarecrow Alley!   All of the four Zoo Boo evenings hold tons of fun in store and children receive a goodie as they exit the zoo!

Children and adults can participate in the pumpkin carving fun and enter the Zoo Boo carved pumpkin contest, which will take place on the Saturday evenings of Zoo Boo!

Families bring their already carved pumpkins to the zoo at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 and 25 and a Zoo Boo character will choose one child and one adult winner with the best carved pumpkin. The winners receive a fun Zoo Boo prize, a special treat and will even lead the Pumpkin Procession at the start of Zoo Boo! All pumpkins entered in the contest remain on display for all to enjoy.

Tickets are available at the Zoo's membership desk and participating P&C locations.  Advance sale member discounts are only available at the Zoo and must be purchased during regular Zoo hours, prior to

the event.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Beaver Lake and the Onondaga Woodcarvers Club bring together this area’s finest wood carving talents for an annual offering of their best works.

Good books, good people, and good conversation; what could be a better way to spend an afternoon?  Join us for our monthly book discussion.  The selected books are available at the local library. 

October 21 – Into the Wild by J. Krakauer
November 19 – Reason for Hope by J. Goodall

Experience the enchantment of Beaver Lake and halloween fun like never before! Where over four hundred jack-o-lanterns and luminaria light your way along two trails as you venture through the darkness.  Everything is magical and nothing is scary.  Face painting, fortune telling, and treats will also be part of this special night.Hotdogs, donuts and cider will be available to purchase.

Please call if you are interested in helping to carve pumpkins or if you would like to donate a jack-o-lantern.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Orienteering program for all skills levels and age groups.

Onondaga County Parks and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo are pleased to offer FREE admission to all active military, veterans and their families as part of Onondaga County’s observance of Veterans Day.

Please present military or veteran organization ID cards or military discharge documents or wear your uniform for verification for complimentary Veterans Day access to the Zoo.

Listening to stories and exploring nature are two activities that most children enjoy. A naturalist will read stories to children ages three to five, and lead them on a walk to experience what the season has to offer.

If you are in 5th – 7th grade and you enjoy being outside and learning about nature then this club is for you!  The club meets on Saturdays for 4 two-hour meetings and one overnight meeting this fall.  September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 & 15

Invite holiday guests and Christmas cheer through your front door with your handmade evergreen wreath. Just smelling the fresh boughs will put you in the proper spirit! The price includes boughs, wire and a bow.

November 17, 18, 20 & 25 - 6pm

November 22 - 1pm

November 24-9am

Good books, good people, and good conversation; what could be a better way to spend an afternoon?  Join us for our monthly book discussion.  The selected books are available at the local library.

November 19 – Reason for Hope by J. Goodall

Orienteering program for all skill levels and age groups. Prizes awarded.

A two mile long drive through light extravaganza featuring life-size displays, themed sections and a memorable grand finale.

Once again the museum will be filled with the magnificent collection of international Santa's while fully decorated trees will add to the holiday atmosphere celebrating the traditions of the season in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia and more. The program will feature nightly holiday entertainment and hot beverages available with the mission site open weather permitting.

For busy parents looking for a safe place to bring their children the day after Thanksgiving, Wild Friday is the perfect solution. This new program offers kids an opportunity to get out of the house, tour the zoo, see animals up close, play games and make awesome crafts.

Spend the evening creating this beautiful balsam, kissing ball, accented with red ribbon and bow. A wonderful addition to your holiday decorating.

The old-fashioned Christmas tree is back in style with its wonderfully diverse assortment of handmade and hand-me-down ornaments. Join us to make your own ornaments utilizing natural materials or motifs.

Come and enjoy a buffet meal with the jolly ole' elf. Share last minute holiday wishes with Santa and see the Zoo! Children will also be able to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus.

Breakfast 10-11am

Lunch 12:30-1:30pm

Be spotted at one of the Zoo's premier fundraising events. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner. Enjoy live music provided by Dan Elliot and and the Monterays. Participate in a live auction and silent auction. Black and white attire encouraged.Proceeds of the event benefit the programs and services of the Zoo.

Win great prizes and have wintry fun as you become a Central New York wildlife photographer. The Zoo will be accepting photo entries from children ages 5-12, teen ages 13-18 and adult ages19+ amateur photographers taken between January 10 and February 1, 2009. Complete contest rules at the the Zoo's website below. Awards ceremony will be held on Friday, February 13, 2009.

Join us as we hand out awards for our third annual Winter at the third annual Winter at the Zoo photo contest. See this year's winning entries up close and personal!

Get the kids out of the house and come to the Zoo! Carts with various animal artifacts will allow visitors to feel the fur of a tiger or see how big an elephant's tusk really is. Puppet shows are sure to keep the kids entertained, while keeper talks will provide insight as to what happens behind the scenes. These hands-on experiences are fantastic learning tools and fun for the whole family. For those who prefer to stay out of the cold, 60 percent of the Zoo's exhibits are indoors.

Did you know that some animals have a sweet tooth? This Valentine's Day weekend the staff at the Zoo will be showing the love to the Zoo's residents by providing them with animal-friendly sweet treats and other valentine-inspired items.

Winter is a great time to visit the zoo! Full and half day camp sessions will offer up close encounters with some of the animals, tours, crafts, games and more! Each day the camp topic will be different; kids can come for the day or the entire week.

Hop on over to the zoo and enjoy a buffet meal with spring's most popular animal - the bunny! Join us for an hour full of food and fun. Each child receives a treat from the bunny. Breakfast is from 10-11am; Lunch is from 12:30-1:30pm.

Children (up to age 15) get in free from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. to participate in the Y94 FM Easter Egg hunt.  After the hunt, animals throughout the zoo will receive egg and egg-shaped items to enjoy.