Friends of Rogers signs extended 20-year use and occupancy agreement

In 2018, Friends of Rogers is celebrating Rogers Environmental Education Center’s 50th anniversary with signature programs throughout the year.

Along with this milestone, Friends of Rogers is pleased to announce that an extended 20-year Use and Occupancy Agreement has been signed with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This agreement authorizes Friends of Rogers to continue its environmental and educational mission through the management of programs and operations at Rogers Center.

Beginning in 1968, Rogers Center was a fully-funded, state-operated education center until it was closed in December 2010 after a reduction in state Department of Environmental Conservation staffing and budgets. In April 2011, Friends of Rogers signed the first 10-year use and occupancy agreement with the DEC.

Since that time, overall Visitor Center attendance has grown to reach nearly 15,000 annual guests. This includes School Field Trips, which reach children in more than 30 communities. Early childhood initiatives bring hundreds of preschoolers and caregivers to Rogers Center. Free annual community festivals are seeing record attendance. Day camp programs, offered during school vacations, bring more than 200 children to property for hands-on environmental education and socialization opportunities.

In 2016, the Visitor Center lobby was extensively renovated, with exhibit space redesigned to enhance educational components and higher-quality learning experiences.

Named Commerce Chenango’s 2016 Business of the Year, Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center is a great source of community pride and a regional tourist and vacation destination. A vital educational resource for schools and families and a welcoming and accessible environment for people of all ages, socio-economic backgrounds, race, religion, gender and abilities, Rogers Center is a beloved regional landmark. Serving a broad geographic area, Rogers Center attracts regular visitors from Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Otsego counties.

“We are inspired by this extended use and occupancy agreement with the DEC,” said Simon Solomon, executive director. “This recognition of the benefit to the public of cooperating in the continued stewardship in the operation of the Rogers Environmental Education Center provides a solid foundation for the future.”

Rogers Center is operated by Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for all ages. Seasonal hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

By martha

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