Conservation Education Center
Upcoming Events
Our river cruises and boat trips to Hiawatha Island are back! Use the calendar below to select your desired date and time. Also take a look through our regularly scheduled hikes and special events to plan your next outing. Please check back regularly for updates or follow us on social media for more frequent updates. Registration links can be found on the calendar or by scrolling through our event descriptions below.
River Cruises Are Back This Summer!!!
Fall Cruise Tickets are on Sale Now!!
Come be part of our tradition of celebrating the Susquehanna River and Hiawatha Island! Choose between morning or evening wildlife cruises or an afternoon excursion to Hiawatha Island for a historical tour. Don't miss your chance to enjoy one of these unique experiences while supporting conservation of this unique ecosystem!
Our boat is a 24-foot pontoon boat with a capacity of ten guests and two crew. Cruises depart from our landing at our Hiawatha Island and Riverfront Park on the western end of Marshland Road. Our property's entrance is the next driveway on the left after the Town of Owego boat launch and has a "Waterman Center Hiawatha Island and River Front Park" signpost. It can be easy to miss, so often the easiest way to get there is to copy these coordinates into your GPS choice: 42.083484, -76.202858 or search "Hiawatha Island and Riverfront Park" in google maps.
Use the Calendar Above or Click the "Choose Your Cruise" Button!
(You might need to choose from "other dates" under the "Time and Location" heading)
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Salamander Seminar and Stream Survey
at the Waterman Center
Spend a half day learning Broome & Tioga County’s salamanders — then wade in and count them!
Part I : Will consist of an indoor workshop learning about salamanders.
Part II: We will be working in teams to run a survey to ID and record the species in the stream at the Waterman Center. No experience needed, just boots that can get wet.
The event will be rain or shine (salamanders love the rain!). Sponsored by the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County and Waterman Conservation and Education Center.
Registration is required and limited to 12 participants. Due to limited capacity for this workshop, if you register, please COMMIT to coming. Thank you!
FREE for all participants , with a suggested $5 donation to the Waterman Center for hosting the workshop.
With the Naturalists' Club of Broome County
Saturday, September 26th
from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dani Collins Wood Presents: Wildlife Illnesses
at the Waterman Center
Tuesday, September 29th
from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us for a presentation by local wildlife rehabilitator Dani Collins Wood! This presentation will be on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 at the Waterman Center. Dani will be presenting Wildlife Illnesses. Get the latest info on the illnesses we are seeing in our wild friends in our backyards and at our bird feeders. There are simple ways we can help them and protect them as well as ourselves. This presentation will give you the things to look for, what is contagious to humans and pets and what you can do prevent it at your feeders and in your backyard.
Dani is a retired Elementary school teacher from Windsor who grew up enjoying wildlife and is passionate about helping others understand the importance of respecting all life and nature. She is a licensed NYS wildlife rehabilitator who runs a rehabilitation facility out of her home and does educational visits with ambassador animals in the community. She rehabilitated and released over 125 animals last year and is currently working towards her falconry license.
This program is free for Waterman Members and $5/person for the General Public
Fall Mushroom Walk
at the Waterman Center
Saturday, October 3rd
from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
As nature winds down for fall, the forest is alive with mushrooms at the Waterman Center!
Join naturalist Michelle to look for mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi, along the Waterman Center's trails. Rainy fall days create the perfect conditions for fungi to grow. We will look for and talk about a variety of fungi and their ecological roles in the forest.
Sturdy footwear is recommended, as trails may be muddy.
Registration is required and limited to 15 participants.
Location information:
Waterman Conservation Education Center
403 Hilton Rd
Apalachin, NY 13732
$5/person for non-members and FREE for Waterman Center members.
Brick Pond Morning Birding
Saturday, October 10th
from 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Celebrate fall bird migration at Brick Pond with Morning Birding!
This beginner-friendly birding program will primarily take place at our observation deck, with an optional walk along part of the trail around the pond to get closer views of more distant birds. Brick Pond is an excellent stopover wetland for migrating birds of all types, with potential visitors ranging from herons and various duck species to some migratory sparrows and late fall warblers.
Sturdy footwear is highly recommended as the trails may be muddy. Binoculars are recommended but not required, as we will have a spotting scope available to view distant birds from the observation platform. Morning temperatures may be chilly, so be sure to bring layers and warm clothing.
Registration is required, and limited to 15 participants.
Carpooling is encouraged as parking at this location is limited.
Brick Pond
546 E Front St
Owego, NY 13827
$5/person for non-members and FREE for Waterman Center members.
Fall Foliage Activity Day
at the Waterman Center
Saturday, October 17th
from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Why do leaves change color in the fall? What makes some leaves turn yellow or orange, but others turn dark red?
Learn all about the science behind fall leaves at Fall Foliage Activity Day! This event will include a short hike to collect some colorful leaves, then we will use those leaves to make fun fall crafts.
Registration is required and limited to 15 participants.
Waterman Conservation Education Center
403 Hilton Rd
Apalachin, NY 13732
$5/person for non-members and FREE for Waterman Center members. Children under 5 are free.