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News from the Genesee County Parks - July 2025

Junior ACORNS Protect Wildlife at the Genesee County Parks and at Home

What a busy Spring we had at the Genesee County Parks! We wanted to share a highlight from this season with our Junior ACORNS program. This program is brand new in 2025! Junior ACORNS are young people ages 7 - 16 who care about nature and want to make a difference. We are thrilled to have 23 wonderful Junior ACORNS and their families participating in this first year.

In April, the Junior ACORNS gathered at Genesee County Park & Forest for a day focused on wildlife and animal stewardship. We started by learning from the volunteers who monitor and maintain the Eastern Bluebird and Purple Martin nest boxes at the park. Junior ACORNS learned how to identify birds' eggs and nests. We cleaned out the boxes in preparation for the spring nesting season!

Volunteer Spotlight

At the Genesee County Parks volunteers make our work possible. We could not do what we do without them! This is our chance to say THANK YOU to the wonderful volunteers. 

Read the full article to learn more about two of our fantastic volunteers, George Squires and Julia Garver.

Ruby the Turtle Update

We are thrilled to provide an update in our turtle habitat enhancement project at the Interpretive Center. Our resident Red-eared slider turtle, Ruby, has lived at the Center since 2011, inspiring thousands of people over the years.

Read the article to learn more about our progress in building Ruby a new home!

An Unexpected Guest: Charlie the Moth

Last July, I had the fortunate “run-in” with North America’s largest native moth. Well, sort of – it was actually the caterpillar whom I found or who found me! I was trimming back my cherry tree at home and when I went to gather up the branches I stumbled upon the most beautiful caterpillar I had ever seen. Having never seen one like it before I searched the internet to see just what it was. To my surprise I learned I had found a cecropia moth caterpillar. Cecropia moth caterpillars are born black and grow to be green, with four reddish knobs and 16 yellow ones. Well, that was it for me – he was going to come home with me, for a little while anyway. In my home we tend to name things that we find out in the wild – so our caterpillar was given the name, Charlie the Cecropia Caterpillar.

Rex and the Genesee County Park Dog Patrol

Hi Park lovers! Rex here! Unfortunately, we were unable to include an episode of “Rex and the GCP Dog Patrol” cartoon in this newsletter, but rest assured, we are already working on one for the next issue! I’d like to fill the open space by introducing you to a few of the unsung heroes of the Genesee County Parks and my personal friends who keep the parks running and in great condition 52 weeks of the year. Eric, Steve, and Dave make up our amazing parks maintenance team! In addition to routine maintenance and upkeep, they are also plumbers, electricians, painters,mechanics, builders, and whatever the park needs at any given time! They also happen to keep dog treats in their truck but that has nothing to do with why I like them! Many of you have probably seen Dave, Steve, and Eric at the Genesee County Parks. You may have even interacted with them when you needed directions or assistance at your park pavilion. If you get a chance, tell them thank you for all that they do! But stay away from the treats, they’re only for me.

Welcome Summer Intern Michael Marchese! 

Greetings Y’all! I am Michael Marchese your 2025 intern for the Genesee County Park & Forest, helping out as their Environmental Education Assistant through the Student Conservation Association (SCA)/ AmeriCorps. From June until late August I can be found working at the Interpretive Nature Center, as well as around the Genesee County Park area and the DeWitt Recreation Area, helping or leading educational and recreational programs.

Upcoming Events

Guided Dog Walks

10:00am - 11:00am, Saturday, July 12th, August 2nd, September 6th at DeWitt Recreation Area 
Bring your best friend and join us for a guided dog walk at the park! This guided walk is great for socialization and healthy exercise! Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Current license or proof of rabies vaccination required. Aggressive dogs will not be allowed to participate. $5/dog. Proceeds benefit Volunteers for Animals. Register on our website.

Outdoor Learning Center Volunteer Workday

9:00am - 11:00am, Saturday, July 26th at Genesee County Park                                      Come volunteer at the Genesee County Park Interpretive Nature Center for the day & help us get the outdoor learning center in tip top shape! We’ll be weeding, mulching and various other tasks. All supplies will be provided. Learn more and register on our website: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Outdoor-Learning-Center-Volunteer-Workday

Music in the Park

6:30pm - 8:00pm, August 2nd at DeWitt Recreation Area
Enjoy a summer night with a free concert featuring the Batavia Swing Band! Meet us at Pavilion 2. Bring a lawn chair and your favorite people. First come, first served seating at picnic tables. This concert is FREE! Made possible by generous funding by the Association for Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces (ACORNS). Learn more on our website at www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Music-in-the-Park 

Junior ACORNS: Native Species at the Outdoor Learning Center

10:00am - 1:00pm, Saturday, August 16th at Genesee County Park                              Calling all park lovers and future naturalists! The ACORNS are the volunteer friends group at the Genesee County Parks! Together, we connect people with nature through outdoor learning, exploration and fun. You can join our mission by becoming a Junior ACORN! Visit our website to learn more and register today! Our August program will focus on native plants and ecosystems at Genesee County Park & Forest.

Summer Night Hike

7:30pm - 9:30pm, Friday, August 22nd at Genesee County Park
Explore the forest at night and enjoy the darkness and stars that accompany the New Moon. We’ll watch for fireflies, listen for owls, and hear katydids chirping. A short, easy paced walk along the trails will be followed by the chance to view stars through a telescope! Participants are welcome to bring camp chairs for the stargazing portion of the program. $5/person, $10/family. Meet at Interpretive Center. Learn more on our website at www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Summer-Night-Hike

Kayaking at DeWitt Recreation Area

10:00am - 12:00pm, Saturday, August 23rd and August 30th 
Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Recreation Area! Explore the lake by water and discover a new world. Meet at the boat launch. No experience needed, kayaking skills and safety lesson will be provided. Kayak, paddle, and PFD are available to borrow or bring your own. Ages 12 and up. Program fee is $15/person without kayak rental or $25/person with rental. Learn more and register on our website: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Kayaking-at-DeWitt-Recreation-Area

Watching Monarchs 

1:00pm- 3:00pm, Saturday, September 13th at Genesee County Park
Capture the last few days of summer with a visit to a butterfly meadow and a journey into their world! See how butterflies are tagged and released as part of a nation-wide Monarch Butterfly conservation project. Kids can explore the meadow with nets and bug catchers! Recommended for ages 4 and up! $5/person, $10/family. Meet at Interpretive Center. Learn more at www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Watching-Monarchs

Fall Wildflower Walk

1:00pm - 3:00pm, Saturday, September 20th at Genesee County Park 
Fall colors come from more than just the changing leaves! Join us for a walk to explore the beautiful wildflowers that give us purples, yellows, oranges and more each year. From goldenrods to asters we’ll identify the flowers that we find and discuss why they are important for our pollinators and ecosystems at the Genesee County Park! Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center. $5/person, $10/family. Learn more at: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Fall-Wildflower-Walk

Eco-Book Club

10:00am - 12:00pm, Saturday, September 27th at Genesee County Park 
We are creating a monthly book club where we will be reading & discussing both fiction & nonfiction nature centered books. Meet at the Interpretive Center starting at 10:00 am and will wrap up with a gentle hike through the park. Our first read is, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Books can be purchased at your local bookstore or borrowed from your local library. Learn more at: www.geneseeny.gov/Events/Eco-Book-Club

Save the date! Join the Genesee County ACORNS at the Run for the ACORNS on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, for their annual 5k and 10k fundraiser trail run / walk!  All proceeds benefit ACORNS, a non-profit 501(c)(3) "friends of the park" group that supports the Genesee County parks by connecting people with nature through outdoor learning, education and fun!

Visit our website to learn more

Questions? Contact the Conservation Education Program Coordinator at Claudia.Nusstein@geneseeny.gov or call 585-344-1122.