Welcome to the Friends of Sterling Nature Center

The Sterling Nature Center offers trails, programs, and events along the shore of Lake Ontario in Sterling, New York.

Explore miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows, or walk along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Join guided nature programs and seasonal events, discover local wildlife, and take part in hands-on activities for all ages. Whether you are visiting for a quiet walk or a family outing, there is always something to experience here.

Connecting people to nature through education, conservation, and community.

Things to Do at the Sterling Nature Center

Walk Our Trails, Wander Our Shores, Find Your Place in Nature

Open 7 days a week

9am to 4pm.

Interpretive Center Hours

Open 7 days a week

9 am to 4 pm

Nature Center trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Get lost in Nature Registration is open.

Learn More

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Inspiration 2026 such a wonderful day.

John McConnell and Kimo, Anna, and Tommy shared their music with us, while Charlie Itzin and Jim Pageborn shared poetry with visitors.

The Saltbox Smokehouse kept everyone well fed.

Our exhibitors and vendors included Frozen Ocean Apiaries, Lazy Dirt Wildflower Farm, Fox and Fae Yarn works, Chestnut Creek Farm, Bar Fly Creations, Susan Gateley, and Michelle Tarolli.

Mike Flanagan once again provided face painting for our visitors.

Connie, June, and Dianne kept the children's activities running, Matt took care of the front desk, and Helen and Marc handled the raffle.

A special thank you goes to our staff and Jon, our intern, for all the work that went into preparing for the event. The building and grounds looked great, and all of your hard work showed.

Thank you also to everyone who donated items, gift certificates, and services for our raffle. We had some wonderful donations this year, and we truly appreciate your generosity and support.

We are also grateful to our Inspiration 2026 sponsors: Chestnut Creek Farm, Chillson's Antiques, Custom Hardwood Lumber Co., E&V, Front Porch Gift Shop, Frozen Ocean Apiaries, Fulton Savings Bank, Green Planet, Hannibal Pharmacy, Lakeside Quality Building Products, Nathali's Farm Market & Supply, One Photo & The Main Street Emporium, Ontario Orchards, Fair Haven–Red Creek Rotary Club, Savannah Bank, N.A., South Shore Artisans, Stick & Rudder Public House, Sweets by Sarah, Sun Harvest, Dean Cummings, Wayuga Community Newspapers, Wood-Mizer, Murdock's Bicycles and Sports, The Village Inn in Fair Haven, North Coast Yoga, Universal Metalworks, and Warner Physical Therapy.

Every dollar raised from Inspiration will go toward new art and nature programming at the Sterling Nature Center.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended. We were treated to a day filled with music, art, nature, good food, great conversations, and a wonderful turnout.

Thank you also to Casey Cosgrove Tuthill for capturing the day through her photographs.We appreciate all of you and hope to see everyone again next year.