Apple Growers and Wayne County Tourism, invite the public to come out to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour! Throughout the month of October, take a self guided tour along Wayne County’s Apple Trail to experience the scenic country roads and amazing fall foliage.

This year, there are twelve stops along the tour where you can pick fresh apples, admire the fall colors, and enjoy time together. With activities ranging from corn mazes and tractor rides to wine and cider tastings, this is a month-long event that the whole family will love!
October 7-10 is the special Tasting Weekend with extra events and activities. Follow this event on Facebook or appletastingtour.com to get the details.

Visit these 12 stops throughout October:
Apple Town Farm Market
Doyle Farms Market Café & Creamery
Lagoner Farms & Embark Craft Ciderworks
Long Acre Farms & JD Wine Cellars
Morgan’s Farm Market
Orbaker’s Farm Market
Stonegoose Market & Cidery
Rootstock Ciders & Spirits
The Apple Farm Stand at Stone Goose Farms
The Apple Shed & Old Goat Cidery
Young Sommer Winery
Youngman Orchards Farm Market
Hours may vary, please check with each stop for current hours.

Please note that the location listed is the office location that coordinates the tour. Tour stop addresses can be found on appletastingtour.com

The Muckrace is a “Big Day” birding competition within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.Teams of some of the best birders as well as novice birders from across New York State and beyond, compete in the 24-hour event to see how many species they can identify. In addition to providing some good fun and excitement, the Muckrace raises money to support avian research and conservation within the Montezuma Wetlands complex.

For more information and registration visit: https://friendsofmontezuma.org/projects-programs/muckrace/

Bats of New York Friday, August 26th 7 PM – 9 PM
To register: https://act.audubon.org/a/bats-new-york
NYSDEC Wildlife Biologist Christina Hoh will be leading us through an educational evening of learning all about the bats that call New York State their home. We’ll learn what they eat if they migrate or hibernate, and that they’re not an animal to be afraid of. The program will begin indoors with a presentation detailing the nine species of bats found in NY. Once darkness falls, we’ll head outside for a short hike and demonstration of some of the technical equipment used to survey different bat species. Bring a flashlight and insect repellent! Long sleeves and pants may be desired as well.
-Fee: $5/child, $10/adult, $30/family.
-Suitable for all ages!
Space is limited and pre-paid online reservations are required.
Call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.

Audubon continues to take necessary precautions to reduce COVID spread, but no public activity can be 100 percent safe. We ask anyone who is feeling unwell or who has had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 to not participate in any in-person program until the risk for infection has passed.
Program Cancellation/Reimbursement Policy:
If the MAC cancels an event, we will initiate a full reimbursement.
If you need to cancel registration for an event, you must call or email the MAC at (315) 365-3588 or montezuma@audubon.org
If you cancel more than a week before the event, we will initiate a reimbursement minus a 10% administrative fee, or credit you for a future event.
No reimbursements are issued for cancellations received less than a week before the date of the event.
Bats flying at night. Photo: Stuart Anthony/Flickr

Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Wayne County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs are pleased to announce the 25th Wayne County Youth Fishing Derby for anglers ages 4-16. The event runs June 17th-July 29th, 2022 and covers the waters in Wayne County. 

Responsible local conservation recreation is a crucial part of continuing to help New Yorkers stay active and a great way to spend time with immediate household and family members while building lasting memories of having that “FISH ON”. Social distancing and masks encouraged.

REGISTER FOR THE YOUTH DERBY

New this year, Jarvis Bait in Wolcott along with Grantley Bait and Tackle in Ontario will be weigh in stations. ALL stores sell bait are a perfect way to expand fishing opportunities on the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario west. Other stations are Krenzer Marine, Hughes Marina, Davenports, and Bay Bridge bait shops.

The Youth Derby is designed as three tournaments in one.
• AL SHULTZ MEMORIAL CHALLENGE is for youth ages 4-7 years of age. Anglers compete to catch the most pan-fish; Blue Gill, Perch, Rock Bass, Sun Fish, Largemouth bass OR smallmouth bass. Although the fish, other than perch do not need to be weighed anglers must complete a fish entry form.
• MERCHANTS CHALLENGE is for youth anglers ages 8-16 and is considered the “Grand Slam” – Catch all 5 of shallow-water species Perch, Walleye, Largemouth bass, Northern pike & Smallmouth bass. The angler’s cumulative weight of all five wins.
• SPECIES CHALLENGE is open to all entrants. In this derby, anglers compete to catch the largest fish in any of the 5 species: Perch, Walleye, Largemouth, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass

The entry fee is $5.00. Prizes will consist of merchandise and trophies. The prize structure is based on the number of registered entrants.

The District will be accepting payments by cash or check, registrations are being taken online and paid using any major credit card. The entrant’s registration number is generated at checkout. ( click here to register online)

Thank you to all the businesses and clubs in Wayne County that support this great youth fishing opportunity: Nancy Wilkes of McDonald’s in Wayne County,  PJ Unisex Salon, Lyons National Bank, Franklyn House Tavern, Zip N’ Zin Charters, Lyons Veterinary Clinic, Sodus Rotary, Katlynn Marine, Rubinos on the Bay, Ashley Insurance, Fowler Marine, Clingerman Taxidermy, Dynalec Corporation, Patons Sodus Market, Humbert Farms, KC Baily Orchards, Johnson Forest Management, V&C Development, Lake Breeze Orchards, Farm Bureau of Wayne County, Ely & Leene Insurance, JJs Hot Dogs, Mack’s Auto Joey’s Northside Grocery, Termatec Molding Inc, Cornerstone Reality, Finger Lakes Aquaculture, David and Sue Williamson, Sodus Bay Sportsman Club, Wayne County Tourism, Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District, Wayne County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, and of course, all the bait and weigh stations.

Participants will enter fish personally caught only in the Wayne County, NY in the waters of Lake Ontario (1/2 mile west of Ginna Plant and east to Blind Sodus Bay) and its embayments; the waters of the Erie Canal and streams located in Wayne County, NY in accordance with all NYS Department of Conservation Fishing Rules and Regulations. Participants must have a valid NYS fishing license unless exempt by law.
The Derby Awards Banquet, sponsored by McDonald’s of Wayne County is on August 7th, 2022 at the Sodus Bay Sportsmen Club in Sodus Point, where prizes and trophies will be awarded. The Federation of Sportsmen Club and the District are working out ways to practice social distancing but still provide awards and prizes to youth anglers.

To register for the Youth Derby visit https://waynecountynysoilandwater.org/youth-derby/

New York Invasive Species Awareness Week! (June 6th-June12th)
Invasive species are our specialty, so we have a few events going on to help you celebrate this year’s NY Invasive Species Awareness Week! Taking place from Monday, June 6th to Saturday, June 12th, this is the perfect opportunity to get outside and take a look at invasive species threatening ecosystems in the Finger Lakes region. Whether you want to be on the trail or on the water, we’ve got something for you. Check out what we’ve got going on near you, and register now!