Erie County Earth Science Day

Earth Science Day turns 21 on Saturday October 6! Join us from 9 am to 4 pm, rain or shine, to learn about Western New York’s natural history, ecology, and resources through interactive exhibits and demonstrations in a family-friendly setting. Experience hands-on learning under the big tent from groups like The Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, Hamburg Library, Reinstein Woods, SUNY Buffalo Geology Department, Past & Present Rock Shop, and many more.

There is no charge for admission. Thanks to a generous donation, the first 210 children to arrive will receive complimentary fossil collecting trowels.

For those interested in learning more about natural resources, our friends at Earth Dimensions will demonstrate the operation of a drill rig during the event. Plus — stick around or return for a fall stargazing program.

New This Year: The Cass Project brings two art programs to Penn Dixie on Earth Science Day! “Eco-Printing” with Emma Percy will be added to our exhibitor tent. This drop-in workshop will explore a variety of simple techniques for making prints and drawings with plants. Using inks and the pigments within the plants themselves, each visitor can create a unique piece of artwork to take home with them.

Separately, our inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Bonnie Rush, will offer guided tours of her Trilobite Labyrinth project at 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm. Tours — which require a 1/4 mile round trip hike — will originate at the Cass Project table under the big tent.

Thanks to the generous support of Erie County and our sponsors, Earth Science Day is FREE to ALL. All ages welcome. This event is accessible to those with mobility impairments and we recommend the use of a reach tool for fossil collecting.

Penn Dixie members may present their membership cards to receive a special thank you gift at the event.

Teachers: Download our Earth Science Day Flyer or contact us in advance to schedule your group. There is no charge for unguided group tours on Earth Science Day but we request advance notice to help with our parking planning. Guided group tours are available at our usual rates.

This FREE event is made possible by Erie County, The Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists, Applus+ Services, Earth Dimensions, The Buffalo Zoo, 3rd Rock LLC, Ronald McDonald House Charities of WNY, and Ecology and Environment. Additional sponsorship and donations are welcome through the day of the event and will support Penn Dixie’s community education efforts.

2018 Exhibitors Include:

• Applus Services
• Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens
• Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists
• Buffalo Geological Society
• Buffalo Zoo
• Cass Project
• Climate Summit Team, NYS Master Teacher Program
• Cradle Beach
• Earth Dimensions, Inc.
• Ecology & Environment
• Hamburg Library
• Lloyd Taco Trucks
• New York State Parks
• Past & Present Rock Shop
• Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
• Penn Dixie
• Stone Industry Research
• SUNY Buffalo Graduate Geology Club
• Ten Thousand Vines
• Town of Hamburg Department of Youth, Recreation, & Senior Services