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Maple Syrup Season Brings Special Sweetness to ESF’s Heiberg Forest
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – March 18, 2026 – Miles of blue tubing weaving through the maples at Heiberg Forest signal the arrival of maple syrup season at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
The first taps went in Feb. 13 as temperatures warmed enough for the sap to begin flowing. Warm days and cool nights create optimal conditions.
“Maple season is one of the highlights of the year at Heiberg. We’re eager to showcase the work that goes into every bottle of ESF syrup,” said Jill Rahn, ESF forest resource analyst who coordinates Maple Weekend.
This year, 60 gallons of syrup will be reserved for ESF’s bourbon barrel‑aged maple syrup. The syrup will be aged for nine months in barrels from Last Shot Distillery to create the College’s newest offering. First introduced in December 2025, the limited‑run syrup sold out during the weekends the College sold Christmas trees.
The College will again celebrate maple syrup production during Maple Weekend on March 28 and 29. Visitors can follow the process from sap to syrup and purchase syrup to take home.
Maple syrup will be sold 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at the sugarhouse. Visitors are encouraged to bring glass pint and quart canning jars to reduce plastic use. Jars will be filled for $10 a pint and $20 a quart. Bottled syrup will also be available. A portion of sales supports student scholarships.
“As much as we love the warmer weather, the colder temperatures are better for maple sap runs,” said Rahn. “The return to colder, more seasonable temperatures is keeping things flowing.”
Saturday’s events include sugarhouse tours explaining how syrup is made, along with interactive environmental education and stewardship activities presented by environmental studies students. All ages are welcome.
A pancake breakfast will be held Sunday from 8–11 a.m., served by ESF’s Forestry Club. The Timbersports team will demonstrate sawing and chopping techniques used in competitions.
“We are always thrilled to welcome the public onto ESF’s forest properties, where people can experience firsthand the work that defines our college,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “From research and education to sustainable forestry and maple production, these lands show how science, stewardship, and hands‑on learning come together at ESF. Inviting the community into these spaces is one of the most meaningful ways we can share the impact of our mission.”
The all‑you‑can‑eat breakfast is $10 for adults, $8 for children 5–12 and seniors, and free for children under 5. There are no sugarhouse or sugarbush tours on Sunday. Maple syrup will be sold both days.
Heiberg Memorial Forest is located at 7393 Maple Ridge Road, Tully, and is a member of the New York State Maple Producers Association.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.