Volunteer Programs/Opportunities

organization organization_description first name address city state zip contact_phone available resources available services available programs

Cayuga Nature Center The Cayuga Nature Center provides environmental and outdoor education programs for school groups, other organizations, and the general public. The Center includes a nature preserve, nature exhibits, trail system, and lodge. Janet Hawkes 1420 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-6260
Facilities include large main lodge with overnight accommodations for up to 150 people, 140 acres with trails, and a rope course. The facilities are also available for rental by outside groups.

City of Ithaca, Ithaca Youth Bureau The City Youth Bureau runs summer “Youth Conservation Corps” work programs. Program assignments include trail and bridge construction and maintenance, playgrounds, planting, soil erosion control, and stone work. Ric Dietrich 1 James L. Gibbs Dr. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-8364
The Youth Bureau provides work programs for teens, helps with grants, and works toward developing a county-wide trail system.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s mission is to disseminate and encourage the application of research generated knowledge and leadership techniques to individuals, families, businesses, and communities. CCE offers programs for youth and adults in many areas, including natural resources appreciation and stewardship, preservation of indoor and outdoor environments, water quality education, non-point source pollution prevention, land use policy, composting, waste reduction, and pesticide education. Sharon Anderson 615 Willow Ave. Ithaca NY 14850 607-272-2292 Publications on composting, water quality, water and sewer systems, indoor air quality, forestry for a variety of purposes, home gardening, pest management, soils, environmental education and stewardship and curricula for youth and adults who work with youth. Services from the CCE include: public forums on environmental issues, satellite conferences, plant diagnositic services, soil nutrient testing, pest management recommendations, telephone helplines, training for adults who work with youth, and volunteer leaders for 4-H clubs.

Cornell Greens, Student Environmental Action Coalition A Cornell campus social and environmental justice group composed of both graduate and undergraduate students. The organization focuses on campus environmental awareness, community service, and action (letters, rallies, speakers). Todd Dawson Box 82, Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Ithaca NY 14853 607-254-4234
The Greens manages the “Eco-Buddies” programs at Northside Community Center, provides dormitory programs on “Eco-Justice,” volunteers for environmental events, and serves as the Earth Day coordinating group.

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology The Laboratory of Ornithology is an international center for the study, conservation, and appreciation of birds. It is located on a 220-acre sanctuary, complete with nature trails, a bird-feeding area and a large waterfowl pond. There is also an art gallery, observatory and gift shop. Rick Bonney 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca NY 14850 607-254-2424

Finger Lakes State Park Region The Finger Lakes Region of the NYS Office of Parks includes 23 facilities in 10 counties. Four parks are located in Tompkins County: Allan H. Treman, Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman, and Taughannock Falls. These parks provide access and facilities for camping, picnicking, hiking, nature study, boating, and fishing. John Clancy P.O. Box 1055 Trumansburg NY 14886 607-387-7041 Park brochures and maps, tourism brochures, nature trail leaflets. Swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping, nature study, boating, fishing, hunting (limited), ballfields, park brochures and maps, tourism brochures, and nature trail leaflets are all services of this region. Guided naturalist programs, recreation programs, special events, concerts.

Paleontological Research Institute The Paleontological Research Institute offers a hands-on quality educational program for children, adults, students, educators, and enthusiasts to increase their understanding of earth science and the history of life on earth. Program topics include fossils and fossilization, geological history of the Finger Lakes, and dinosaurs. Dr. Peter Hoover 1259 Trumansburg Rd. Ithaca NY 14850-1398 607-273-6623
PRI houses one of the ten largest collections of fossil invertebrates in North America. PRI offers informative field trips, educational workshops, and tours, in addition to issuing both scholarly and popular publications and a quarterly newsletter.

Tompkins County Environmental Management Council The Environmental Management Council is the official advisory body on environmental matters to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives. The EMC is made up of 28 appointed voting members and volunteer associate members from across the county. The EMC researches environmental topics; prepares and distributes educational materials for the public; reviews development proposals; updates information on unique natural areas; and encourages long range environmental planning in the county. Katherine Borgella 121 E. Court St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-274-5560
The EMC provides information on the county’s unique natural areas and maintains a library on environmental issues. Educational materials are also available. Unique Natural Areas Survey, publications, reports, other documents.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service field office serves as a contact for wetland issues, Ecosystem Based Assistance, and Whole Farm Planning. The Service acts in partnership with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The organization was formerly known as the USDA Soil Conservation Service. Linda Szeliga 903 Hanshaw Rd. Ithaca NY 14850 607-257-3820 Soil Survey, aerial photographs, topographic maps, NYS Freshwater Wetlands, FWS Wetlands Inventory, posters, videos. Site visits, meetings, presentations by specialists.

organization	organization_description	first name	address	city	state	zip	contact_phone	available resources	available services	available programs
Cayuga Nature Center	The Cayuga Nature Center provides environmental and outdoor education programs for school groups, other organizations, and the general public. The Center includes a nature preserve, nature exhibits, trail system, and lodge.	Janet Hawkes	1420 Taughannock Blvd.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-6260		Facilities include large main lodge with overnight accommodations for up to 150 people, 140 acres with trails, and a rope course. The facilities are also available for rental by outside groups.
City of Ithaca, Ithaca Youth Bureau	The City Youth Bureau runs summer “Youth Conservation Corps” work programs. Program assignments include trail and bridge construction and maintenance, playgrounds, planting, soil erosion control, and stone work.	Ric Dietrich	1 James L. Gibbs Dr.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-8364		The Youth Bureau provides work programs for teens, helps with grants, and works toward developing a county-wide trail system.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County	Cornell Cooperative Extension’s mission is to disseminate and encourage the application of research generated knowledge and leadership techniques to individuals, families, businesses, and communities. CCE offers programs for youth and adults in many areas, including natural resources appreciation and stewardship, preservation of indoor and outdoor environments, water quality education, non-point source pollution prevention, land use policy, composting, waste reduction, and pesticide education.	Sharon Anderson	615 Willow Ave.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-272-2292	Publications on composting, water quality, water and sewer systems, indoor air quality, forestry for a variety of purposes, home gardening, pest management, soils, environmental education and stewardship and curricula for youth and adults who work with youth.	Services from the CCE include: public forums on environmental issues, satellite conferences, plant diagnositic services, soil nutrient testing, pest management recommendations, telephone helplines, training for adults who work with youth, and volunteer leaders for 4-H clubs.
Cornell Greens, Student Environmental Action Coalition	A Cornell campus social and environmental justice group composed of both graduate and undergraduate students. The organization focuses on campus environmental awareness, community service, and action (letters, rallies, speakers).	Todd Dawson	Box 82, Willard Straight Hall, Cornell	Ithaca	NY	14853	607-254-4234		The Greens manages the “Eco-Buddies” programs at Northside Community Center, provides dormitory programs on “Eco-Justice,” volunteers for environmental events, and serves as the Earth Day coordinating group.
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology	The Laboratory of Ornithology is an international center for the study, conservation, and appreciation of birds. It is located on a 220-acre sanctuary, complete with nature trails, a bird-feeding area and a large waterfowl pond. There is also an art gallery, observatory and gift shop.	Rick Bonney	159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-254-2424
Finger Lakes State Park Region	The Finger Lakes Region of the NYS Office of Parks includes 23 facilities in 10 counties. Four parks are located in Tompkins County: Allan H. Treman, Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman, and Taughannock Falls. These parks provide access and facilities for camping, picnicking, hiking, nature study, boating, and fishing.	John Clancy	P.O. Box 1055	Trumansburg	NY	14886	607-387-7041	Park brochures and maps, tourism brochures, nature trail leaflets.	Swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping, nature study, boating, fishing, hunting (limited), ballfields, park brochures and maps, tourism brochures, and nature trail leaflets are all services of this region.	Guided naturalist programs, recreation programs, special events, concerts.
Paleontological Research Institute	The Paleontological Research Institute offers a hands-on quality educational program for children, adults, students, educators, and enthusiasts to increase their understanding of earth science and the history of life on earth. Program topics include fossils and fossilization, geological history of the Finger Lakes, and dinosaurs.	Dr. Peter Hoover	1259 Trumansburg Rd.	Ithaca	NY	14850-1398	607-273-6623		PRI houses one of the ten largest collections of fossil invertebrates in North America. PRI offers informative field trips, educational workshops, and tours, in addition to issuing both scholarly and popular publications and a quarterly newsletter.
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council	The Environmental Management Council is the official advisory body on environmental matters to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives. The EMC is made up of 28 appointed voting members and volunteer associate members from across the county. The EMC researches environmental topics; prepares and distributes educational materials for the public; reviews development proposals; updates information on unique natural areas; and encourages long range environmental planning in the county.	Katherine Borgella	121 E. Court St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-274-5560		The EMC provides information on the county’s unique natural areas and maintains a library on environmental issues. Educational materials are also available.	Unique Natural Areas Survey, publications, reports, other documents.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service field office serves as a contact for wetland issues, Ecosystem Based Assistance, and Whole Farm Planning. The Service acts in partnership with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The organization was formerly known as the USDA Soil Conservation Service.	Linda Szeliga	903 Hanshaw Rd.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-257-3820	Soil Survey, aerial photographs, topographic maps, NYS Freshwater Wetlands, FWS Wetlands Inventory, posters, videos. Site visits, meetings, presentations by specialists.