Youth Programs

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 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

Cornell Plantations The Cornell Plantations include botanical gardens, an arboretum, and many natural areas managed by Cornell University. The Plantations attract and inspire visitors while providing opportunities to learn about plants, natural sciences, and the preservation of natural resources. Nancy Ostman One Plantations Rd, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14850 607-255-9638
Educational programs include: classes, tours, lectures, and other special events related to horticulture and natural history. The Plantations offers maps and inventories of Cornell’s natural areas, slide collections of plants and habitats, and a gift shop offering books and field guides.

EcoVillage of Ithaca The goal of EcoVillage is to redesign the human habitat by creating a model community that will exemplify sustainable systems of living. The completed project will demonstrate the feasibility of a design that meets basic human needs, such as shelter, food production, energy, social interaction, work, and recreation while preserving natural ecosystems. Liz Walker 318 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell Ithaca NY 14853 607-255-8276 Slides shows EcoVillage operates a nature preserve and provides slide presentations, education for youth, a youth garden program with Greater Ithaca Activities Center, summer camp, and university level research projects. Creating a model of ecological systems, design, and living for 500 people.

Finger Lakes National Forest, USDA Forest Service This agency administers the Finger Lakes National Forest and the former Hector Land Use Area. These 14,500 acres of National Forest System land offer many recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, backpacking, and snowmobiling. Bill Cotee Fire #4588, State Rt. 224 Montour Falls NY 14865-9788 607-594-2750
Interpretive programs, maps, trail system, grazing pasture, and campgrounds are available, as are environmental educational programs, school visits, and Smokey the Bear programs.

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.

Institute on Science & the Environ. for Teachers, Cornell The Institute on Science and the Environment for Teachers promotes middle school and high school teaching and learning about aquatic environmental systems. William Carlsen 428 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853 607-255-9257
Participating teams of science teachers from across New York State receive summer coursework, equipment, supplies, and access to a toll-free computer bulletin board system.

Ithaca City Schools Paper Recycling Program The City of Ithaca school system operates a waste paper recycling program. Charles Breckheimer P.O. Box 612 Dryden NY 13053 607-274-2190
A speaker is available to provide information regarding the organization and coordination of a school paper recycling program.

Lime Hollow Nature Center Lime Hollow Nature Center provides year-round environmental education and nature-based recreation on 115 acres of land with unusual ecological diversity. Steve Davis 3091 Gracie Rd. Cortland NY 13045 607-758-5462 visitors center, interpretive exhibits, 3 miles of trails, activities buildings. Lime Hollow’s facilities include a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits, an activities building, and 3 miles of trails. Weekly educational programs are offered to the public and schools that utilize the nature center for curriculum-based field trips. Weekly educational programs offered to general public and schools.

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.

Sciencenter The Sciencenter is a hands-on museum and science park located in downtown Ithaca. The museum houses over 75 exhibits and a museum store. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. Charles Trautman 601 First St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-272-0600
The Sciencenter hosts "Showtime" every Saturday for children and families and is available at other times for private functions.

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 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
Cornell Plantations	The Cornell Plantations include botanical gardens, an arboretum, and many natural areas managed by Cornell University. The Plantations attract and inspire visitors while providing opportunities to learn about plants, natural sciences, and the preservation of natural resources.	Nancy Ostman	One Plantations Rd, Cornell University	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-255-9638		Educational programs include: classes, tours, lectures, and other special events related to horticulture and natural history. The Plantations offers maps and inventories of Cornell’s natural areas, slide collections of plants and habitats, and a gift shop offering books and field guides.
EcoVillage of Ithaca	The goal of EcoVillage is to redesign the human habitat by creating a model community that will exemplify sustainable systems of living. The completed project will demonstrate the feasibility of a design that meets basic human needs, such as shelter, food production, energy, social interaction, work, and recreation while preserving natural ecosystems.	Liz Walker	318 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell	Ithaca	NY	14853	607-255-8276	Slides shows	EcoVillage operates a nature preserve and provides slide presentations, education for youth, a youth garden program with Greater Ithaca Activities Center, summer camp, and university level research projects.	Creating a model of ecological systems, design, and living for 500 people.
Finger Lakes National Forest, USDA Forest Service	This agency administers the Finger Lakes National Forest and the former Hector Land Use Area. These 14,500 acres of National Forest System land offer many recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, backpacking, and snowmobiling.	Bill Cotee	Fire #4588, State Rt. 224	Montour Falls	NY	14865-9788	607-594-2750		Interpretive programs, maps, trail system, grazing pasture, and campgrounds are available, as are environmental educational programs, school visits, and Smokey the Bear programs.
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.
Institute on Science & the Environ. for Teachers, Cornell	The Institute on Science and the Environment for Teachers promotes middle school and high school teaching and learning about aquatic environmental systems.	William Carlsen	428 Kennedy Hall, Cornell University	Ithaca	NY	14853	607-255-9257		Participating teams of science teachers from across New York State receive summer coursework, equipment, supplies, and access to a toll-free computer bulletin board system.
Ithaca City Schools Paper Recycling Program	The City of Ithaca school system operates a waste paper recycling program.	Charles Breckheimer	P.O. Box 612	Dryden	NY	13053	607-274-2190		A speaker is available to provide information regarding the organization and coordination of a school paper recycling program.
Lime Hollow Nature Center	Lime Hollow Nature Center provides year-round environmental education and nature-based recreation on 115 acres of land with unusual ecological diversity.	Steve Davis	3091 Gracie Rd.	Cortland	NY	13045	607-758-5462	visitors center, interpretive exhibits, 3 miles of trails, activities buildings.	Lime Hollow’s facilities include a visitor’s center with interpretive exhibits, an activities building, and 3 miles of trails. Weekly educational programs are offered to the public and schools that utilize the nature center for curriculum-based field trips.	Weekly educational programs offered to general public and schools.
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.
Sciencenter	The Sciencenter is a hands-on museum and science park located in downtown Ithaca. The museum houses over 75 exhibits and a museum store. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm.	Charles Trautman	601 First St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-272-0600		The Sciencenter hosts "Showtime" every Saturday for children and families and is available at other times for private functions.