Archive: Around Town

For over a decade The Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth (PRI) and the Cayuga Nature Center (CNC), have actively partnered on many programs from exhibits to events. This collaboration has capitalized on the unique strengths of these two organizations to offer high-quality natural science programming to the central New York region, and also improve joint and separate programmatic capacity at both organizations. Today, the Board of Trustees of PRI and CNC, voted unanimously to formally move forward on a plan towards the eventual legal merger with CNC. This new enhanced partnership will allow the two organizations to reach a greater number of children and families.

For the past three years, the Summer Camp at CNC has included substantial involvement of PRI, and has been a huge success. Hundreds of students took part in day camp activities ranging from learning how to build outdoor shelters to investigating ancient creatures by studying fossils. The CNC/PRI summer camp is unique in that it offers kids quality science and nature programming with highly trained staff, in a beautiful outdoor setting. It keeps kids engaged with learning until school starts up in September.

The plan toward merger is made possible by the Traid Foundation. Triad Foundation's involvement with the plan stems from their long-term support for both the Cayuga Nature Center and the Paleontological Research Institution.

“We believe that environmental education in Tompkins County will be significantly enhanced by blending the irreplaceable natural resources of the Cayuga Nature Center with the outstanding collections and earth science education programs of the Paleontological Research Institution.” said Joanne Florino, Executive Director of Triad Foundation. “We were working with the Cayuga Nature Center to build that organization's capacity and sustainability when the discussion of joining with another local organization first began. Among several executive directors who were presented with the idea, Warren Allmon indicated what I would call a "cautious interest" in the possibility. A collaboration grant was made to enable CNC and PRI to hire a joint staff member and work together on summer camp and a field guide to CNC. That experience was quite positive and led to the consideration of a formal merger. The opportunity became a reality because of the hard work of Tom Trencansky, Warren Allmon, and the boards of both institutions. They have taken a huge step forward in organizational restructuring that required both vision and courage, and the Foundation is proud to be their partner in this undertaking”.

From the first capacity- building grant to CNC through the grants that will be made to support the merger, Triad will have invested well over $600,000 in this project.

The plan is also being supported by the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board, the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County, and the Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund.

“This is an exciting time of unprecedented growth for PRI and its Museum of the Earth,” said Dr. Warren Allmon, director of PRI and its Museum of the Earth. “This collaboration with CNC will allow us to merge our strength in Earth science education with the Nature Center’s long-standing and excellent reputation in environmental education. This is increasingly where both fields are headed nationally, and we think we will be in an excellent position to expand new and innovative programs far beyond Tompkins County.”

This collaboration also will allow PRI to benefit from CNC’s site, which includes a gorge and waterfall, and its collection of live animals. In the past CNC and PRI have collaborated to bring live animals to public events at Museum of the Earth. The expanded partnership will allow for the inclusion of more CNC live animals in more Museum programming. The gorge can serve as a valuable site for PRI programming on Earth science and paleontology.

CNC was incorporated in 1981 to provide environmental education to area schools and the general public. CNC is comprised of approximately 150 acres on two sites (Main Property and Smith Woods in Trumansburg). The main property overlooks Cayuga Lake and includes miles of foot trails that take visitors through mature deciduous forest, along gorges and streams, and close to habitats of a variety of native plants and wildlife. The historic lodge (a 1939 WPA Project) houses an exhibit hall and live animals, and serves as CNC's primary year round program site and facility for camps, programs, and group rentals. CNC is open 365 days a year for walking, birding and nature interpretation. In addition to public programs and camps, local schools and researchers from Cornell University and Ithaca College regularly utilize CNC's properties.

v7i4