Natural Areas

What is a Natural Area?

Cornell Plantations protects and manages 4,300 acres of natural areas, including bogs, fens, gorges, glens, meadows, woodlands, and other biologically diverse ecosystems.  From the heart of the Cornell campus and on through the surrounding countryside, come discover some of the most beautiful natural areas in Tompkins County.  

These ecologically fragile areas, obtained by gift and purchase, are protected for research, education, and the enjoyment of visitors.

Our goal is to preserve our natural heritage to promote a better understanding and appreciation of our natural world.

To do this, we:

• protect and manage biologically significant natural areas in support of Cornell's educational mission. Read more about the lands we protect in our natural area profiles.

• test the latest tools and techniques to manage our natural areas and preserve their integrity, including our deer management and invasive species programs. Read more about our approach to natural areas stewardship.

• conduct and coordinate research by the scientific community to better understand pressing conservation issues. Read more about research opportunities at Cornell Plantations.

• involve the community in helping to maintain the integrity of our natural areas through education and volunteer programs. Learn about our new and exciting opportunity: The Natural Areas Academy.

• share our latest successes and failures with the conservation community and the general public through education. Read more about our education programs.

• play an important role in helping achieve Cornell's committment to sustainability. Read more about how our Natural Areas are used to conserve resources, reduce environmental impacts, and support climate change research.

Please help us protect these delicate areas by following our visitor use guidelines.