From the gorges that cradle the Cornell campus to bogs, glens, meadows, old-growth forests, and wildflower preserves, we steward over 3,600 acres of biologically diverse landscapes in central New York. To support research and teaching at Cornell and beyond, we manage a system of preserves that represent the full range of ecological communities found in the Finger Lakes region. Each of our natural areas is unique—shaped by its geological history, bedrock, soils, topography, hydrology, as well as humans, plants, animals, and other life.
Featured
Ellis Hollow Wetlands
Here you can explore forest, old orchard, or shrub thicket, and managed meadows in the Cascadilla Creek Valley.
Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area
Observe a floating mat sphagnum-heath peat bog from a short boardwalk.
Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve
Explore lake cliffs, forests, shrub thickets, meadows, and a gorge with a 35’ high waterfall.
Bald Hill and Caroline Pinnacles
One of the most dramatic examples in the local region of a valley slope over-steepened by glaciers.
Carter Creek Preserve
Carter Creek cuts between two steep hillsides of old growth, second growth, and young forest.
Cayuga Marsh
Cayuga Marsh is part of a large, nearly pure cattail marsh at the north end of Cayuga Lake.
Cayuta Lake
This aquatic system is relatively pristine and noted for the presence of rare species and high biodiversity.
Dunlop Meadow
The Dunlop Meadow is managed to provide meadow habitat for grassland nesting birds.
Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve
Explore lake cliffs, forests, shrub thickets, meadows, and a gorge with a 35’ high waterfall.
Ellis Hollow Wetlands
Here you can explore forest, old orchard, or shrub thicket, and managed meadows in the Cascadilla Creek Valley.
Etna Preserve
The locally rare plant species fringed gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) is located in this natural area
Fischer Old-growth Forest
Majestic, magical, inspirational, with trees over 150 feet tall, this site is a sanctuary in every sense of the word.
Frost Ravine
Part of a larger area nominated for National Landmark status for of the old-growth forest there.
Lick Brook
Long appreciated as one of Ithaca's most beautiful wooded gorges and for its cascading series of waterfalls.
Lighthouse Point
One of the few remaining areas of floodplain forests and marsh around the mouth of Cayuga Lake.
McDaniel Meadow, Woods, and Swamp
This area includes abandoned farm fields, upland forest and swamp forest.
Monkey Run
Part of a long natural corridor protecting Fall Creek on its route to Cayuga Lake.
Polson Preserve
A variety of forest communities include beech-maple, hemlock-northern hardwood, chestnut oak and mixed forests.
Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area
Observe a floating mat sphagnum-heath peat bog from a short boardwalk.
Renwick Slope
A small but remarkably intact example of old-growth forests common in the area.
Ringwood Ponds
Noted for its complex, rolling glacial topography, abundance of amphibians, and quantity of rare species.
Slaterville 600
Much of this site is old-growth forest.
Steep Hollow Creek
This shady wooded hollow is one of Ithaca’s most pristine ravines.
Tarr-Young Preserve
A steep slope with a mix of younger forest and mature-to-old-growth forest.
Turkey Hill Road Meadow
A good example of the ecological community type called a wet meadow.
Additional Natural Areas
In support of our mission, we protect and maintain six other highly sensitive natural areas.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Explore Our Plants
We offer online tools for locating and learning about plants in our gardens and natural areas.
Garden Map
Use this interactive map to locate our gardens, natural areas, waterfalls, parking, outdoor art, and more.
On-Campus Natural Areas
Explore our 12 beautiful natural areas right on Cornell's campus.