Region Eight Nature Centers
Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung Counties
Many of New York's Finger Lakes are included in this region, as is the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, a 7,000-acre refuge for migrating and nesting waterfowl.
DEC encourages visitors to call ahead to confirm directions, hours of operation and user fee information.
Note: By clicking on the links for these environmental centers, you will go off DEC's website.
Blue Cut Nature Center
Wayne County Parks
7210 Route 31 West
Lyons, N.Y. 14489
315-946-5830
Blue Cut Nature Center Website
Wayne County
Program Description: Located on 40 acres of open land with marsh and pond, mixed hardwoods and red pine plantation, Blue Cut Nature Center offers trail has three self-guided trails. There is a small teaching shelter, picnic tables and restroom facilities.
Hours: Grounds open dawn to dusk.
Fees: None
Buildings: Small lean-to and an outhouse (bathroom)
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: 5 Tables for picnics and 3 charcoal grills available
Cumming Nature Center
6472 Gulick Road
Naples, NY 14512
585-374-6160
Fax: 585-374-5910
Cumming Nature Center Website
Ontario County
Program Description: A division of the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC), Cumming is an environmental education center that interprets the relationship between humans and natural environments. Trail themes include ecology, natural history, Haudenosaunee culture, European pioneer settlement, and past, present, and future land use. Annual special events include Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing in winter, Maple Sugaring Weekends in spring, Frost Town Artisans Faire in summer, and Timber Sports Competition in the fall.
Hours: Center: Wed. - Sun.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Trails close at 4:30PM NOTE: Center closed mid-November until 26 December, call for exact dates
Fees: RMSC members free; Adults: $4, Seniors & College Students with ID: $3, K-Grade 12: $1.50, and Pre K and under: Free
Buildings: Visitors Center with restrooms, gift shop, snack bar, exhibit gallery, library, theater, and wildlife viewing area.
Wheelchair access: Restrooms and building accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes; fires prohibited
Genesee County Park and Forest Interpretive Nature Center
11095 Bethany Center Road
E. Bethany, NY 14054
585-344-1122
Fax: 585-343-6611
Genesee County Park Nature Center Website
Genesee County
Program Description: Located within the "Oldest County Forest" in New York State which has 431 acres of forested rolling hills including the headwaters of Black Creek, 5 small ponds, 4 acre wetland, 17 miles of trails, toboggan hills and various natural habitats of New York. The Nature Center provides indoor and outdoor environmental education and natural history interpretation for school groups, scouts, community organizations and the public through walks and talks. Grade levels include pre-K through 12th. Each program is designed to meet NYS learning standards or individual needs and include hands-on student discovery for investigation of the environment . Annual special events include Earth Day Celebration in the Spring and snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter.
Hours: Park Hours: October - April: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and May - September: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Nature Center Hours: Thurs. - Fri.: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM and Sat. - Sun.: 12:00PM - 4:00PM year round
Fees: No Entrance Fees, Pavilion Reservation Fees, Small fee for school and scout programs - Call for details
Buildings: Nature Center with classrooms, restroom, habitat dioramas, taxidermy, live bee hive and interactive displays. Park has many open pavilions in the summer and two enclosed for the winter, restrooms (summer only) port-johns (winter)
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: General Public, Schools, Groups, Families
Picnic Area: Multiple pavilions with grills. No open fires or pits, carry-in carry-out park
Genesee Country Nature Center
1410 Flint Road
PO Box 310
Mumford, NY 14511
585-538-6822 ext.262
Fax: 585-538-6927
Genesee County Nature Center Website
Monroe County
Program Description: The Nature Center provides outdoor education and natural history interpretation for school groups, scout groups, and the public through walks and talks both in a classroom setting and on the four and a half miles of trails.
Hours January - April: Thurs - Fri: 10:00AM - 4:00PM, Sat - Sun: 10:00AM - 5:00PM
May - October: Tues. - Fri.: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sat. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November and December 31: Sat. - Sun. ONLY 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Fees: Adults: $3; Seniors: $2.50; Youth 4-16 years: $2; Members of GC Village & Museum and children under 3: Free
Buildings: Nature center
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, Groups
Picnic Area: Yes
Hansen Nature Center and Tinker Nature Park
1525 Calkins Rd
P.O. Box 999
Henrietta, NY 14467
585-359-7044
Fax: 585-359-7045
Hansen Nature Center Website
Monroe County
Program Description: 68 acres with fields, woodlands, marsh and pond. 2 trails for hiking, a special needs trail, fitness trail, orienteering course and catch and release fishing is allowed. Special events and nature presentations open to the public. Snowshoes and x-country ski rentals available at nature center. School and scout programs by appointment.
Hours: Park: sunrise to sunset. // Hansen Nature Center: Tues. - Sat.: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Closed Sunday & Monday & Holidays.
Fees: Charge for school and scout programs
Buildings: Nature Center Building with classrooms, restrooms, library, honeybee observation hive and natural history displays. Open-air pavilion with restrooms by reservation. The park is also home to the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum, an 1830's Cobblestone Home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum depicts late 19th Century Farm life and also houses a collection of farm machinery and tools tracing the evolution of farming from subsistence farming to mechanized farming.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: General public, schools and scouts
Picnic Area: Several areas with picnic tables. No fires. Carry-in, carry-out park.
Helmer Nature Center
154 Pine Grove Ave
Rochester, NY 14617
585-336-3035
Fax: 585-336-3193
Helmer Nature Center Website
Monroe County
Program Description: Throughout the year, the nature center provides programs for students of all grade levels, pre-K through grade 12. Each program is designed for the curriculum needs of the students and uses individual student discovery for investigation of the environment.
Hours: Trails open for individuals and families dawn-dusk // Staff hours Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 AM - 3:30 AM, Sat & Sun by appointment; all groups must have reservations
Fees: No admission for trails; program fees vary by program type
Buildings: Resource room; Long House classroom; Sugaring pavilion
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, groups, and general public
Picnic Area: No
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1101 Casey Road
Basom, NY 14013
585-948-5445
Fax: 585-948-9538
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Website
Genesee and Orleans Counties
Program Description: Guided and self-guided field trips available, environmental education programs for schools through the Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation program, free nature programs in spring and fall through a partnership with the Buffalo Audubon Society. Nature trails and overlooks; also fishing and hunting available.
Hours: Grounds: Sunrise - Sunset, year-round // Refuge Office/Visitor Contact Station Mon. - Fri.: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM year-round except holidays and Spring & Fall: Sat. - Sun.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Fees: None (except for waterfowl hunting and marsh trapping)
Buildings: Visitor Contact Station within Refuge Office building (Casey Road); Waterfowl Hunt Permit Station /secondary Visitor Contact Station (at Kanyoo Nature Trail)
Wheelchair access: Office Building, overlooks and some trails
Visitor Focus: The refuge is a stop over point for thousands of migrating waterfowl. Plus over 260 species of birds, including 2 pair of nesting bald eagles, have been documented here. The refuge is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. The refuge's 10,828 acres of habitat also support many other species of wildlife.
Picnic Area: No
Lamberton Conservatory
Monroe County Parks- Highland Botanical Park
180 Reservoir Ave
Rochester, NY 14620-2729
585-753-7270
Fax: 585-256-5880
Lamberton Conservatory Website
Monroe County
Program Description: Conservatory complex located in historic Olmsted designed park. Includes visitor center, courtyard garden, seasonal display house and four themed greenhouses (epiphytes, tropical forest, desert and house plants). Most plants are identified and there is interpretive signage throughout. Tours available by pre-arrangement.
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, except Christmas Day
Fees: Youth (0-5) Free
Youth (6-18) & Seniors (62 and up) $2.00
Adult (19-61) $3.00
Buildings: Range of five connected greenhouses, center courtyard, visitors center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Completely accessible including restrooms
Visitor Focus: General public and groups
Picnic Area: Not in conservatory. Picnic tables are available out in the park.
Mendon Ponds Nature Center
Monroe County Parks
3914 Clover Street
Honeoye Falls, NY 14472-3780
585-334-3780
Mendon Ponds Nature Center Website
Monroe County
Program Description:Mendon Ponds Park, a Registered National Natural Landmark noted for its glacial features, consists of 2,500 acres with 30 miles of trails for hiking, walking, or cross- country skiing. A small trailside museum describing the natural history of Mendon Ponds is located on site.
Hours: Guided programs: By appointment Wed. - Sun., year-round. // Building: Thurs. - Sun.: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM // Park and grounds: 6:00 AM -11:00 PM year-round.
Fees: For guided tours. Call for information.
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: One trail, buildings and restrooms
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Montezuma Audubon Center
PO Box 187
2295 State Route 89
Savannah, NY 13146
315-365-3588 or 315-365-3580
Montezuma Audubon Center Website
Friends of Montezuma Audubon Website
Wayne County
Program Description: The Center offers a diversity of programs which highlight the critically important habitats found in the area. Program themes focus on wetlands ecology, migration, habitat restoration and improvement. Programs are available to school, home school and scout groups. The Center also hosts family and public programs. The Montezuma Audubon Center holds an annual Wildlife Festival the first Saturday in May which celebrates the natural and cultural history of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Snowshoes are available for rent and the public is welcome to hike, snowshoe and cross country ski the trails.
Hours of Operation: All Year: Tues. - Sat.: 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM; Spring, Summer, and Fall: Open Sundays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Free to visit building and hike trails. Charge for programs and calls in advance are requested for large groups.
Buildings: 5,200-square foot facility houses a classroom, public restrooms, auditorium, offices, a kitchen, nature store and exhibit hall.
Wheelchair Accessible: The building and some trails are accessible.
Visitor Focus: Exhibits and trails focus on wetland diversity, habitat enhancement and migration.
Picnic Area: Picnic Tables (no cover)
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3395 Routes 5 & 20 East
Seneca Falls, N.Y. 13148
315-568-5987
Fax: 315-568-8835
Friends of Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Website
Seneca County
Program Description: Established in 1938 by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the more than 9,000-acre Montezuma NWR protects critical habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds & wildlife and boasts ample opportunities for you to enjoy the outdoors! A 3.5-mile Wildlife Drive takes you through the heart of the Refuge; nature trails, photo blinds, and observation towers offer more chances to view the thousands of birds that depend on this vast expanse of wetlands and grasslands for survival. Fishing and hunting by permit get you out to more remote areas of the Refuge.
Hours: Refuge grounds: year-round, sunrise to sunset. // Visitor Center and The Lodge Gift Shop: Mon. - Fri.: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, and Sat. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Generally none. Some programs for the public sponsored by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex may charge a fee of $3 - $5.
Buildings: Visitor Center, Refuge Headquarters Office
Wheelchair access: Visitor Center and Public Restrooms are Accessible
Visitor Focus: Birding and other wildlife observation
Picnic Area: One picnic area
Spencer Crest Nature Center, Inc.
Box 22
Corning, NY 14870
607-962-9012
Spencer Crest Nature Center Website
Steuben County
Program Description: Spencer Crest Nature Center, adjacent to the Corning Community College campus, is a 250-acre nature preserve offering programs to increase awareness, understanding and the responsible use of the environment with over eight miles of trails. The trails are used for hiking, cross-country skiing and running, snowshoeing and sledding as well as Amelia Pond is used for ice skating, ice fishing and summer fishing. The trails are open year-round dawn till dusk and the interpretive displays and the rental space in the building is available Monday-Saturday 9:00AM - 3:00PM. The building can be also rented outside of normal hours for special occasions, such as weddings, etc.
Hours: Guided programs: Group tours by appointment. // Grounds: year-round, dawn to dusk // Building: Mon. - Sat.: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Fees: None; donations accepted.
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Building is accessible; limited access on trails
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Tanglewood Nature Center And Museum
443 Coleman Ave.
Elmira, NY 14903
607-732-6060
Fax: 607-732-6210
Tanglewood Nature Center Website
Chemung County
Program Description:
Nine miles of scenic trails in the Finger Lakes area that begin at the Nature Center allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Chemung Valley first-hand. We offer hiking year-round and winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoe rentals. Our 12,000 square foot building features a museum with 43 species of live animals, interactive exhibits and a comfortable library for bird-watching and reading. Our building also offers 2 meeting rooms for corporate meetings and events, retreats, wedding receptions and even Birthday parties!
Tanglewood is the local leader in environmental education; serving over 15,000 children in the Southern Tier of NY and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. We offer programs that include live animal presentations, outdoor experiences and hands-on activities. Our programs include school field trips, scouting groups, spring and summer camps and weekend activities for children.
Hours: May thru October: Tues. - Sat.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; November thru April: Tues. - Sat.: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Free, donations appreciated
Buildings: 12,000 square foot building with museum featuring live animal and hands-on exhibits
Wheelchair access: All facilities are accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, Group Tours
Picnic Area: Yes with pavilion
Twin Cedars Environmental Area
NYSDEC
6274 E Avon-Lima Rd
Avon, NY 14414
585-226-2466
Fax: 585-226-5332
Twin Cedars Environmental Area Website
Livingston County
Program Description: Seasonal displays available
Hours: Grounds (including 20 acre pond) - always open // Call for displays and programs
Fees: None
Buildings: A-frame mini nature center
Wheelchair access: A portion of grounds yes, building limited
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, and Community Groups
Picnic Area: A few tables and lawn (no formal picnic area)
YMCA Camp Arrowhead Outdoor Education Center
20 Arrowhead Road
Pittsford, NY 14534
585-383-4590
Fax: 585-383-4598
YMCA Camp Arrowhead Website
Monroe County
Program Description: YMCA Camp Arrowhead Outdoor Education Center offers a wide variety of hands-on, interactive environmental education programs for students of all ages. The programs are designed with the following objectives in mind: to explore environmental principles in a dynamic, natural setting; to create and foster an awareness among students of healthy stewardship principles; to gain knowledge and awareness of their natural world and their role in it; to challenge students in a cooperative learning environment. Programs of study include: Hands-on Nature Study, Animal Tracks and characteristics, Interpretative Nature Hikes, Orienteering and Survival Skills, Pioneer History and Skills, Snow shoeing, Indoor and Outdoor Programs, Customized Curriculum-based Programs.
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. All others by program or appointment
Fees: Call for fee information.
Buildings: Restrooms, Interpretive Center
Wheelchair access: Several areas including an accessible Alpine Climbing Tower
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, Group Tours
Picnic Area: Several including playground and sand box areas.
