Printer-friendlyRegion Seven Nature Centers
Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Tioga and Broome Counties
Region Seven includes the counties of Central New York, taking in the shores of Lake Ontario and the easternmost Finger Lakes. Opportunities to visit varied ecosystems abound in this area.
DEC encourages visitors to call ahead to confirm directions, hours of operation and user fee information.
Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center
3288 Main Street
Mexico, NY 13114
800-724-1753
Fax: 315-963-0968
4-H Environmental Education Center Website
Oswego County
Program Description: The Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, owned and operated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County 4-H Program, consists of 150 acres of mixed woods, wetlands, and Rowell Brook. Three miles of hiking trails guide visitors through the ecosystems. The trails are open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. The buildings may be used year round for a minimal fee. Guided education programs are offered by pre-registration.
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Fees: No entrance fee
For renting of facilities, fees are as follows:
Members of Friends of Amboy:
Day Use: $2/person/day Min. fee: $30
Overnight: $5/person/night Min. fee: $75
Non-member:
Day Use: $3/person/day Min. fee: $40
Overnight: $6/person/night Min. fee: $100
Buildings: Evergreen Lodge: Dormitory and bathroom building. Provides sleeping arrangements for up to 60 people. Bathroom facilities include shower stalls; Dunn Lodge: Main meeting and kitchen building. Kitchen contains 2 refrigerators, stove, microwave, pots and pans, plates, glasses, and utensils. Blackboard, tables, and chairs. Seating for 60 people; Don MacVean Pavilion: Seating up to 200 people; Miller Cabin Nature Museum: Open upon request.
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, Community Groups (scouts, 4-H)
Picnic Area: Yes, pavilion
Baltimore Woods Nature Center
PO Box 133, Bishop Hill Road
Marcellus, NY 13108
315-673-1350
Fax: 315-673-3671
Baltimore Woods Nature Center Website
Onondaga County
Program Description: Baltimore Woods is a 182-acre preserve featuring a Backyard Wildlife Area, the Mildred E. Faust Wildflower Garden, a Pioneer Homestead, the Dee Atkinson Arboretum and several miles of trails. Baltimore Woods is managed by the Centers for Nature Education, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to teaching and promoting environmental awareness. We have just over six miles of trails that wind down through a beautiful glacial melt water valley.
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Grounds open dawn to dusk all year
Fees: Parking and Hiking are free. Donation appreciated. Fees for special programs.
Buildings: John A Weeks Interpretive Center, Pioneer Cabin, and Pavilion.
Wheelchair access: Building and Faust Garden Trail are fully accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Beaver Lake Nature Center
Onondaga County Department of Parks and Recreation
8477 East Mud Lake Road
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
315-638-2519
Fax: 315-638-7488
Beaver Lake Nature Center Website
Onondaga County
Program Description: Beaver Lake Nature Center is a 600-acre Onondaga County Park which includes a 200-acre glacially formed lake and a rich variety of natural communities including a bog. Programs include naturalist-led weekend walks, guided canoe tours, snowshoe hikes, a summer day camp and school, and other group tours.
Hours: Interpretive building open 8:00AM to dusk., every day except Christmas; Trails open 7:30AM til dusk, every day.
Fees: $1 per vehicle parking fee
Buildings: Interpretive building and restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Cayuga Nature Center, Inc.
1420 Taughannock Blvd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-6260
Fax: 607-273-1719
Cayuga Nature Center Website
Tompkins County
Program Description: An environmental education center overlooking Cayuga Lake offers programs for visiting school classes. With 241 acres of streams, fields and woodlands at two different locations, the center has five miles of public trails available dawn to dusk.
Hours: Grounds open dawn to dusk, year round. Building open 8:30AM - 4:00PM, Monday-Friday; 12:00PM - 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.
Fees: Call for building and trail fee information.
Buildings: Rustic lodge and restrooms
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Chenango Valley State Park History & Nature Center
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
153 State Park Rd
Chenango Forks, NY 13746
607-648-5251
Fax: 607-648-8445
Chenango Valley State Park Nature Center Website
Chenango County
Program Description: History, focusing on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and nature exhibits along with educational programs.
Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Wednesdays & Saturdays: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Fees: None for center; $6 for day use at the park Memorial Day - Labor Day
Buildings: Nature center
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes and Beach in summer
Clark Reservation State Park Nature Center
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
6105 East Seneca Turnpike
Jamesville, NY 13078
Nature Center (Seasonal #):315-492-0067
Park Office: 315-492-1590
Fax: 315-492-1908
Clark Reservation State Park Nature Center Website
Onondaga County
Program Description: Exhibits about the park's lake, geology, flora, and fauna. Also, there are sunset hikes on Wednesdays offered along with a park natural history walk offered on Sundays by the Council of Park Friends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Mon - Fri: 4:00PM - 7:30PM
Sat - Sun: 11:00AM- 6:00PM
Fees: None for Nature Center; $5 parking fee for State Park Memorial Day - Columbus Day
Buildings: Nature Center
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-254-2473 or 1-800-843-2473
Fax: 607-254-2415
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Website
Tompkins County
Program Description: Large picture windows in the Lyman K. Stuart Observatory overlook a 10-acre pond at Sapsucker Woods and microphones pipe in outdoor sounds. Both waterfowl and perching birds may be enjoyed year round. Sanctuary trails are open for walking all year.
Hours: Interpretive building open Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM; Friday 8:00AM - 4:0PM and Saturday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Grounds and trails open daily all year.
Fees: None
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Buildings and restrooms are accessible; trails are not.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Finch Hollow Nature Center
Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation
1394 Oakdale Road
Johnson City, NY 13790
607-729-4231
Fax: 607-729-4231
Finch Hollow Nature Center Website
Broome County
Program Description: Finch Hollow houses a collection of mounted birds and mammals and a variety of natural history displays. A short trail system surrounds a flood control pond. Guided theme walks, teacher workshops, Saturday public programs a newsletter are provided
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM; grounds open dawn to dusk.
Fees: For guided groups only.
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: The museum is accessible; trails are not
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Green Lakes Nature Center
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
7900 Green Lakes Rd
Fayetteville, NY 13066
315-637-6111
Fax: 315-637-3385
Green Lakes Nature Center Website
Onondaga County
Program Description: Exhibits about the park's lakes, geology, flora, and fauna. Interactive nature programs, discussions, and walks are offered seasonally, please call the office for further details.
Hours: Seasonal hours: please call the office for hours of operation
Fees: None for center; $6 parking fee for park during Memorial Day - Labor Day
Buildings: Nature center
Wheelchair access: Building is ramped
Visitor Focus: General Public
Picnic Area: Yes, Beach in summer
Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture
3091 Gracie Road
Cortland, NY 13045-9355
607-758-5462
Lime Hollow Center Website
Cortland County
Program Description: Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture offers more than 350 acres of diverse habitat including mixed forests, streams, ponds, fens, a bog, abandoned fields, and beautiful views.
Hours: Guided programs, by appointment; Grounds: Visitor center open Monday through Saturday: 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sunday: 1:00PM - 4:00PM Trails open dawn til dusk.
Fees: For guided tours only
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Building is; trails being worked on to improve accessibility
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Rice Creek Field Station
State University College at Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
315-342-0961
Fax: 315-342-0347
Rice Creek Field Station Website
Oswego County
Program Description:Rice Creek Field Station is surrounded by 400 acres of varied habitats, including mature forest, 26-acre Rice Creek Pond, Rice Creek, and fields in several stages of succession. The field station contains teaching laboratories, a seminar room, an exhibit area on Oswego County natural history and well-kept nature trails. Year-round nature education programs are offered to the general public.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM all year; Saturdays 9:00AM - 3:00PM.
Fees: None
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No
Rogers Environmental Education Center
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
2721 State Hwy 80
Sherburne, NY 13460
607-674-4017
Fax: 607-674-2655
Rogers EEC's Website
Chenango County
Program Description:Rogers Environmental Education Center is operated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the non-profit Friends of Rogers. Bordered by the Chenango River, the Rogers Environmental Education Center's 600 acres contains ponds, marshes, meadows, forests, farm crops, and an herb garden. Programs and exhibits are designed to help the variety of audiences gain a better awareness, appreciation, and understanding of natural history, ecological principles, and natural resource management. Facilities consist of a visitor center, offices, a library, classrooms, an exhibit building housing a large collection of mounted birds, a picnic area and six miles of trails.
Hours Monday-Friday: 8:30AM - 4:45PM; Saturday, 1:00PM - 4:45PM; Sundays, June-August: 1:00PM - 4:45PM Grounds open sunrise to sunset.Fees: None
Buildings: Visitors center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Buildings are accessible; some trails are but none are paved
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Salmon River Fish Hatchery
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
2133 County Route 22
Altmar, NY 13302
315-298-5051
Fax: 315-298-6960
Salmon River Fish Hatchery Website
Oswego County
Program Description: Salmon River Fish Hatchery is operated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to provide 3.5 million salmonids including chinook, coho, and Atlantic salmon, steelhead, and brown trout for NY's Great Lakes and their tributaries. The facility has been open since 1981 and provides a unique indoor/outdoor educational opportunity through a self-guided tour depicting hatchery operations and various fisheries programs. Guided programs are also available upon request and video presentations are offered daily in the auditorium. National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated as the hatchery's open house on the fourth Saturday in September.
Peak season for viewing adult Pacific salmon returning to the hatchery and their spawning operations is mid September to mid October. Peak steelhead season is the end of March through April. Spawning operations for all species take place only on weekdays. Call ahead for spawning schedule.
Hours: Open mid-March to November 30, depending on snow accumulations, daily 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Fees: None
Buildings: Interpretive center, outdoor viewing deck at the fish ladder, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Selkirk Shores State Park Recreation Center
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
9 Pine Grove Road
Pulaski, NY 13142
315-298-5737
Fax: 315-298-6921
Selkirk Shores State Park Website
Oswego County
Program Description: Nature orientated programs and activities for campers and park patrons.
Hours: Memorial Day - End of June: Weekends only
July - Labor Day: Daily
Fees: Included in camping and day use fees
Buildings: Recreation Hall, restrooms, pavilion, campground store
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: General Public
Picnic Area: Yes & Beach in summer
Sterling Nature Center
PO Box 126
Sterling, NY 13156
315-947-6143
Fax: 315-947-6521
Sterling Nature Center Website
Oswego County
Program Description: The Sterling Nature Center is a new 1200-acre center featuring 1.9 miles of undeveloped Lake Ontario shoreline, a beaver wetland with great blue heron rookery, several vernal pools, an impounded wetland. Weaved throughout the 900 acres of forest, 100 acres of meadow and 200 acres of wetland habitat are 11 hiking trails. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset everyday of the year for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Center is located in northern Cayuga County just up the road from the Sterling Renascence Festival. We offer a wide variety of nature study programs for the general public, groups, clubs, tours and anyone else interested in nature. Things are still evolving at the center as we are only a few years old. Volunteers and suggestions are always welcomed.
Hours: Grounds and Trails open sunrise to sunset. Interpretive Center hours vary with the seasons, please call or email for specific information.
Fees: Vary with program and group requirements, Use of trail system and grounds free to general public, donations to Friends group are accepted
Buildings: Interpretive Center with exhibits, small gift shop and accessible restroom
Wheelchair access: Building and restrooms are accessible along with Lake View Deck and Trail
Visitor Focus: Schools, groups, tours, general public
Picnic Area: Yes, outside Interpretive Center
Waterman Conservation Education Center
PO Box 377, 403 Hilton Road
Apalachin, NY 13732-0377
607-625-2221
Waterman Conservation Education Center Website
Tioga County
Program Description: The Waterman Center, a non-profit nature center, has four miles of trails that wind through 94 acres of woods and meadows. An interpretive building housing a museum, taxidermy collection, gift shop, offices, lecture room, classroom space, and a small library are on site. Off-site facilities include 112-acre Hiawatha Island in the Susquehanna River, the 24-acre Brick Pond and 40-acre Apalachin Marsh.
Hours: Interpretive building open Monday-Friday from 9:00AM - 5:00PM On weekends, the building is open 10:00AM - 4:00PM Grounds are open dawn to dusk.
Fees: Vary according to group size
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Building is accessible, trails are not.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
