Cornell University

Nature Rx

Holistic well-being through connection with nature

Wildflowers in the foreground overlooking Beebe Lake at Cornell, with the lake's serene waters and surrounding foliage creating a peaceful natural scene.

Resources

Check out these on-campus and local resources for more opportunities to connect with nature.
Cayuga Nature Center

The Cayuga Nature Center provides indoor and outdoor programs and exhibits that encourage visitors to explore and understand the natural history of the Cayuga Lake Basin as part of the regional and global ecosystems.

Logo of Cayuga Waterfront Trail featuring stylized blue waves with the words CAYUGA WATERFRONT TRAIL Cayuga Waterfront Trail

The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is a 5.5-mile, multi-use trail providing an active, non-motorized transportation and recreation way connecting our community's most popular waterfront destinations.

Cornell Botanic Gardens

Cornell Botanic Gardens consist of 25 acres of botanical gardens and 150 acres of the F.R. Newman Arboretum. The greater Botanic Gardens includes 40 different natural areas around Cornell and Ithaca, covering 4,300 acres. All sites are open and free to the public, from dawn to dusk, year-round.

black bird with red and yellow accents. Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Our mission is to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Explore the Visitor Center and over 6 miles of trails. Free and open to the public.

Cornell Outdoor Education

Cornell Outdoor Education enhances academic performance and success in the workplace by developing leadership, teamwork and personal achievement through experience-based education in the outdoor environment at Cornell University and around the world.

outing club logo, naming club and several cartoon images of outdoors Cornell Outing Club

The Cornell Outing Club is one of the oldest student organizations at Cornell. We offer students the chance to develop outdoors skills, leadership experience, and form lifetime bonds, all in an environment of mutual help and assistance.

land trust logo with tree as main focus point Finger Lakes Land Trust

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) was founded in 1989 to protect forests, farmlands, gorges, and shorelines in the Finger Lakes region of New York.  We have saved over 24,000 acres by creating public nature preserves and helping landowners to conserve their beloved properties. 

logo with animated turtle Ithaca Children's Garden

Ithaca Children’s Garden is a 3-acre public children’s garden designed for kids, enjoyed by all, and driven by a mission to connect children to nature to create a more beautiful, resilient and just world.

Ithaca trails logo, cartoon person with dotted line to x location Ithaca Trails

Greater Ithaca and Tompkins County Trails offers numerous hikes for the outdoor activity of your choosing. With breathtaking views and easy access to over 150 waterfalls and gorges, your next outdoor destination is a no-brainer.

NYS Hiking Trails

Trails in New York will allow you to access trail and contact information on over 90 shared use and single use trails throughout the state using an Interactive Map or search a Trails Inventory database by county, trail surface or trail use where information is collected on 700 trails statewide.