Two Below Zero on the Shores of Cayuga
See video and photos of VanRiper Conservation Area on a bitter January morning.
Visiting the Preserves
Photos and stories about exploring our public nature preserves, including our feature series, A Closer Look at Plants and Animals.
The Wild Turkey
The natural history of the turkey is intertwined with human history.
Hiking Hills and Crossing Creek at Ellis Hollow
Let’s wander the trails of Ellis Hollow during a sloggy December rain.
First Fall Colors on the Boardwalk at Park Preserve
Explore over 240 acres at the Park Preserve, a living museum of forests, wetlands, meadows, and creeks.
Our American Mink
The mink is a bioindicator for aquatic environments.
Lazarus of the Amphibian World
The North American wood frog is freeze-tolerant.
The Ever So Adaptable Fisher
Fishers are a lot more resilient than anyone had expected.
The Thrush in My Woods
The Wood Thrush often sings until nightfall.
The Mysterious Merlin
Merlins seem to be a particularly adaptable species.
The Surprisingly Common Bobcat
Although bobcats are secretive and solitary, they are fairly common.
Interpretive Sign: McIlroy Preserve
The combination of kame and kettle glacial geology, elevation, calcium-rich waters, and cool temperatures is responsible for the unusual wetland plant communities found here.
Interpretive Signs: Park Preserve, Part 1
The Roy H Park Preserve strategically connects Yellow Barn and Hammond Hill State Forests, and a Cornell University natural area.
Interpretive Signs: Park Preserve, Part 2
The diversity of habitats found within this preserve are the result of its landscape features as well as the land use history of the site.
Interpretive Signs: Park Preserve, Part 3
The diversity of habitats found within this preserve are the result of its landscape features as well as the land use history of the site.
Interpretive Sign: Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve
Kame and kettle glacial geology and a history of human use, are responsible for the high species diversity here.
Interpretive Sign: VanRiper Nature Preserve
Undisturbed shoreline habitat is rare along Cayuga Lake, yet in demand by migrating birds (and nature lovers).
Handle with Care! Snapping Turtles
The snapping turtle appears prehistoric because it is.
The Honey Bee: Our Friend in Danger
No one knows why the bees are dying or how to save them.
Winter for Black-Capped Chickadees
How does this tiny bird survive subzero temperatures?
Teasel: Our Prickly Relationship
Hard to eradicate from the landscape, but also useful and beautiful.
