The Ithaca College Natural Lands (ICNL), a conservation reserve of more than 560 acres, offers the public beautiful spaces to explore and connect with nature. Made up of four protected areas, the ICNL contains wetland and forest ecosystems that support diverse communities of flora and fauna. Several trees in the ICNL are more than 200 years old and are species recognized as rare within New York State.
IC plays a vital role in the region’s land conservation, working alongside the New York State Parks system, U.S. Forest Service, Finger Lakes Land Trust, and Cornell University. The ICNL spaces include 365 acres surrounding the campus, 67 acres adjacent to Buttermilk Falls State Park, and two conservation easements that protect 85 acres in perpetuity. Open to the community, these spaces provide a tranquil escape and a valuable resource for learning, all while supporting the college’s commitment to sustain the natural world for future generations.