Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) environment programs engage individuals and communities in conserving and sustaining the quality, diversity, and accessibility of New York's natural resources and environmental assets. 

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Featured Programs

To learn about the programs that are offered in your area, visit or contact a local CCE office.

Soil sample pulled from field

A team of Climate Smart Farming educators and researchers help NYS farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production and energy use, increase farm resiliency to extreme weather and climate variability, and sustainably increase productivity and income.

Educator with group of volunteers in NYC park with city skyline in background

Cutting edge and research-based, the Climate Steward program teaches volunteers strategies for increasing their community’s resilience to climate change, and reducing their community’s impacts on the climate.

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This program engages educators and youth in authentic inquiry and experiential learning as they explore the natural environment.

Group of people with hard hats in front of forest

A network of over 140 experienced master forest owner volunteers provides private woodland owners of New York State with the information and encouragement necessary to manage their forest holdings wisely.

Karen Snover-Clift, professor of plant science (SIPS) and Jennifer Kotary of the NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation assess Oak Wilt in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

This science-based training program is designed to teach adults about New York’s natural resources, empowering them to educate others and participate in on-the-ground conservation and monitoring projects.

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NYSG is a cooperative program of the State University of New York (SUNY) and Cornell University which promotes the informed stewardship of coastal resources through integrated research, education, and extension services.

Research Spotlight

Solar Energy

New York state has set ambitious goals to wean its economy off fossil fuels by 2050 while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 85%. To help reach those goals, Cornell researchers are partnering with CCE to study ways the state’s mix of sun and farmland will factor into plans.

Research Spotlight

The Digital Divide

The National Science Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to Cornell engineers and researchers to help them bridge New York’s digital divide by designing the nation’s first statewide Internet of Things public infrastructure.

Research Spotlight

Nature Rx

Associate Professor of Plant Science, Donald A. Rakow shares the health benefits of getting outdoors, He says, "a wealth of evidence in recent years shows that being active in nature, just sitting outside in nature, or even looking at a picture of nature have benefits to your overall wellbeing." 

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Partner organizations and programs

Programs throughout Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences partner with CCE educators on environment, natural resources, sustainable energy and climate change work.

Stories

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News

New report on conservation, land-use in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed
The new report, Natural Resource Protection in the Hudson Valley: Municipal Conservation Stories, presents case studies from seven Hudson Valley towns and highlights the experiences, challenges, and successes of elected officials and municipal...
  • Department of Global Development
  • Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Environment
Oneida Lake

News

A three-year telemetry study focusing on the movements and habitat use of adult walleyes in Oneida Lake will be conducted beginning in the fall of 2023. Specific study objectives are: Identify walleye spawning sites that we are currently unaware...
  • Biological Field Station
  • Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Natural Resources
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Spotlight

Academic focus: Computational and community-based sustainable solutions. Research summary: Broadly, I explore how computational models can help communities achieve their envisioned futures. My research is centered on designing sustainable...
  • American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Computational Biology