Welcome to the Discovery Trail
Atoms to artifacts, foxes to fossils, robins to rhododendrons, sculpture to storytellers – Ithaca's Discovery Trail has something for everyone!
From peaceful walks to famous talks, from hands-on fun to genealogical research, there's so much to see and do along the Discovery Trail. These eight fascinating sites are an easy drive from downtown Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Cayuga Lake and other Finger Lakes attractions.
The Discovery Trail Partnership is a group of educational organizations based in Ithaca, NY. The only organization of its kind, the Discovery Trail promotes awareness and understanding of the connections among art, history, literature, science, and the natural world.
Discovery Trail News
The Getaway Guy has visited Cayuga Nature Center and the Johnson Museum of Art. Click on the link and scroll to November 17 for the Museum Getaway and October 13 for the Tree-House Getaway to view the videos.
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The Tompkins County Public Library is pleased to announce Sunday hours of 1 to 5 pm through April 1.
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February 4 to 21, 2012 at The History Center. As voter identification laws are enacted around the country and in commemoration of African American History Month, The History Center in Tompkins County, Cornell University and Ithaca College are partnering with John Brown Lives! to bring Dreaming of Timbuctoo to Ithaca, a traveling exhibition that delves into a little-known voting rights saga in pre-Civil War New York.
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Imagine exploring a watershed by diving into your backyard creek and taking an underwater journey all the way to the ocean. Embark on a journey through watersheds to see how everyone's actions affect the health of our ocean. Enjoy interacting with 3-D watershed models, piloting a full-size submersible from mountain stream to ocean, guiding water safely through a hazardous maze, diverting pollutants as they travel through storm-water drains, playing with early education exhibits inside a clubhouse, and many more engaging interactive exhibits. On display February 4 through May.
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Enroll today to learn all about birds of the Cayuga Lake region from Wednesday, March 21 to Sunday, May 13, 2012. The full class consists of lectures, weekend field trips and special overnight trips to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Cape May, NJ. To get an idea of what the course is like, you can visit the class website or watch the video.
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Ever wanted to know more about the Museum of the Earth's 44-foot long Right Whale? Now is your chance! Whales: From the Depths of the National Geographic Collection presents the best sea mammal photography from National Geographic's extensive archives. Paired with specimens from the Paleontological Research Institution's (PRI) collection, content from its scientists, and ocean sound recordings from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bioacoustic Research Program, these dramatic photographs from renowned marine wildlife photographers' intimate and close whale encounters tell the long story of whales' life on Earth. From January 26 to June 4, meet Right Whale #2030's millions of ancestors that have lived in every one of the world's oceans.
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Artist Jenny Pope will explore printmaking techniques in this workshop for adults. Participants will make color reduction woodcuts, a great way to make colorful multiples. Tuesdays for 4 weeks: January 31, February 7, 14, and 21. Fees: $70 Johnson Museum Members and students/$80 nonmembers. PLUS $21 for materials ($15 payable to the Johnson Museum + $6 payable to the instructor). Pre-registration and payment. Call 607 255-6464.
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Upcoming Trail Events
Carl Ostendarp will give a tour of his solo exhibition, Fat Cakes/Myopic Void.
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Date: Thursday, February 2
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Place: Johnson Museum of Art
The Dreaming of Timbuctoo Exhibition explores an 1846 abolitionist scheme of justice and benevolence in which 3,000 African American men each received 40 acres of Adirondack land from Madison County philanthropist Gerrit Smith. Among the grantees were 17 Tompkins County residents.
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Date: Friday, February 3
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Place: The History Center
Opening night for the exhibit: The Art and Science of Quilting. Curated by Marcy Rosenkrantz, this exhibit features the work of 20 local fiber artists.
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Date: Friday February 3
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Place: Tompkins County Public Library, BorgWarner Community Room
Spend happy hour at the Museum of the Earth! The sounds of the ocean will combine with the sounds of the group Salty Pink, a duo comprised of Amelia Sauter and Leah Houghtaling, for the debut of their song Right Whale. The song's lyrics are adapted from a National Geographic article by Douglas Chadwick. Additionally, Salty Pink will fill the Museum with their self-described eclectic music. Light refreshments will be served. Suggested donation of $10 in support of educational programming.
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Date: Friday, February 3
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Place: Museum of the Earth
Hike our wooded trails under the big sky of our back fields or around our ponds. Find out who is awake and stirring under the moonlight. No need to bring a flashlight you will be surprised how much you see without one!
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Date: Friday, February 3
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Cayuga Nature Center
Cayuga Nature Center
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Cornell Plantations
The History Center
Johnson Museum of Art
Museum of the Earth
Sciencenter
Tompkins County Public Library
