Finger Lakes ReUse
The Finger Lakes ReUse center is a destination for residents to donate and buy things like building materials, electronics, housewares and furniture.
Finger Lakes ReUse is a collaboration between Tompkins County Solid Waste and Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the organization has received a federal grant to establish a “deconstruction service for houses, rather than demolition,”Cohen said.
Sustainable Tompkins
Cornell University is also a part of local efforts to promote sustainability. The draft mission of Sustainable Tompkins is: to engage Tompkins County participants in applying a sustainability lens to a range of issues through coordinated, coherent, long-term systems planning, building on existing programs, efforts, studies and producing tangible practical projects.
Tompkins Renewable Energy Education Alliance (TREEA)
TREEA is an action-oriented group of educators and activists dedicated to educating the local community about energy options and their real costs. Members of the group come from Cornell University, Ithaca College, Ecovillage at Ithaca, Tompkins County, and Kyoto Now! Their current projects include educating the public about the need for Wind Power and increasing the acceptance of wind turbine visibility at the community level. Meetings are open to anyone interested, and take place on the last Wednesday of each month in Room 259 of the Center for Natural Sciences on the Ithaca College campus. Meeting time is spent educating themselves on the relevant literature, keeping informed about community actions, and brainstorming for future activities. TREEA welcomes new members and invites anyone interested in renewable energy to participate.
EcoVillage
EcoVillage is an intentional and non-profit community with the goal of exploring and modeling "innovative approaches to ecological and social sustainability". They work towards this goal through cohousing neighborhoods, a 175-acre organic farm, an education center, and conserving local green space. EcoVillage has received national attention.
Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy (CRESP)
CRESP is a nonsectarian, action-based educational organization with its roots in religious tradition, spirituality and ethical thought. Their mission is to seek the active participation of concerned individuals at Cornell, in Ithaca, and beyond in fostering vital and caring communities to provide a foundation for a world of peace, mutual understanding, and respect for all life.
Cayuga Nature Center
The Cayuga Nature Center is a short drive from campus on the West side of Cayuga Lake. There are animal exhibits, a 44ft treetop tower, nature trails, even a separate farm and composting program. They offer lots of great educational programming, including through a partnership with the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute.
Fingerlakes Land Trust
Through a variety of means, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has provided protection for over 8000 acres of wetlands, streams, meadows, forests, farmlands and shrublands throughout the Finger Lakes Region. With over 1500 members and 200 active volunteers, the Finger Lakes Land Trust maintains 24 nature preserves and 51 conservation easements.
Engineers for a Sustainable World
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is an international non-profit network working to reduce poverty and improve global sustainability. Every day, people around the world struggle to gain access to clean water, food and shelter for their children, and an education to build a better future. ESW mobilizes students and professionals to seek solutions for a sustainable world through public outreach, higher education, and collaborative design projects.
