Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the $3.2 million Sterling Nature Center and Resiliency Education Building in Cayuga County, New York. Funded by the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), the new facility aims to enhance climate awareness and educational opportunities along Lake Ontario’s shoreline. The nature center, part of a public preserve, will focus on increasing climate resiliency and boosting tourism in the region.
During the unveiling, Governor Hochul emphasized New York’s commitment to addressing climate change and rebuilding shoreline communities. The Sterling Nature Center, spanning over 1,400 acres and featuring nine miles of trails, is the largest in Central New York and attracts over 35,000 visitors annually. The center now includes advanced green technologies to reduce maintenance costs and expand educational programming.
The project also addresses erosion and stormwater issues exacerbated by high water levels in Lake Ontario, with $804,500 in additional funding aimed at trail repairs and implementing green infrastructure. Andrew Joyce, the Town of Sterling Supervisor, praised the project’s completion, highlighting its importance to local economic development and environmental resilience. The state’s REDI program has launched multiple projects to improve shoreline resilience and support regional economies affected by climate-related events.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].