Key Ecological Features

Waterfall in the Ithaca College Natural Resource Reserve. [Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Chen]

The reserve has both an upland and lowland wildlife habitat.  In the uplands there are spring seeps which contribute to the abundance of wildlife in the area.  Towards the bottom of the reserve gravel eskers surround one of the largest springs in Tompkins County.  There is also a waterfall, plateau type land and an oak hickory stand and maple beech hemlock stand.  In some areas of this reserve there are trees that are about 150 to 200 years old.

Wildlife species in the reserve:

Bird species including,

Hawks  [Accipiter]

Owls

Warblers

Woodpeckers

Mammal species, including:

Raccoons   [Procyon lotor]

White Tailed Deer  [Odocoileus virginianus]

Gray Squirrel  [Sciurus carolinensis]

Bears

Bobcats  [Lynx rufus]

Coyotes  [Canis latrans]

Future Plans:

Professional Forester, Mike DeMunn plans to:

Create forestry education plots

Create wildlife ponds

Make small clear cuts to manage disease and promote diverse species growth