PRI Annual Giving Campaign

Our Mission  The Paleontological Research Institution pursues and integrates education and research, and interprets the history and systems of the Earth and its life, to increase knowledge, educate society, and encourage wise stewardship of the Earth.

Thanks to our generous supporters, PRI is able to serve in so many ways.

Here are some specific examples of what together we have been able to do this year.

Cayuga Nature Center Summer Camp  “In recognition of over 30 summers of conservation education,” the Nature Center’s summer camp program received the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board’s 13th Annual Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award.

The Cayuga Nature Center and the Museum of the Earth welcome visitors from near and far to learn about the history life on Earth and the ecology and climate of the Cayuga Lake Basin.

Museum of the Earth Two of the Smithsonian’s most famous statues, a papier-mache Stegosaurus nicknamed “Steggy” and a life-size model of a soaring pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus nicknamed “Amelia” have been transferred to the Museum and are now installed in Dino Zone.

Research and Collections  PRI’s Amino acid racemization (AAR) lab is the only AAR dating facility on the east coast of North America, and the only lab in the world conducting gas chromatography AAR. PRI is a leader in the emerging field of conservation paleobiology, which involves applying paleontological data and techniques to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Publications  PRI publishes Bulletins of American Paleontology, the oldest paleontological journal in the Western Hemisphere, begun in 1895, as well as books and field guides for the general public.

Teacher Professional Development PRI’s NSF-funded project to develop a nation-wide series of Teacher-Friendly Guides™ to regional Earth system science focuses on seven regions within the United States. The project also provides teacher professional development programming, online tools, and virtual fieldwork experiences. These Guides are available to educators in a bound, printed format, or as free downloadable PDF documents.

Environmental Education and Biodiversity Surveys A project to create a list of insect species of the Cayuga Basin was started in Fall 2015, and involved New Roots Charter School students who helped set up insect traps. A BioBlitz in partnership with Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science will take place in September 2017..

Community Accessibility Program (CAP) serves the community by lowering barriers to visiting the Museum and Nature Center and participating in programs such as Summer Camp and special events. More than 2,503 individuals were served this year through these programs, which include Agency memberships, free admission days, Young Naturalist Access Program, Museums for All, and our new Library Access Passes.

Exhibitions  In February 2016, The Museum Association of New York (MANY) selected the Museum of the Earth’s temporary exhibition, Quirks of Nature, to receive an Award of Merit for Innovation in Interpretation. 

With your support, PRI helps to increase science literacy and encourage wise stewardship of the Earth. 

Thank you for your support and for believing in the value of our work.