PRI’s actions in response to COVID-19

March 17, 2020

We are currently closed to the public until further notice.

We are closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), NYS Department of Health, and our local health department to help ensure that we are taking appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, as well as doing our part to try to help in the mitigation of the COVID-19 virus.  PRI will continue to evaluate the situation and will make decisions whether to extend closures as appropriate. The following are the measures being taken at each of our sites:

At the Paleontological Research Institution’s offices in Palmer Hall

We are moving the majority of our workforce to remote work arrangements and our offices are closed to the public for the immediate future. You can still reach us during normal business hours at 607-273-6623. If the person you are trying to reach is not onsite, our system is set up to respond to your messages as soon as possible. You can find our staff phone and email addresses here.

At Museum of the Earth

The Museum of the Earth is closed to the public until further notice. All public programs have been canceled for this period. PRI hosts many excellent resources on Earth, life, and climate sciences online, check them out here.

At Cayuga Nature Center

The Cayuga Nature Center will remain closed until further notice. Our Spring Break Camp has also been canceled. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]

During this time, we understand the large need for public spaces and hiking areas where community members can relax & maintain social distancing efforts. Because of this, we are opening our 5+ miles of trails up during this time without charge. Trails are open at the Cayuga Nature Center and Smith Woods in Trumansburg, 10 am – 5 pm every day. 

Your support is vital at this time

The current closures and program cancellations are creating a financial stress for many organizations, including our own. During this time, while we are maintaining live animal care, grounds, and facilities, gifts of any size are always appreciated. If you would like to support our continuing mission, please go to our Support Us page.

About PRI

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) 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. PRI and its two public venues for education, the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center, are separate from, but formally affiliated with Cornell University, and interact closely with numerous University departments in research, teaching, and public outreach.