The Friends Of The Sterling Nature Center.
The Friends of the Sterling Nature Center is a devoted volunteer group that strives to uphold and advance the Sterling Nature Center’s conservation efforts. Established in 1997, our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization played a crucial role in the transformation of the Sterling Nature Center into a cherished community resource. Our mission is to foster educational and recreational opportunities that encourage a deeper connection between people and the natural environment that surrounds them.
The Center’s story began in 1994 when Cayuga County acquired this ecologically and historically significant land with the vision of preserving its natural beauty. In 2000, following years of thoughtful planning, the land was officially designated a County Park.
Our dedication to the Center’s growth has remained steadfast. We have contributed to the development of its trail systems, supported engaging programs and events, and most recently helped secure Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grants that made transformative improvements possible.
Thanks to this support, the Sterling Nature Center now features a state-of-the-art Resiliency Education Building, which opened in 2024. This energy-efficient, climate-resilient interpretive center serves as a welcoming hub for learning and exploration. With expanded space for exhibits, community events, and school programs, it allows us to reach more people with our message of environmental stewardship. The building also includes an outdoor classroom and green infrastructure elements that highlight sustainable practices in action.
As passionate nature lovers dedicated to sustainability and community, we invite you to join us. Let’s explore, learn, and protect the natural world—together.
A little more about our history
Nestled along two miles of pristine Lake Ontario shoreline in Cayuga County, the Sterling Nature Center is a place where history, nature, and community come together. With over 1,400 acres of protected land and more than nine miles of scenic trails, the Center offers year-round opportunities to explore forests, wetlands, and dramatic lakeside bluffs.
The land’s rich history dates back to the late 1700s, when it was part of Town Lots 4, 5, and 6. For over a century, it supported a vibrant agricultural community, eventually becoming the homestead of Christopher and Anne Jensvold in 1933. Christopher, a Spanish-American War veteran and successful businessman, lived on the land until 1959. Over the next several decades, the land changed hands, with plans by Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) to develop power plants in the 1970s. Thanks to strong public opposition and the efforts of the Sterling Task Force, those plans were abandoned, and the land was preserved.
In 1994, Cayuga County acquired the property, and by 1998, conservation easements were secured through a partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, safeguarding wetlands, shoreline, and critical habitats. This paved the way for the formation of the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center in 1997 and the site's official designation as a Cayuga County Park in 2000.
A New Era: The Interpretive Center
In April 2024, the Sterling Nature Center celebrated the completion of its brand-new interpretive center, a $3.2 million project funded through New York State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). This milestone enhances climate resiliency, boosts tourism, and supports environmental education throughout the region.
Designed as an accessible gateway to the nature preserve, the new center maximizes views of Lake Ontario and features expanded space for interactive exhibits and educational programming focused on green infrastructure, lakeshore protection, and climate resilience.
With more than 35,000 visitors annually, the Sterling Nature Center continues to be a cherished destination for nature lovers, families, students, and outdoor adventurers. The new center strengthens our ability to engage and inspire the public in meaningful ways.