The Paleontological Research Institution, its Museum of the Earth and Cayuga Nature Center are dedicated to Earth science and environmental education. The Community Accessibility Program (CAP) was developed and continues to grow, based on our community’s needs and our capacity to fill them, to ensure that Earth science and environmental education is available to everyone regardless of resources or special needs. CAP consists of six ways to experience all we have to offer:

 

Pay-What-You-Wish Weekends

In lieu of paying admission on the first weekend of the month visitors are instead invited to make a donation to help support Museum of the Earth’s exhibits and programming if they would like.

Pay-What-You-Wish weekends are sponsored by BorgWarner.

 

YNAP - Young Naturalist Access Program

YNAP provides young people facing difficult circumstances (under the age of 17) in Tompkins County and boarding counties with free access to a one-year Youth Membership to the Paleontological Research Institution. This membership which provides YNAP members and their families/caregivers all of the benefits of a regular PRI membership plus free access to all of our ticketed events, such as local Fossil Field Trips.

YNAP also offers members the opportunity to take advantage of a free week of summer camp at the Cayuga Nature Center.

 

Agency Memberships

This unique membership level allows community agencies to give the individuals and families they serve access to the Museum and Nature Center. Agency memberships are available to select 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations and government agencies offering human and/or social services. Benefits of Agency Membership include: unlimited free admission passes to pass on to constituents, unlimited group admission with advance notice, and discounts on programming, events and field trips with advance reservation.

Email membership@priweb.org to learn more.

 

Library Access Program (LAP)

PRI’s Library Access Program (LAP) gives libraries in the Finger Lakes Library System (FLLS) and beyond the opportunity to provide their cardholders with free general family admission passes to the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center. The LAP allows cardholders of participating libraries to check out these passes just as they might borrow a book. In the case of special event pricing, LAP pass holders will be entitled to member discounts.

Check your local library to see if they have a PRI Library Access Pass available for check out.

 

Museums for All

The Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center are active participants in the Museums for All programs. Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,300 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. At the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center, visitors who present their EBT card will receive $1 admission per person for up to four people per EBT card.

 

Blue Star Museums

Museum of the Earth is a Blue Star Museum. Blue Star Museums open their doors for free to currently serving military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from May 18th to September 2nd.

At the Museum of the Earth, we also extend this special admission offer to veterans and retired military and their families.

Simply show proof of ID when you check in at the admissions desk when you check in.

From September 3rd - May 17th, we offer 50% off admission for military, veterans and their families.