ELMIRA – According to a press release, the Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum has been awarded $1,000,000 in funds allotted from the American Rescue Plan Act following a recommendation of County Executive Chris Moss to the Chemung County Legislature.
The funds will be dedicated toward the construction of an ADA-compliant canopy walkway to serve as an educational resource in forests and environmental sustainability, as well as a unique recreational asset.
The canopy walkway project was announced by Tanglewood earlier this year and has long been envisioned by Director Elaine Smith, and being planned with the help of Meg Lowman, known as “Canopy Meg”. An Elmira native, Lowman is recognized globally as a pioneer in forest canopy ecology, having designed canopy walkways around the world.
The project aims for towers 60-80 feet high that are connected by walkways up to 300 feet long, and would be one of only two such walkways in New York State.
The anticipated total cost for the project is $3,500,000, and the balance is being raised with grants and donations. The hope is to break ground in 2024 with completion in early 2025.