SUNY Chancellor King Announces Outdoors for All Grant Awards

October 14, 2026

SUNY's Outdoors for All Program Designed to Engage Students with Nature and Outdoor Activities that Make Campuses More Inclusive and Welcoming

Grants Awarded to 14 SUNY Institutions

Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced the grant recipients from SUNY's Outdoors for All program. The program is designed to empower more students, and New Yorkers of all ages and from all backgrounds, with opportunities to enjoy the state's natural beauty. Through the program, 14 campuses will receive grants to facilitate year-round outdoor opportunities and encourage ties between co-curricular activities and academic and career opportunities in sustainability.

"There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we are proud of our work to ensure our students have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors that bring students together and build community," said SUNY Chancellor King. "SUNY's Outdoors for All grant program demonstrates how our campuses are leading the way in enhancing outdoor learning opportunities for our students and increasing access to outdoors spaces. I look forward to seeing how our campuses use this funding to continue inspiring New Yorkers to take advantage of all our great state has to offer."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Through the steadfast support of Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY is better able to advance efforts that empower our students, and all New Yorkers, to enjoy New York State's vibrant outdoors spaces. We are proud of the work of our campuses to increase opportunities for all New Yorkers to access our state's natural beauty, and we applaud the Outdoors for All grant recipients for their innovative plans and hard work."

Recipients of SUNY's Outdoors for All grants will use the funding to develop new outdoor programming, create new and/or improve existing outdoor learning and recreational spaces, provide for accessibility, and purchase equipment and supplies that can be used to engage more students with nature and improve participation in outdoor activities both on- and off-campus. In 2025, during the inaugural year of the program, 13 SUNY campuses received Outdoors for All Grants.

This year, 14 campuses will receive funding through the program. The campuses selected to receive funding this year include:

SUNY Buffalo State University will work to make bicycling a more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable way for students to reach and enjoy outdoor spaces around campus with the Bengals Biking Buffalo program. The program will provide students with opportunities to learn basic biking skills in a safe, supportive environment and gain the confidence to ride on local pathways.
Cayuga Community College will incorporate Auburn Campus trail areas and Fulton Campus walking routes into self-guided wellness experiences. These routes will create easy opportunities for students to engage with outdoor spaces between classes and throughout the academic year.
Clinton Community College will develop accessible and inviting outdoor areas that promote student engagement, wellness, learning, and community through the installation of ADA-accessible ramps at two existing gazebos, improvements and updates to existing signage, and Adirondack chairs for additional seating.
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech will build structures to increase the accessibility of the Research Forest by creating recognizable destinations and gathering places where students can participate in classes, clubs, guided activities, informal recreation, and community events.
SUNY Cortland will make improvements to Hoxie Gorge, including the addition of fixed and temporary sanitation facilities, updated interpretive and directional trail signage and a newly cleared, marked, and stabilized arboretum trail loop.
SUNY Delhi will improve access and inclusion at the Outdoor Education Center and existing Bronco Walking Trail, and work to increase student participation in outdoor activities aimed at increasing their connection with nature, wellness, and applied learning.
Jefferson Community College will establish a campuswide outdoor equipment hub and expand affordable, beginner-friendly outdoor programming across the North Country. The equipment hub will combine reusable equipment, a secure storage facility, transportation support, inclusive program design, and academic and career connections.
Monroe Community College will offer a series of free, organized excursions to destinations such as Letchworth State Park, Mendon Ponds Park, Durand Eastman Park, and Genesee Valley Park.
SUNY Morrisville will transform an outdoor area on campus into a weatherproof outdoor space designed for student studying, mental health and relaxation, and bookable use by student clubs, organizations, and campus services.
SUNY New Paltz will support physical improvements and programming that encourage students to use the Eco Art Labs as an outdoor classroom, recreational space, and community gathering place.
North Country Community College will transform an existing outdoor classroom into an accessible hub for student life where students can gather for open-mic nights, art exhibits, and other events regardless of their mobility level.
SUNY College of Optometry will establish "The Nest," a nature connection hub specifically designed for an urban health science campus with limited access to outdoor space.
State University of New York at Stony Brook will create the Stony Brook Arboretum Wellness & Discovery Trail, an accessible and interactive outdoor experience that will connect students, faculty, staff, and community members with the University's natural environment. The trail will include physical and digital map identifying the walking route, approximate distance and walking time, accessible pathways, benches and rest areas, significant tress, pollinator gardens, native plant areas, sustainability features, and other points of interest.
Tompkins Cortland Community College will transform a furnished structure into an intentional outdoor learning environment through wayfinding, identity signage, classroom reservation designation, and a mural.

The 14 campuses will each receive grants of up to $8,000 to invest in improvements or activities that promote sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity, wellness, and community development.

Cayuga Community College President Brian Durant said, "This generous support from SUNY will allow us to reinvigorate outdoor areas on both Cayuga campuses, further strengthening our students' connections to campus and enhancing outdoor instructional opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, these improvements will enrich outdoor accessibility and further emphasize the importance of our campus community's mental health and wellness," said Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant. "We greatly appreciate this support from SUNY and look forward to seeing our community enjoying these enhancements in the years ahead."

Clinton Community College President Ken Knelly said, "Receiving this grant is an affirmation of the work being done across our institution to provide students with access to quality experiences that uplift their educational environment. These funds will help us provide our students with access to the outdoors to foster positive mental health, social opportunities, and community experience. We sincerely appreciate this support and look forward to the positive impact it will generate."

SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum said, "Outdoor education provides transformative learning experiences and it highlights the importance of protecting our environment. On a local level, SUNY's support will help us improve Hoxie Gorge, a natural gem that affords many opportunities for our community, from recreation to undergraduate research. We are very pleased to make the outdoors more accessible for all."

Monroe Community College President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, "The Outdoors for All program aligns perfectly with MCC's mission to create pathways to opportunity. By connecting students and community members with New York's natural spaces, sustainability education, and career exploration, we are opening doors to experiences that can enrich lives, strengthen communities, and inspire future leaders."

North Country Community College President Joe Keegan said, "North Country Community College is grateful to Chancellor King and his team for the additional funding to help transform our existing outdoor classroom into a vibrant, fully accessible hub for student life. It advances our mission to build on the unique natural surroundings of our location in the Adirondacks while nurturing academic and personal success for students of all backgrounds and abilities."

SUNY College of Optometry President David Troilo said, "At SUNY College of Optometry, we recognize the importance of supporting student well-being and creating opportunities for students to connect with one another and the world around them. This grant will allow us to develop a dedicated space featuring living plants, propagation stations, and educational resources focused on wellness, sustainability, and mindfulness. It will also support outdoor activities in partnership with New York City parks and environmental organizations. By bringing together environmental awareness, personal well-being, and community engagement, this initiative reinforces our commitment to educating future optometrists who understand the broader factors that contribute to health and quality of life."

Tompkins Cortland Community College President Amy Kremenek said, "Tompkins Cortland Community College's campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the state, and this grant will give our students and community members another way to enjoy that beauty through the creation of a new outdoor learning space. Thank you to SUNY and Chancellor King for creating this program, which supports our belief that learning can, and should, take place anywhere and everywhere."

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair, said, "Not every student grows up with a trail outside the back door or a park down the block. For some, college is the first place the outdoors feels within reach. The Outdoors for All grants will help 14 campuses open that door wider. A good education can occur outside the classroom, too. I thank Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for making it happen."

State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, said, "Congrats to the 14 recipients, including my alma mater SUNY New Paltz, of the State University of New York's Outdoor for All grants. It is important that we invest in sustainability at a time when we need to protect the environment more than ever. I believe this year-round program will encourage more students to think more about the environment through their interactions with the outdoors."

State Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair, said, "New York is home to breathtaking natural beauty, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it. By expanding access to outdoor recreation and learning, SUNY is helping students from all backgrounds enjoy the benefits of nature while fostering a deeper appreciation for our environment. I commend Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for this investment in student well-being and our shared environmental future."

SUNY has worked to advance leadership in sustainability and climate solutions. Recently, SUNY announced major sustainability progress across the SUNY System, including campus projects that are reducing energy use in every region in the state. Additionally, SUNY also recently announced the second cohort of Sustainability Faculty Fellows who will work to strengthen curricular programs on climate and sustainability for students and faculty across SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. In April, SUNY celebrated progress in achieving the goals of its inaugural Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, which was adopted at the beginning of 2025 and provides a framework for decarbonizing the SUNY System, and for creating the next generation of climate leaders through education, experiential learning, research, workforce development, and civic engagement. The plan includes 156 specific actions and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, doubling climate research, strengthening climate education, increasing green workforce development, and expanding engagement and applied learning opportunities for students.

To further advance climate and sustainability, SUNY announced the recipients of the SUNY Sustainability Awards, which recognize undergraduate students throughout the SUNY System for the work they have done to advance sustainability on their campuses, in February. In March 2024, SUNY announced a uniform policy to phase out single-use plastics across the SUNY system including plastic bags, beverage bottles, food service products, utensils, plastic wrap, and packaging films.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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SUNY Chancellor King Announces Outdoors for All Grant Awards

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