The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History |

Active Projects

We are hard at work on conservation, education and research efforts in New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, conducting surveys for at-risk or imperiled species like the Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus), gathering information on indicator species, creating management plans...
Read More
Blog

Our blog features constant updates on a variety of subjects relating to education, conservation, exhibits, special events, and much more. You can expect to read about art, birds and birding, weather, dragonflies and damselflies, reptiles and amphibians, literature and media,...
Read More
Current Exhibits

Opening Reception and Book Premiere – Friday, August 17; 5-7 pm at RTPI “The Extinct Birds Project” by artist Alberto Rey The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) will present a new exhibition by artist Alberto Rey this fall. The Extinct Birds Project...
Read More
Tropical Research & Conservation

RTPI staff carries out several active research and education initiatives in Central America. We coordinate student research programs in Panama and Costa Rica, run active banding stations in those countries to study migratory birds on their wintering grounds and carry out...
Read More
Action Plan

As part of our ongoing strategic planning efforts, RTPI is excited to release a 5-year action plan describing the mission-driven programming that we are developing in all three of our focal areas: Art, Education and Conservation. This Action Plan outlines how the synergy...
Read More
The Peterson Collections

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is the only official institutional steward of the life works of Roger Tory Peterson. RTPI is the place to find his art, correspondence, film, libraries, study skins, and so much more. We are the sole authorized holder of these works. Here is...
Read More
Education

RTPI specializes in providing people with nature-based learning experiences rooted in the places where they live. We work with students of all ages and backgrounds through a wide variety of programs both here at our Jamestown, New York headquarters and throughout the country....
Read More
Buffalo Meet-Up at the Zoo

BUFFALO MEET-UP AT THE ZOO August 20, 2018 Join us to see the new “Boomerang Island” exhibit of over 300 birds from the Australian Outback Buffalo Zoo’s newest exhibit, Boomerang Island is now open! This temporary interactive exhibit is only here for the...
Read More
Nature Store

RTPI’s Nature Store features an array of books and other products that are unique to this area. Visitors to our store will find the newest and most popular Peterson Field Guide titles, signed, limited-edition Peterson prints, Peterson notecards, bird-friendly coffee, faire...
Read More

"Our exhibits are changing! Galleries are unavailable for viewing starting on Wednesday, August 8th. Join us in celebrating Alberto Rey's Extinct Birds Project at an opening reception on Friday, August 17th from 5-7pm!"

The Institute

In 1984, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History was founded in Peterson’s hometown of Jamestown, New York, as an educational institution charged with preserving Peterson’s lifetime body of work and making it available to the world for educational purposes. RTPI holds a Permanent Charter from the New York State Education Department and is a 501(c)(3) institution located at 311 Curtis St.

Project Wild America

2015 marked the 60^th Anniversary of Roger Tory Peterson’s book Wild America in which he and his close friend British naturalist James Fisher showed us that nature is everywhere – if you know when, where and how to look and listen. Last year also saw the start of RTPI’s Project Wild America intent on continuing that work. Various programs are currently under way in 2017 as part of Project Wild America, connecting people with nature in their own backyard.

Roger Tory Peterson

Roger Tory Peterson was the pre-eminent American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the natural world to the public in the 20th century. Over a long career that began with nature study in the seventh grade in Jamestown, New York, he observed, recorded and published for lay audiences the incredible beauty and diversity of plants and animals from North America and around the world.

Multi Media Bar

Previous Next

I barely missed my first Snowy Owl of the season earlier today, but my consolation prize...

As the days get colder and we enter the season of giving thanks, I know I am thankful...

What is the first thing you hear in your mind when walking into the woods? The rustling...

Here’s a look at a little bit of lingering green, thanks to some holly trees, with...

What outdoor adventures will you be pursuing this weekend? The air may be chilly, but...

This tiny maple seemed like a perfect expression of all the cycles of...

Don’t mind me, just feeling that fall...

Anecdotal Monarch reports continue to be encouraging across North America! From what I...

Here’s a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) shot from this summer to add a...

Are you following us on Facebook? If not be sure to check out our page and have a listen...

It feels like it took the fall foliage a while, but now we have plenty to soak in and...

October is a terrific month to spot some falcons flying by in migration, and like with...

Can a sunset look like autumn or Halloween? I think so because I think this one does!...

Sparrow diversity will be increasing by the day as we move through October and the...

Active Projects

Blog

Current Exhibits

Tropical Research & Conservation

Action Plan

The Peterson Collections

Education

Buffalo Meet-Up at the Zoo

Nature Store

"Our exhibits are changing! Galleries are unavailable for viewing starting on Wednesday, August 8th. Join us in celebrating Alberto Rey's Extinct Birds Project at an opening reception on Friday, August 17th from 5-7pm!"

The Institute

Project Wild America

Roger Tory Peterson

From The Blog

Multi Media Bar

Gifts to Support Nature Education

Visitor Hours

Find Us Elsewhere

Join Our Email List!