ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum recently received a million dollar grant from Chemung County through the American Rescue Plan. The award will go towards funding a new on site  canopy walkway. The $3,500,000 walkway project will serve as a tourist attraction, educational and recreational tool, and enhance life in the Southern Finger Lakes and beyond.  

"We can kind of see a diagram a sketch up of what its going to look like its going to be over nine hundred feet long and at its highest point its going to be seventy feet in the air and it gives a really good idea of what your are going to be seeing up here, how you're going to be out in the woods be able to be up in the canopy, get a whole new perspective for our nature that we have out here." says marketing and camp co-director, Ryan Donnelly. 

By installing the new walkway the goal is to provide a new experience for tourists and those here at home.

"We think this is a great way not only to introduce more tourism to the area but also for the people who are already here to come up and get a new experience for nature."

Canopy walkways are seen in other tourist destinations in the country. By bringing it to the Southern Tier it saves time for those who aren't avid travelers.

"We have canopy walkways you know out in Vermont up in the Adirondacks that area, but we want something kind of closer for people that don't want to take that time to travel all the way out there, they can go in their backyard and kind of see a new perspective on nature see that sort of stuff."

The award coincides with Tanglewood Nature Center & Museums 50th anniversary celebration. 

The center is expected to have a public campaign next year opening up for more grants. 

For the latest information and up to date events happening at Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum click here.