Removing cattails requires a team effort and engages students

On Sept 17th, 23 Cornell students from EcoHouse joined Cornell Botanic Gardens staff to remove invasive cattails from Houston Pond in the F. R. Newman Arboretum. 

With the help of Plant Science professor Tom Whitlow, 10 canoes, 5 pairs of waders and sickle knives, the group removed the overgrown cattails that were crowding out other plants and changing the ecology of the ponds. This pilot project helped us understand what it would take to successfully remove cattails in the future. Sam Schultz, Ecology and Biology student, is following up with a research project that will recommend next steps and future maintenance strategies.  A local flowering sedge (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) is being grown at our Plant Production Facility to replace the cattails. 

Click here to view images of this effort.