News
F. R. Newman Arboretum Open to Vehicles
Cornell Plantations' F. R. Newman Arboretum is now open to vehicles.
From our flowering tree collection to early-blooming flowers along the Treman Woodland Walk, the arboretum is an ideal place to watch spring unfold.
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day on May 11th at Cornell Plantations
Come celebrate National Public Gardens Day at Cornell Plantations, and discover Ithaca’s very own public garden.
We invite you to come any time from dawn to dusk to explore our gardens, arboretum and natural areas, or participate in any of the activities that day including,
- a Morning Bird Walk: 8:00 a.m. Learn more here.
- a Botanical Garden Highlights Tour: 12:00 noon. Learn more here.
- an Art exhibition in the Nevin Welcome Center: "Macro Images and Photo Montages", by Nancy Ridenour from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Free Gimme! Coffee in the Welcome Center from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cornell commits more funding to make gorges safer
Cornell continues to show its commitment to keeping Cornell's gorges maintained and safe. So far, $1.2 million has been spent on repairing trails and other infrastructure in Cascadilla Gorge and Cornell has committed additional funds to do the same in Fall Creek Gorge.
Read more in the March 30 Cornell Chronicle article, "Cornell is spending $1.56 million to make gorges safer."
Students in a writing class draw inspiration from a trail in Fall Creek Gorge.
Plantations gardener Glenn Bucien is giving lecture, “Heirloom Vegetables: Past, Present and the Future” on March 29
Glenn Bucien is giving the first presentation in Geneva Historical Society’s 2012 Spring Lecture series, “Heirloom Vegetables: Past, Present and the Future” at 7:30 p.m. March 29 at the museum, 543 S. Main St. in Geneva.
Today, most seed production has shifted to large companies which invest heavily in producing seeds with specific genetic traits like disease and insect resistance. Bucien will talk about this shift to industrial agriculture and concerns about its sustainability, and share ideas for all gardeners to participate in the saving of seed.
Glenn Bucien is the caretaker of the Pounder Heritage Vegetable Garden in Plantations' Botanical Garden.
Read more in the online Finger Lakes Times article, "Heritage gardener to talk about heirloom vegetables" on March 23.
Plantations director Don Rakow speaks on the importance of public gardens at New York City's 92nd Street Y
According to research, by 2050, one-third of all known plant species could be lost. Public gardens address this threat to biodiversity. This is one of many reasons why public gardens are important, Don Rakow illustrated in his lecture, "Why Do We Need Green Spaces?" on March 14th.
Read more about Don Rakow's lecture in the March 20 Cornell Chronicle Online article, "Public Gardens help feed hungry, preserve biodiversity."
Don Rakow standing outside the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Photo by David Gipson.
Landscape paintings by Nari Mistry on display at the Nevin Welcome Center
Stop by the Welcome Center to see Nari Mistry's "Lanscape Paintings: Scenes of Ithaca in Bold Colors." They are landscapes in watercolors and acrylics in a continuing series and depict the beautiful scenes around the Ithaca area and the many local waterfalls. There are a few scenes from Cornell Plantations as well, including Beebe Lake and a view from the F. R. Newman Arboretum.
Nari's art will be on display through April.
Nari tries to use expressive bold colors to represent the subjects that inspire him. "Even a scene of winter ice and snow can contain a touch of warm color in a few spots," says the artist.
Nari retired in 2003 after 39 years as a physicist at Cornell, to catch up on painting and music missed in those busy years. His work can be seen at ArtbyNari.com.
Now open: Newman Arboretum and Cascadilla Gorge Trail!
Cornell Plantations' F. R. Newman Arboretum will be reopened to vehicles this Friday, March 16th. Last year, the arboretum was open on April 1st, so spring appears to have arrived ahead of schedule this year!
The Cascadilla Gorge Trail from Linn Street in Downtown Ithaca, to the Stewart Avenue bridge is now open. Repairs continue on the section from the Stewart Avenue bridge to Collegetown and that section remains closed.
From our flowering tree collection to early-blooming flowers along the Treman Woodland Walk, the arboretum is an ideal place to watch spring unfold.
Take time to check out the gate (now open) that was installed last fall at the start of the gorge trail downtown.
Alumna's gift helps support Plantations' summer internships
Marcia Stofman Morton '61 recently decided to leave a $1 million bequest to Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Part of this gift will endow summer internships at Cornell Plantations.
Read more in the Cornell Chronicle online article Feb. 20th.
Purchase a Plantations membership online
Did you know you can purchase or renew a Plantations membership for yourself or as a gift from our website?
As an added bonus, you will receive a complimentary subscription to Better Homes and Gardens with any membership purchase between now and the end of this year.
Click here to join.
Click here to learn about our member benefits.
Help protect our natural resources: Join the Natural Areas Academy!
Do you love spending time in the forests, meadows and other natural areas of the Finger Lakes region? Do you care about preserving the integrity of the natural world and do you want to share this love with others? If so, consider joining Plantations’ Natural Areas Academy.
The year-long Natural Areas Academy (NAA) consists of dozens of expert-led workshops, field trips, and directed stewardship opportunities designed to provide participants with the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to support efforts in preserving our treasured natural resources. 
Betsy Crispell, a recent graduate of the Natural Areas Academy says, “I knew I wanted to participate! I have always loved the plants, animals, and wild places around me, and it seemed that this would be a great way to learn more of these things. And it was!”
With their newly gained expertise, the Natural Areas Academy participants will also help to mentor the next generation of scientists, teachers, environmental stewards, and leaders, thereby fulfilling a vital role in the long-term preservation of our natural heritage, our world, and ultimately, our place in it.
Program Requirements
Participants in the NAA are expected to work towards the program’s goals over the course of a year. After the completion of at least eight of the workshops and field trips, plus 40 hours of participation in directed stewardship activities, academy members will receive their Natural Areas Mentor certification and may continue to participate in the NAA as a mentor for no cost. Participation in the NAA requires a non-refundable $150 application fee.
The first NAA workshop will be a mandatory orientation on Saturday, March 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Learn more on our Natural Areas Academy page.
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
This tool, jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Servicesand Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group, provides greater accuracy and detail than the 1990 version. It is now available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. The new Internet-friendly map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format.
To read the full press release on the new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, click here.
Don Rakow, the E.N. Wilds director of Cornell Plantations, stated:
"Cornell Plantations appreciates that this new USDA Hardiness Zone Map is based on a more detailed and in-depth body of data than was available in the past. While some locations in our area have been reclassified from Zone 5B (minimum temps. of -15 - -10F°) to 6A (minimum temps. of -10 - -5°F), these changes are not necessarily due to global climate change. Any gardeners interested in experimenting with Zone 6A-rated plants should use the interactive portion of this map to determine the hardiness ratings for their area, and should take advantage of microclimates, such as are found in protected courtyards or alongside south facing walls,”
On Display: Nature Photography by Chris Kitchen
Chris Kitchen's display of photographs in the lobby of the Nevin Welcome Center is a colorful expression of the nature here in Ithaca- a refreshing splash of color and life this time of year!
Chris’ move from the Washington, D.C. area to Ithaca in 2004 reawakened his passion for nature photography. He feels especially connected to Cornell Plantations which, no matter the time of year, he can find something interesting to photograph.
This month, Chris will be leading two outdoor photography workshops at Plantations. Depending on the type of camera you have, you can sign up for the Saturday, Jan. 14 workshop, “Using Your Digital SLR Camera” or the Saturday, Jan. 21 workshop, “Using your Digital Point-and-Shoot Camera.” Each session is $24.
View our calendar.
Now is the time to visit the Mullestein Winter Garden!
This time of year, we are used to our natural surroundings becoming a bit more muted, but that's not true in the Mullestein Winter Garden - winter has the opposite effect! 
Step into this garden to find:
- bright orange and red fruits of many cultivars of winterberry,
- yellow, red and dayglo green branches of shrubby dogwoods and willows
- reddish-brown curly bark of scarlet curls willow, and
- countless hues of blues and greens of numerous evergreens.
We challenge you to find every color of the rainbow.
Arboretum and Cascadilla Gorge Trail closed for winter
F. R. Newman Arboretum closed to vehicular traffic
The F.R. Newman Arboretum is now closed to vehicular traffic until April 2012. Parking in front of the arboretum gates is illegal. Visitors may park in the Wildflower Garden parking lot, located just west of the Caldwell Road/Forest Home Drive intersection, or in the parking area just north of the Forest Home Drive entrance into the arboretum.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail closed for winter
Please take notice that the Cascadilla Gorge Trail from Linn Street in downtown Ithaca to College Avenue is closed for the winter season. The secion of the trail from Linn Street to the Stewart Avenue bridge will reopen when all snow and ice have cleared in spring. The remaining section from the Stewart Avenue bridge to College Avenue will reopen when gorge trail repairs are complete in 2012.
F.R. Newman Arboretum Closed to Vehicular Traffic
The F.R. Newman Arboretum is now closed to vehicular traffic until April 2012. Parking in front of the arboretum gates is illegal. Visitors may park in the Wildflower Garden parking lot, located just west of the Caldwell Road/Forest Home Drive intersection, or in the parking area just north of the Forest Home Drive entrance into the arboretum.
25% off entire gift shop purchase for Cornell students and employees!
From now through December 21st, all Cornell students and employees will receive a 25% discount* off all purchases in our garden gift shop.
The gift shop in the Nevin Welcome Center has many unique and interesting gifts for everyone – from hand crafted gourd lamps and natural ornaments, to poinsettias and holiday arrangements from our own greenhouse!
Our poinsettias have unique colors and shapes that you’re not likely to find elsewhere and have been grown in the greenhouse under the watchful eye of Missy Bidwell, greenhouse manager here at Plantations!
Gift Shop Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, CLOSED Sunday and Monday. The Gift Shop and Nevin Welcome Center will be closed from December 22nd - January 2nd.
Looking for the perfect gift? Consider a gift membership to Cornell Plantations. Stop in the gift shop to learn more!
*Discount not valid on Cornell Sheep Blankets or art work (prints, ceramics, and hand crafted wood bowls).
Skorton Endorses Recommendations for Gorge Safety
Following the accidental gorge deaths of three students this summer, President David Skorton endorsed a report on Thursday from the Gorge Safety Steering Committee calling for new infrastructure, increased educational outreach and a student patrol group to improve safety in the gorges.
Click here to read more of this Cornell Daily Sun article written on Friday, December 2nd.
Cornell Plantations Partners with New York City's 92nd Street Y for Lecture Series
Cornell Plantations has partnered with the 92nd Street Y in New York City for its “Changing Earth” lecture series. This unique series of seven lectures will take place monthly from November 2011 to May 2012, and is part of the Y’s First Class Science adult education program.
The year-long series kicks off on November 16th and features diverse topics and speakers from Cornell University and other organizations.
Dr. Nina Bassuk, professor in Cornell’s Department of Horticulture, delivers the first Plantations-themed lecture of the series on December 7 at 7:00 p.m., “Why Do We Need Trees?” She is co-author with Peter Trowbridge of Trees in the Urban Landscape, and leads the Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell.
Dr. Don Rakow, the E.N. Wilds director of Cornell Plantations will give the second Plantations-themed lecture on March 14, “Why do we need green spaces? The importance of public gardens and parks in our communities.” Beyond fulfilling our need for a connection to nature, he'll talk about how the roles of parks and public gardens are changing dramatically in this era of increasing environmental crises.
“Cornell Plantations is excited to partner with the 92nd St. Y to sponsor these lectures,” stated Dr. Rakow. “In the crowded, fast-paced cities of today, we have a greater need than ever for the beauty and ecological services provided by street trees, parks, and public gardens. In these lectures to be provided by Prof. Nina L. Bassuk and myself, participants will learn about ongoing research and outreach efforts to extend the lives of urban trees, as well as the many ways in which public gardens enrich our lives.”
Also speaking as part of the “Changing Earth” series is, Dr. Jonathon Lunine, the David C. Duncan professor of astronomy at Cornell University. Lunine will speak on April 18, 2012 on the possibility of life forms on other planets.
For more information and a complete listing of speakers click here.
On Display: "A Closer Look," plant photography by Susan Larkin
Local photographer, Susan Larkin’s fascination with plants is brought to life in her display “A Closer Look,” a collection of black and white photographs, which reveal the often unnoticed shapes and textures of plants up close. Every detail of each plant is in clear focus, resulting from the combination of multiple exposures of the same subject—each taken with a different focal point. The images are then combined by a process called focus stacking and the finished photographs are all monochrome images.
All photographs in this exhibit are of plants that are found around Cornell.
“A Closer Look” is now on display through December at the Nevin Welcome Center including “Worm Plant” (Spathicarpa sagittifolia) shown here.
Update: Cascadilla Gorge Trail repair
Cascadilla Gorge is scheduled to open next June. Here is what is happening now to keep that date on track:
New gate at the “lower” gorge entrance: A custom-made iron gate was installed at the gorge entrance at the Treman Triangle off of Linn Street. It will allow us to close the trail each winter when trail conditions are unsafe. Designed by local artisan Durand VanDoren, the 1200 pound gate was inspired by the gorge’s cascading falls, and oak leaves and acorns found on an historic Cascadilla Glen Trail plaque.
New staircase under the Stewart Avenue bridge: The staircase leading to the iconic stone bridge that crosses the creek will soon follow a new, safer path. The staircase was designed to fit into the gorge landscape, provide a more direct view of the adjacent waterfall, and move visitors farther from an overhanging, unsafe gorge wall. A dam (shown above) was built with sandbags and concrete blocks and a water pump was used to keep the water level low to build the new stairs.
Stabilizing the 150-year-old retaining wall near historic Eddy Gate: This 60 foot tall structure was constructed to stabilize and retain the gorge wall after stone was quarried from the gorge to construct Cascadilla Hall.
Completing this gorge restoration project is one part of several recommendations to increase gorge safety approved by Cornell President David Skorton. Read about the additional recommendations in the December 4th Ithaca Journal article, "Cornell committee proposes safety steps for gorge."