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Arboretum Closed to Vehicles for Winter

Published: 
1 year 13 weeks ago
The F. R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Botanic Gardens will close to vehicle traffic on Thursday, December 7, at dusk. The arboretum remains open to pedestrians during the winter months. Limited parking is available at the Mundy Wildflower Garden parking lot on Caldwell Road at the intersection with Forest Home Drive, which is directly across from the arboretum.
 
Pedestrians are welcome to explore the arboretum every day from dawnto dusk. Vehicle access resumes in spring.

Ithaca Lawmakers to Vote December 6 on Safety Barrier for ‘Ezra’s Tunnel’

Published: 
1 year 13 weeks ago

Common Council is slated to vote on whether to allow Cornell to build a pair of safety barriers to restrict access to Fall Creek Gorge through the former industrial site known as "Ezra's Tunnel." Read more in the Nov. 30 Cornell Chronicle article.

This Weeked: BIG Holiday Sale and Wreath Making

Published: 
1 year 15 weeks ago

Friends and Family Holiday Sale at the Garden Gift Shop!

Visit the Garden Gift Shop at the Nevin Welcome Center this Thursday, November 30 through Sunday, December 3, and receive 25% off all merchandise.*

*Exclusions apply

Make an Evergreen Wreath this Sunday

Make a wreath to decorate your home for the holidays! All materials provided. Drop in, or register online.

Date/time: Sunday, December 3; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $25 ($20 for members).
Location: Nevin Welcome Center

Learn more and register.

Volunteer Symposium Hosted by Cornell Botanic Gardens

Published: 
1 year 16 weeks ago
On October 11 - 13, Cornell Botanic Gardens was the host site and co-sponsor for the Volunteer Engagement Symposium “Remarkable, Resilient and Rewarding Volunteer Engagement,” offered by the American Public Gardens Association.

The symposium was attended by over 45 professionals from the public garden field who are involved with volunteer management and supervision.  The group included six staff and one volunteer from Cornell Botanic Gardens.  Adult Education and Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Moss was instrumental in organizing the symposium with the Association.
The symposium featured a variety of speakers, with sessions on best practices, student engagement, volunteer retention, risk management, and more. The keynote address, “Land Stewardship and the Volunteer Connection”, was delivered by Andrew Zepp, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Tours of the F. R. Newman Arboretum and Cascadilla Gorge, and an excursion to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, rounded out the week.

One attending Volunteer Manager had this to say, “This gathering is so vital to us. For volunteer managers at public gardens, this is the only peer networking group that is gardens-based, which means that we have the chance to confer with colleagues sharing the same issues and learn from each other. The sessions and presentations were interesting, and our time at the Ornithological Research Center and Cascadilla Gorge were enlightening and thought provoking (and hiking back up through the gorge was breathtaking in the truest sense of the word…good exercise for mind and body).  The planning, location and conduct of the event were wonderfully orchestrated. Our thanks to all those who helped in making this a great success.”

Click here to view images from this event.

Removing cattails requires a team effort and engages students

Published: 
1 year 16 weeks ago
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.

Dunn Part of Cornell’s Delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference

Published: 
1 year 16 weeks ago
The United Nations’ Conference of Parties, COP23, on Climate Change was held in Bonn, Germany earlier this month.  Director Christopher Dunn was part of Cornell University’s delegation of faculty and students attending the conference to present and confer with attendees about how to deal with climate change.
 
Dunn gave a presentation on community-based adaptations to climate change by the peoples of the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia and the Lakota Sioux (click here to view the presentation).  As a delegate, Dunn is also working to raise awareness of the work being done at Cornell Botanic Gardens to raise awareness about climate change and how we and visitors can mitigate its effects or adapt to its impacts.

View Christopher's presentation here.

Read more about the Cornell students and staff who attended COP23 in the November 17 Cornell Chronicle article "Cornell students meet, learn from COP23 world leaders."

We're helping kids discover the (natural) world through our Wildflower Explorations program

Published: 
1 year 17 weeks ago

Each spring we teach over 500 third grade students about our native wildflowers as part of the Kids Discover the Trail program. Read more about it in this Tompkins Weekly article.

Cornell Botanic Gardens Brings Blooms, Food, and Fun to Presidential Inauguration Festivities

Published: 
1 year 17 weeks ago

From a tropical container garden, to whimsical flower hats, to culinary herbs, Cornell Botanic Gardens made its stamp on the installation of Cornell University President Martha Pollack. 

New presidents of Cornell University are ushered in with pomp and celebration. When President Martha Pollack was installed on August 25, 2017, Cornell Botanic Gardens participated with zest, sharing flowers, herbs, and fun, across three celebratory events. 

Trustee’s Lunch

When the Office of the Board of Trustees began planning an inauguration-day lunch, they approached Cornell Botanic Gardens for height-of-season blooms. The Zucker Shrub Collection yielded lush stems of white hydrangeas, hosta leaves, and ornamental grass fronds for 25 table centerpieces. Each was accompanied by a branded card noting Cornell Botanic Gardens contribution. This elevated the presence of the botanic gardens among 275 high-profile trustees, alumni, and friends. 

Street Fair
Immediately following the installation ceremony on the Arts Quad, Martha Pollack was feted with a street fair showcasing the best of Cornell University. Cornell Botanic Gardens wanted its display to draw visitors in with the beauty of plants and to convey its educational mission. Above all, guests were to experience plants with surprise and delight, in an interactive activity. 

Developing and executing the display leveraged the expertise and creativity of staff across the organization—horticulture, education, facilities, and communication. The result was a lush tropical container garden on the Arts Quad, and a photo booth, where visitors donned whimsical hats made from plants and flowers. 

At the close of the presidential installation ceremony, more than 7,000 people flocked to the street fair. Many lined up to have their photos made with the hat creations, including CALS Dean Kathryn Boor, Soumitra Dutta, dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Fred Van Sickle, vice president for alumni affairs and development, and Kathy Zoner, Cornell’s chief of police. 

Watch for a behind-the-scenes view of how Cornell Botanic Gardens created a tropical container garden and photo booth with living hats to celebrate the installation of Cornell University President Martha Pollack in this short video.

Inauguration Dinner, Barton Hall
Some 600 people filled Barton Hall in the evening for a gala dinner honoring Martha Pollack. In his welcome remarks, Joel Malina, vice president for university relations, recognized Cornell Botanic Gardens for providing herbs and edible flowers for the celebratory meal. The prior day, Tim Oltz, executive chef for Cornell Catering, visited the Robison York State Herb Garden. He and Horticulturist Pam Shade selected culinary herbs for dishes such as boursin- and herb-stuffed mini zucchini. “The herbs took the menu to the next level of flavor,” Oltz said. “We can’t get these herbs in a store.” 

Lecture on climate change adaptation by National Geographic Explorer Alizé Carrère, Nov. 8

Published: 
1 year 19 weeks ago
Adapt and Thrive: Creatively Living in a Climate Changed World

Alizé Carrère, National Geographic Explorer & Cultural Ecologist

With the persistence of climate change, people across the world are experimenting daily with different adaptive methods on the ground. At a time when doomsday narratives dominate the current climate conversation, adaptation plays an increasingly vital role for both its practical application and as a hopeful reminder of our resilience as a species. Alizé Carrère, an Ithaca native and a National Geographic Explorer, will be sharing her experiences from the field looking at remarkable examples of human adaptation. With support from National Geographic, she has been documenting case studies in places such as Madagascar, Bangladesh, India, Norway and the United States to create a web series that reveals human ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of environmental adversity. Collectively, the story they tell is far grander than the sum of its parts: it is one that reminds us of the single most important trait that has allowed for survival for as long as life has existed on earth.

Interview with Alizé
Here is an insider's look at Alizé, her work, and her insights on human ingenuity in this interview written by Cornell intern Diana Buckley.

Date/time: Wednesday, November 8; 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: Statler Hall, Cornell University

Sneak a peak at the menu for "A Taste of the Harvest!"

Published: 
1 year 20 weeks ago
Join us for a sampling of this summer’s garden bounty—along with some outstanding local ciders! Herbs and vegetables harvested from our gardens will be featured in an array of tapas-style dishes prepared by Chef Tim Oltz of Cornell Catering, and paired with ciders crafted by Eric Shatt of Redbyrd Orchard. We’ll discuss some simple methods for harvesting and preserving herbs and garden vegetables, as well as the basics of apple harvesting and cider production. Recipes will be provided. Participants must be 21 or older and prepared to show proof of age. Pre-registration is required.

Date/time: Saturday, November 4; 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 ($45 for Members) Pre-registration is required.
Location: Nevin Welcome Center

Get a sneak peak at the menu and plants used from our gardens in this two-minute video with horticulturist Emily Detrick.

Click here to register.

Cornell Botanic Gardens supports hemlock tree conservation and research with New York State grant

Published: 
1 year 20 weeks ago

The grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation expands control of an invasive pest that threatens hemlock trees. Read more in a Cornell Chronicle article on October 20.

We're voted "best place for peace and quiet"

Published: 
1 year 20 weeks ago

In the 2017 Ithaca Times "Best of Ithaca" we were recognized for the restorative qualities of our gardens and natural areas. Click here to read the full article.

Fall Foliage Arboretum Hike this Saturday

Published: 
1 year 21 weeks ago
Take it outside on this extended hike through the diverse plant collections and landscapes of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, with a special emphasis on the changing colors of fall. Experience the beautiful gardens, arboretum, woodland trails, and panoramic views that helped Cornell Botanic Gardens earn its #1 ranking as the most beautiful college arboretum. Walk will be held rain or shine and will include some steep slope and stair climbing.

Date/time: Saturday October 21; 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Cost: $5 suggested donation; no registration required
Instructor: Peter Davies, Cornell Professor Emeritus, Plant Biology and Horticulture
Location: Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center

Lecture on prescribing Nature to prevent and treat chronic disease

Published: 
1 year 21 weeks ago
Park Rx America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to decrease the burden of chronic disease, increase health and happiness, and foster environmental stewardship, by virtue of prescribing Nature during the routine delivery of healthcare. In his lecture, Dr. Robert Zarr will share how Park Rx America works closely with managers of publicly-accessible land and water, as well as directly with healthcare providers and their respective organizations, to "make it easy" to prescribe parks and other protected areas to their patients real-time in the clinical practice setting. 

This lecture is in partnership with Nature Rx @Cornell, Cornell Health, Horticulture Section, Masters of Public Health degree program

Date/time: Monday, October 23; 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: Statler Hall, Cornell University

Join a lively discussion on why urban forests are important

Published: 
1 year 22 weeks ago

Join us for our second Biophilia: ITHACA forum for a lively presentation and discussion.

Jeanne Grace, Ithaca City Forester, will share the inside scoop on what drives tree management decisions, why urban forests are important, and how Ithaca’s urban canopy stacks up against other cities. As forester, Jeanne interacts with tree lovers and tree skeptics on issues related to nature in the city and our connection to it on a daily basis.

Date/time: Tuesday, October 10; 5:00 -6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public; no registration required
Location: Just Be Cause Center, 1013 W. State Street, Ithaca

What is Biophilia: ITHACA?

Biophilia is the human affinity for interacting with nature.  The term “biophilia,” which literally means “love of life,” was coined by social psychologist Erich Fromm and popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson.

Biophilia: ITHACA is modeled after the Biophilia: PITTSBURGH which is a “pilot chapter for a global Biophilia Network of creative minds dedicated to strengthening the bond between people and the natural world through education, discussion and action.”

Our Mission: To strengthen human connections to nature and to advocate for policies and practices that benefit the local natural environment.

Our Goals:
•    To create a supportive and inclusive network that fosters collaboration and learning about biophilia among people with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints
•    To welcome and inspire others with the concept of biophilia
•    To explore new approaches to strengthening human connections to nature and to discuss their application to our local community
•    To use our collective voice to advocate for and to assist in the implementation of policies and practices that benefit the natural environment


Free and open to all. Refreshments will be provided. This forum is sponsored by Ithaca Children's Garden, and the biophilia:ITHACA chapter is comprised of numerous individuals and organizations.

Our mission is to strengthen human connection to nature. All are invited to attend this forum and become active with biophilia: ITHACA. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Capture the beauty of fall in our “Autumn Hues” painting class

Published: 
1 year 23 weeks ago
In this day-long workshop for artists of all skill levels, we’ll explore the fullest range of colors available from a dozen tubes of pigment, making a sophisticated color reference chart that will be useful for years to come. Special emphasis will be given to colors for fall botanical illustration. A list of materials will be provided prior to class; please bring a bag lunch or snack. Pre-registration is required.

Date/time: Saturday, October 14; 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $72 ($65 for Members)
Instructor: Camille Doucet, artist
Location: Nevin Welcome Center

Click here to register.

Chocolate and family fun this Sunday!

Published: 
1 year 23 weeks ago
Celebrate chocolate with tastings, historical stories, and hands-on activities. Come experience the rich story of chocolate, starting with a tree: learn how it grows and how cacao seeds are processed to become lusciously smooth chocolate. Sample different types of chocolates as you learn about their place in history, and honor the Mexican Day of the Dead custom by grinding chocolate nibs on a traditional Mexican metate and decorating a chocolate skull.

 

 

Date/time: Sunday, October 29; 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person, children 5 and under are free
Location: Nevin Welcome Center

Cornell Botanic Gardens featured in the Christian Science Monitor

Published: 
1 year 23 weeks ago

The Climate Change Demonstration Garden is featured in this story on how botanic gardens are working to help visitors see and understand how climate change may affect them. Click here to read the September 25 article, "Sowing common ground: Botanical gardens tell the story of climate change."

Lecture: The Art of Gardening at Chanticleer

Published: 
1 year 24 weeks ago
Join Chanticleer's Executive Director and Head Gardener Bill Thomas for a visual tour and behind-the-scenes look at what the Washington Post calls “one of the most interesting and edgy public gardens in America.”  Chanticleer is known for its residential-scale plant combinations featuring foliage textures and colors, its wide variety of containers, and its imaginative homemade furniture.  This is a garden where the staff are the designers, competing with each other and with the horticultural world to make the garden fun, visually exciting, and environmentally responsible. Bill will offer insights on what inspires this special place.  

Date/time: Wednesday, September 27; 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Location: Statler Hall, Cornell University

Come to weed dating tonight!

Published: 
1 year 25 weeks ago

It’s a drop-in volunteer night for singles and couples! Come get down and dirty in our garden beds and meet someone new, or bring your significant other for a unique date night. Relax and unwind, learn about plants from a knowledgeable staff horticulturist, and help keep our gardens looking beautiful. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your own garden gloves and hand tools, if you have them. Light refreshments provided. Open to ages 18 and older. Cancelled in the event of rain.

No pre-registration required.

Location: Meet by the Nevin Welcome Center parking lot on Plantations Road