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At the Nevin Welcome Center: Ironwork by Durand Van Doren

Published: 
3 years 4 weeks ago

This exhibit features wrought iron botanical pieces by artist blacksmith Durand Van Doren that he designed for gates, railings, archways, lanterns and 14 interpretive sign bases found throughout the Botanical Garden, Arboretum, in Cascadilla Gorge and on the Cornell Campus.

This exhibit extends beyond Durand's work displayed in the Welcome Center lobby. We encourage you to take a winter stroll to view Durand’s work by:

Picking up a list of locations in the Nevin Welcome Center or download the list here.

or

Using your smart phone to take a tour by downloading the free “Pocketsights Tour Guide” app from the App Store or Google Play Store. The app offers three tours that begin at the Nevin Welcome Center:

  • Ironwork in the F. R. Newman Arboretum
  • Ironwork in the Botanical Garden
  • Ironwork on the Cornell Campus and Cascadilla Gorge

(image: Cascadilla Gorge gate in Treman Triangle park in downtown Ithaca, by University Photography)

Cornell recognized as a "Tree Campus USA" school by the Arbor Day Foundation

Published: 
3 years 5 weeks ago
The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes the importance of having trees throughout a college campus—Not only do they provide shade, habitat and clean air, they help reduce the amount of energy generated, reduce carbon dioxide in the air, and provide spaces to relax and enjoy being outside. To be recognized as a "Tree Campus USA," colleges are required to meet five standards that show that they effectively manage their trees, reach out to their communities to foster healthy urban forests, and engage students in all of these efforts. Between staff that care for the trees on Cornell grounds and Cornell Plantations staff that care for trees in our Botanical Garden, Arboretum and Natural Areas, a lot of time and hard work goes into maintaining the beautiful Cornell campus.

Click here to view the list of colleges recognized as a "Tree Campus USA."

(photo: Grossman Pond in Cornell Plantations F. R. Newman Arboretum; Lindsay France, University Photography)

Still a few spots left for "Coffee, Cloves and Chocolate" on March 6

Published: 
3 years 5 weeks ago
In this first installment in our “Cultures and Cuisine” series, you’ll learn some of the history and customs associated with each of these food plants, while sampling them in some sweet and savory dishes during a three course meal created by the Statler Culinary Team. Deadline for registration is Friday, March 4.

Date/time: Sunday, March 6; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $55; $50 for Plantations members
Instructor: Donald Rakow; Professor, Cornell Department of Horticulture
Location: Taylor/Rowe Room, Taverna Banfi in the Statler Hotel

Click here to learn more and register.

We're hiring a Construction Crew Leader

Published: 
3 years 6 weeks ago

Click here for the full job description.

 

 

Backyard Nature Walk this Saturday

Published: 
3 years 6 weeks ago
Head outside and discover some of winter’s wonders in this “backyard” walk for nature enthusiasts of all ages. How do different plants and animals survive the winter cold? On this stroll through the botanical garden and nearby woods we’ll search for clues to answer these and other questions. Afterwards we’ll warm up with some hot cocoa in the Nevin Welcome Center.

Date/time: Saturday, January 30; 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free, no registration required. Click here to learn more.
Instructor: Kevin Moss, staff educator
Location: Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center

Click here for our full calendar of events.

Land protection expands the Fischer Old-Growth Forest preserve

Published: 
3 years 8 weeks ago
Cornell Plantations recently expanded the Fischer Old-Growth Forest Natural Area in the Town of Newfield through a gift of 17.43 acres. The new property, named the Bandler Family Tract, was donated by David K. Bandler, emeritus professor in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. The preserve now protects nearly 60 acres, with almost 30 acres of old-growth forest.

Read more on our Tumblr blog.

Image: Plantations director Christopher Dunn (left) with David Bandler.

Sculpture Garden a legacy to the late Jack Squier

Published: 
3 years 9 weeks ago

I, along with my colleagues at Cornell Plantations would like to share our condolences with the family of Professor Jack Squier, who passed away earlier this week. In the early part of the 1960s Professor Squier guided a group of undergraduates to create the Sculpture Garden in what is now the F. R. Newman Arboretum. We are privileged to host a lasting legacy of his influence and students' creativity.

--Dr. Christopher Dunn, the E. N. Wilds Director of Cornell Plantations

Photo: Jack Squier with his wife in the Sculpture Garden in 2011, photo by University Photography

A new model for our Graduate Program in Public Garden Leadership

Published: 
3 years 9 weeks ago
The Cornell Graduate Fellows Program in Public Garden Leadership (PGL) is an intensive one-year Master of Professional Studies program focused on public garden professionals wishing to advance their knowledge and career preparedness at an internationally recognized research university. The program provides an educational and experiential framework emphasizing leadership, strategic decision making, and financial/business management that prepares students for leadership and managerial roles in the public garden field.

The program co-directors work with each student to develop a course of study and to identify an action project topic and approach.  Students enroll in Cornell coursework during the fall and spring semesters and conduct the majority of the work on the action project between the end of the spring semester and the completion of the program.

The PGL group travels each spring break for an in-depth study at a number of public gardens. Opportunities also exist for each PGL student to work one-on-one with a Cornell Plantations staff member on a one semester project.  Each student is also matched to a leader in the public garden field who serves as that student’s mentor, counseling him or her on action project, public garden issues, and career development.

Individuals accepted into the PGL program are responsible for paying the required tuition and fees. Partial scholarships are available on request.

Applications are being accepted and are due by February 1, 2016.

Click here for more information about the Cornell Graduate Program in Public Garden Leadership.

F. R. Newman Arboretum is now closed to vehicles

Published: 
3 years 9 weeks ago

The F. R. Newman Arboretum is now closed to vehicle traffic. Please
don't let that stop you from enjoying the arboretum this winter. Parking
is available at the Mundy Wildflower Garden parking lot off of 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 dawn
to dusk. Vehicle access will begin again in the spring. Happy winter!

Watercolor art on display at the Nevin Welcome Center

Published: 
3 years 9 weeks ago
"A Celebration of Life" is a display of delicate wildflowers painted by former volunteer Wilma (Willie) Gilmore.

Willie was a long-time volunteer at Cornell Plantations, gardener, and artist. Her work, a series of delicate watercolors of blossoms and fruits, will be on display in the Nevin Welcome Center until February 29. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, January 9th from 2pm – 4pm light refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to the public.

In her prime, Willie was an avid gardener and for decades she enjoyed visiting Cornell Plantations, where she was a long-time volunteer and active member and past president of the Auraca Herbarists. Confronting serious ailments, her prolific gardening activities changed from shovel and wheelbarrow to container plantings. Then, in time, her focus shifted to creating these beautiful watercolors of blossoms and fruits which are on display. These delicate paintings were found in a drawer after her passing.

They came as a surprise even to her family and close friends. As her beloved husband of over 60 years said, “Perhaps Willie saw the paintings as metaphor for life: blossoming, then fading and dying, as we all do, with youth, maturity, and finally, passing on. It is our good fortune that Willie’s last flower creations, the paintings, her Celebration of Life, are ours to enjoy, forever.”

The Nevin Welcome Center, located in the botanical garden of Cornell Plantations, is open Tuesday – Saturday, from 10am – 4pm. 

F. R. Newman Arboretum remains open to vehicles

Published: 
3 years 11 weeks ago

With the weather forecast calling for unseasonably warm temperatures, we decided to keep the arboretum open. Cornell Plantations' Botanical Garden and Arboretum are open from dawn to dusk every day, and we invite you to visit and enjoy the fresh air over the holiday break.

Cascadilla Gorge is closed for the winter

Published: 
3 years 11 weeks ago
The Cascadilla Gorge Trail from Downtown to College Avenue is now closed for winter. The trail is closed due to hazardous conditions from snow, ice, and falling rock that create unsafe conditions. The trail will re-open in the spring when conditions allow.

Although the gorge is closed, you can tour it virtually using Google's Street View feature. Click here for a 360 degree view in front of one of the gorge's waterfalls. To view more points in the gorge, click on the yellow “pegman” in the bottom right corner and drag it to a point on the trail.

Happy Holidays!

Published: 
3 years 12 weeks ago

Click here to view our holiday greeting!

 

 

Cornell staff honor volunteers at "thank you" luncheon

Published: 
3 years 13 weeks ago
We could not carry out all that we do without our large group of volunteers who help tend our gardens, lead public tours, educate school-aged children and a lot more! In 2015, over one hundred individuals contributed approximately 3,800 hours of service, while nearly two hundred more (mostly students) contributed over 1,200 hours as part of various group service projects. Altogether, nearly 300 volunteers served a total of 5,100 hours!

On December 4, Plantations staff honored the volunteers during a luncheon, where we recognized volunteers for their dedicated service. Read more on our Tumblr blog

Tom Reimers (shown left) was givien special recognition for 30 years of service PLUS over 1000 lifetime hours of service.

Holiday Gift Shop Sale on Monday, November 30

Published: 
3 years 15 weeks ago
The Garden Gift Shop in the Nevin Welcome Center will be open for a special holiday sale on Monday, November 30 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Early Bird hours for Plantations Members start at 11:30 a.m.). Members will receive a 30% discount on most items. Non-members will receive 15% off most items. The shop has a variety of unique offerings such as handcrafted ornaments, locally sourced gift items, high quality gardening books and more! The shop is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00–4:00, through December 19 for all your holiday shopping needs!

Winter Solstice Garden Walk, December 19

Published: 
3 years 15 weeks ago
As the sun sinks towards its lowest arc in the sky and the longest night of the year (December 22), come join plant science Professor Peter Davies for a look at the plants of the Mullestein Family Winter Garden. Learn how plants cope with winter’s cold and enjoy some seasonal countryside folk tales. After the walk, we’ll savor some cider and doughnuts in the warmth of the Nevin Welcome Center.

Date/time: Saturday, December 19; 2:00 -3:00 p.m.
Cost:$5 (free for Plantations members and Cornell students) Pre-registration is not required.
Instructor: Professor Peter Davies
Location: Meet in front of the Nevin Welcome Center

Cornell ranked 3rd of 10 best colleges for outdoor enthusiasts

Published: 
3 years 16 weeks ago

College Magazine recognized Cornell University for its beautiful scenery including Ithaca's 150 waterfalls and Beebe Lake on campus along with the breadth of outdoor offerings through P.E. and Cornell Outdoor Education. Click here to view the full article.

Apply for a summer internship with us

Published: 
3 years 16 weeks ago
Become a member of the Plantations' professional team and learn about the operations of a public garden. We are accepting applications for positions working with staff in our botanic gardens, natural areas, and education department. Learn more on our internship page.

F. R. Newman Arboretum named best college arboretum

Published: 
3 years 18 weeks ago

Bestcollegereviews.org ranked the arboretum as #1 of 50 most beautiful college arboretums for its rolling hills, panoramic views and beautiful gardens that make Cornell one of the nation's most beautiful campuses. Click here to see who made the list.

Students help repair amphibian crossing at Ringwood Natural Area

Published: 
3 years 18 weeks ago
Catherine Li ’18, Caroline Wollman ’18 and Abigail Shilvock ’17 are three Cornell students helping migrating amphibians safely cross a roadway in one of Cornell Plantations Natural Areas. Part of their project includes rebuilding a long, curved fence that leads the salamanders to an underground tunnel. They are members of Biology Service Leaders, a group on campus that organizes teams of students that want to relate their science education with giving back to their community.

Read more about their project in the November 3 Cornell Daily Sun article "Cornell Team Looks at Automotive Dangers Faced by Local Amphibians."