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2015 Fall Lecture Series kicks off with author Robin Kimmerer

Published: 
3 years 29 weeks ago
Our Annual Fall Lecture Series begins Wednesday, September 2, with a lecture by the renowned botanist, professor and award-wining author of “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants,” Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer.  The Harder Lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. in Call Alumni Auditorium in Kennedy Hall and will be followed by a complimentary garden party in the botanical garden of Cornell Plantations.

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer will lecture on topics found in her new book “Braiding Sweetgrass” in which she shows how other living beings—asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. In a rich braid of reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgement and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Kimmerer will be kicking-off our lecture series,” stated Dr. Sonja Skelly, director of education at Cornell Plantations.  “I believe that Jane Goodall said it best– ‘[this is] an extraordinary book, showing how the factual, objective approach of science can be enriched by the ancient knowledge of the indigenous people.’ We are very pleased that Dr. Kimmerer will be sharing her eloquence and wisdom with the Cornell community.”

Dr. Kimmerer is a distinguished teaching professor and the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.  As a writer and scientist, she has delivered a TEDx Talk, has addressed the general assembly of the United Nations at the request of UN President Sam Kahamba Kutesa, of Uganda, and has won the prestigious John Burroughs Medal for Writing and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award.

Date/time: Wednesday, September 2; 5:30 (immediately followed by a garden party in Plantations botanical garden)
Cost: Free
Location: Call Alumni Auditorium in Kennedy Hall on Cornell campus

Click here for the full lecture line up.

Student interns say "thank you"

Published: 
3 years 29 weeks ago
Our Summer Internship Program offers Cornell students hands-on experience working with expert staff in our gardens, natural areas, and education programs. Click here to view a short video, created by marketing intern Jessica Zheng ’17, as a special thank you to all of our supporters.

View video here.

Ten scenic spots you must visit before graduating Cornell

Published: 
3 years 29 weeks ago
Our summer marketing intern Jessica Zheng '17 explored many of Plantations' gardens and natural areas during her time with us. To share her newfound love of these places, she created a top ten list on Buzzfeed. Her wish to Cornell students is: "Be sure to explore this beautiful place and don’t leave Cornell without seeing its gorgeous wonders."

Click here to view the list on Buzzfeed.

A week of pepper-themed events ends with a Family Pepper Party

Published: 
3 years 29 weeks ago

Each year in our vegetable garden we display dozens of varieties of a widely-grown vegetable. This year, we chose the pepper and have a line-up of activities to explore the world of peppers:

GARDEN TO TABLE: A PASSION FOR PEPPERS
A cooking demo and 3 course tasting of delectable pepper creations by Taverna Banfi.
Saturday, September 12; 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

BLAME IT ON COLUMBUS: PEPPERS AROUND THE WORLD
Lecture by Dave Dewitt, author and food historian
Wednesday, September 16; 7:30 p.m.

PLENTY OF PEPPERS
Pepper tour and tasting with food historian Dave Dewitt
Thursday, September 17; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

PLANTATIONS PEPPER PARTY!
Pepper activities for kids of all ages at this family event including tastings from Agava.
Saturday, September 19; 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

EXHIBIT ON PEPPERS IN THE WELCOME CENTER
Visit the Nevin Welcome Center to see the exhibit “Peppers Around the World.” This exhibit traces how cultivated peppers traveled from Central and South America to quickly make their way around the globe. A delectable display of pepper-based salsas, curries and pastes highlight how peppers are key ingredients of signature dishes worldwide.

Check out the Climate Change Garden

Published: 
3 years 29 weeks ago
Last summer, Plantations staff partnered with faculty in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture departments to install a climate change garden. By growing plants inside and outside a high tunnel, visitors have the opportunity to compare how plants grow differently in today’s garden (the outside portion) with the garden of 2050 (the inside portion).  Plants inside the high tunnel are being subjected to projected climatic conditions for 2050, which include higher temperatures, periods of drought and heavy rainfall and heat waves.

This summer, we added five interpretive signs to guide visitors through the garden. Hand-written labels call attention to differences between the plants growing inside and outside the high tunnel, and we provided a space for visitors to share their observations. If you live close by, we hope you visit to make some observations for yourself. If not, you can follow what’s been happening on our Climate Change Garden blog. Also, see what’s happening on our Instagram account.

Cocktail Party in the Herb Garden on August 13!

Published: 
3 years 31 weeks ago
Booze and Botany: Herb Garden Cocktail Party

Join Roland Coggin, one of Ithaca’s top mixologists, for a cocktail party in the Robison Herb Garden featuring drinks made with fresh herbal ingredients. Registration fee for this event includes light hors d’oeuvres and tickets for three cocktails, provided by Agava Restaurant. Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase. Proceeds support the mission of Cornell Plantations. Participants must be 21 or older and prepared to show proof of age. Pre-registration is required.
(Rain location: Nevin Welcome Center)


Date/time: Thursday, August 13; 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person
Location: Robison York State Herb Garden in the Botanical Garden

Click here to register.

Sign up for "Shoot, Edit and Share" on August 8

Published: 
3 years 32 weeks ago
Digital technology has revolutionized photography for the non-professional: you no longer have to wait for a roll of film to be processed, computer software allows you to edit your images in a variety of ways, and the internet allows you to quickly share your beautiful work with others. This program will cover the basic steps from capturing the best digital photos on your camera, to editing and sharing them, and safely storing them on your computer. We will spend time in the botanical garden to practice shooting, then head inside to download, edit and discuss your work. Bring your own digital camera -- smartphone, point-and-shoot, or digital single-lens reflex (DSLR). All skill levels are welcome but please have a basic understanding of your camera’s operation. Pre-registration is required.

Date/time: Saturday, August 8; 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Cost:$40; $36 for Plantations members
Instructor: Paul Schmitt, local photographer
Location: Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center.

Click here to register.

Free public preview of "Hemlock Woolly Adelgid" film this Thursday

Published: 
3 years 33 weeks ago
The Hemlock Woolly Adeglid is devastating the Hemlock forests and the delicate ecosystems that depend upon them. This film beautifully illustrates the vital importance of The Eastern Hemlock Tree, what should be done to prevent the spread of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and the growing phenomena of invasive species as a whole. This film includes appearances by Plantations staff Zeb Strickland.

 

Date/time: Thursday, July 23, 7:00 p.m. Q & A following film with: Mark Whitmore - Forest Entomologist; Hilary Lambert - Executive Director of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network; Chris Foito - Filmmaker (and former Cinemapolis staffer) 

Location: Cinemapolis, 120 East Green St., Ithaca

Cost: Free

Click here for more information on the Cinemapolis website.

Celebrate National Moth Week with us!

Published: 
3 years 34 weeks ago
Explore the world of moths in a new light!

Sunday, July 19; 1 - 4 p.m: Join artist Brandon Ballengee to build a "Love Motel," a sculpted canvas to attract insects. Love Motel for Insects is an ongoing series that started in 2001 in Costa Rica, and has since taken the artist to Delhi, London, Venice and Loch Ness (Scotland), and most notably – Central Park in New York City, among other venues. The original structures were made from black lights and bed sheets; today, they use ultra-violet lighting on black canvas backgrounds. Click here to read more on our Tumblr blog.

Monday, July 20: Take a tour of the Love Motel with the artist from 7-8 p.m. Stay for bug watching from 8-10 p.m.
Meet at the Ponds area in the F. R. Newman Arboretum for both events.

Wednesday, July 22; 1 - 4 p.m: Take a walk with Cornell entomologist Jason J. Dombroskie through the Mundy Wildflower Garden and around Beebe Lake to look for moths and their caterpillars. Meet at the entrance to the Mundy Wildflower Garden on Caldwell Road.

Wednesday, July 22; 9 p.m. - midnight: Cornell entomologist Jason J. Dombroskie will set up a bright mercury vapor light and two ultraviolet lights to attract nocturnal moths. Meet at the Newman Overlook in the F. R. Newman Arboretum.

Throughout June and July:  Art exhibit in the Nevin Welcome Center: "Les Papillons"
Find enchantment in “Les Papillons,” a photographic look at butterflies amongst the floral backdrop of the tropics. This collection of photos by local photographer Jason Cox brings the vibrancy of life housed at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy here to the Finger Lakes. This art exhibit will be on display from July 6 to the end of August.

All events are free and no pre-registration is required. Click here for more detail on our events calendar.

Take a hike with the Cornell Gorge Stewards

Published: 
3 years 36 weeks ago
Join the Cornell Gorge Stewards on weekly hikes around Fall Creek and Beebe Lake. Tours of Fall Creek Gorge are offered on Thursdays and tours around Beebe Lake are offered on Sundays. They will focus on the history of the area, geology and local flora and fauna.

Dates/times:
Fall Creek Gorge Hikes: Thursdays,  5:30 - 6:30 p.m., August 6, 13, 20
Beebe Lake Hikes: Sundays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., August 9, 16, 23
Fee: Free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.
Instructors: Cornell Gorge Stewards
Locations:
Fall Creek Gorge Hikes: Meet at the corner of University Avenue and Central Avenue (Near the Johnson Museum of Art).
Beebe Lake Hikes: Meet at the front of Noyes Lodge.

Click here to view this event on our calendar.

On display at the Nevin Welcome Center

Published: 
3 years 36 weeks ago
Find enchantment in “Les Papillons,” a photographic look at butterflies amongst the floral backdrop of the tropics. This collection of photos by local photographer Jason Cox brings the vibrancy of life housed at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy here to the Finger Lakes. This art exhibit will be on display from July 6 to the end of August.

Plantations rated one of "50 Most Amazing University Gardens"

Published: 
3 years 36 weeks ago

On BestCollegesOnline.org, Cornell Plantations is rated one of the “50 Most Amazing University Gardens." Each University garden or arboreta received points for variety of species, local or international recognition, education programs and conservation efforts. Click here to see who also made the list.

Botanical Garden tours every Saturday and Sunday

Published: 
3 years 39 weeks ago
Enjoy a guided tour through the Botanical Gardens and discover the beauty and diversity of our numerous theme gardens, including the Herb Garden, Rhododendron Collection, Flower Garden, Groundcover Collections, Tropical Container Display, Vegetable Garden and more. Actual tour content will vary from week to week, depending on the plants, season, interests of the group, and whim of the docent.

Date/time: Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m.; June 13- September 27
Cost: $5 (free for Plantations members, volunteers and Cornell students) Pre-registration is not required.
Location: Meet in front of the Nevin Welcome Center.

Reunion Weekend events, June 4-6

Published: 
3 years 41 weeks ago

Cornell Plantations -- the arboretum, botanical garden and natural areas of Cornell University -- welcomes all alumni and their families to Reunion Weekend, June 4-6, 2015.

During Reunion our rhododendrons, irises, and magnolias will be blooming, and you may still find many spring wildflowers in the Mundy Wildflower Garden and natural areas.

At the botanical garden you can take a mini-tour, pick up a visitor map and explore on your own, browse the exhibits and gift shop in the Nevin Welcome Center, or just relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gardens and grounds.

Free parking is available at the Nevin Welcome Center, or you can ride our shuttle van from Barton Hall (Statler Hotel side) or the Peterson parking lot across from the Dairy Bar/Stocking Hall on Tower Road. Plantations shuttle service is provided approximately every 20 minutes from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday only.

For more information, contact Kevin Moss at [email protected], (607) 254-7430.

Welcome back -- to Cornell Plantations!
A variety of tours and programs are planned for Reunion Weekend. Activities are free and are open to all Reunion attendees, the general public and members of the Ithaca community:

Nevin Welcome Center open from 9:30 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Shuttle service available from 12:00 to 5:00, Friday and Saturday. Stops at Barton Hall/Statler Hall and Peterson Lot (across from Dairy Bar).

Thursday, June 4 

Beebe Lake Natural History Walk
Location: Meet at Beebe Beach
Thursday, June 4; 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Stroll around the lake to discover the history, flora, and fauna of Cornell's favorite natural area.

Friday, June 5

Plantations Botanical Garden Highlights Tour
Location: Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center
10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Guided one-hour tour through the numerous theme gardens in the Botanical Garden. 

Cascadilla Gorge Hike
Meet at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts in Collegetown,
Friday, 10:00 - 11:30  a.m. and 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Hike through Cascadilla Gorge and learn about the geology, natural history, and beauty of this scenic greenway. The round-trip one milehike is moderately strenuous and involves some steep stair climbing. Friday hikers have the option to take the #10 TCAT Bus back to campus
instead of returning on the trail, but there is no bus service on Saturday.

Plantations Botanical Garden Mini Tours
Nevin Welcome Center
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
15-minute mini-tours highlighting significant plants and gardens, launching approximately every 20 minutes.  

Plantations Mundy Wildflower Garden Tour
Mundy Wildflower Garden, Caldwell Road entrance
11 a.m.- noon
Explore this woodland wildflower garden and discover a rich variety of native flora.

Members-only sneak preview of the Spring Plant Sale
Cornell Plantations Plant Production Facility, 397 Forest Home Drive
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Take home some of Plantations’ gardeners’ top picks for your own home landscape! This spring’s offerings will include some small shrubs, a wide variety of perennials, and some new additions to the horticulture trade.

Saturday, June 6

Spring Plant Sale
Cornell Plantations Plant Production Facility, 397 Forest Home Drive
9:00 a.m. – noon
Take home some of Plantations’ gardeners’ top picks for your own home landscape! This spring’s offerings will include some small shrubs, a wide variety of perennials, and some new additions to the horticulture trade.

Plantations Botanical Garden Mini Tours
Nevin Welcome Center
10:00 a.m. - noon
15-minute mini-tours highlighting significant plants and gardens, launching approximately every 20 minutes.

Cascadilla Gorge Hike
Meet at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts in Collegetown,
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Hike through Cascadilla Gorge and learn about the geology, natural history, and beauty of this scenic greenway. The round-trip one mile hike is moderately strenuous and involves some steep stair climbing.

Comstock Knoll Rhododendron Tour
Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Join gardener Phil Syphrit for this tour of one of the most beautiful places
on campus: the Bowers Rhododendron Collection on Comstock Knoll, home to over 130 different varieties of rhododendron and azalea.

“The Hangovers” - Allan Hosie Treman '21 Memorial Concert
Nevin Welcome Center lawn
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Relax in the shade and enjoy this performance by The Hangovers, the popular a capella subset of the Cornell Glee Club.  Refreshments provided.

Cascadilla Gorge Trail vanadalized again

Published: 
3 years 41 weeks ago
The Cascadilla Gorge Trail was vandalized for the second time in six months this week.

"We spent six years trying to get the gorge trail fully reopened, a huge commitment, and it was really fantastic to hear the response of the community to having the trail reopened, to feel safe, to look beautiful, to look like a historic gorge trail should look," said Plantations director of Natural Areas, Todd Bittner.

Seven different areas have now been defaced, including staircases, part of a stone wall, the new cement staircase, under the stone arch foot bridge and part of a retaining wall. The removal could cost up to $20,000.

Read more in the following articles:

Ithaca Journal: Cascadilla Gorge Trail vanadalized again, May 28

Ithaca Voice: Ithaca’s reopened Cascadilla Gorge Trail vandalized again, May 28

WHCU: Gorge vandalism clean up could be difficult and costly, May 29

Plantations staff help Cornell Class of 2015 honor lives lost

Published: 
3 years 41 weeks ago

Plantations natural areas staff helped the senior honor society Quill & Dagger plant a grove of trees along Cascadilla Creek to celebrate the students of the Class of 2015 whose lives were lost. In addition, the senior class, spearheaded by Lara Keskinkaya and Sam Coleman, raised
funds to plant a “Tribute Tree” on the pathway between the Engineering
Quad and Collegetown, for seven members of the Class of 2015 who died.

President Skorton paid tribute to these gestures in his Commencement speech on May 24. Read more in the Cornell Chronicle article, "At Commencement, Skorton confers the 'generosity of spirit.'"

 

Cornell Plantations Contributes to Cornell’s STARS 2014 Gold Rating

Published: 
3 years 42 weeks ago
In the continuing effort to save energy, enhance environmental operations and increase sustainability research and education, Cornell earned its fourth consecutive gold STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS – the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System – is a self-reporting tool that colleges and universities can use to measure progress and compare their rankings. Cornell is one of 75 schools earning gold status out of 299 rated schools for 2014.
Participating schools self-report on ways that they are contributing to the sustainability from student life, to carbon sequestering, and even to preserving bio-diversity on it’s campus.  

Click here to read more on the Plantations Tumblr blog.

Plant Sale, Saturday June 6

Published: 
3 years 42 weeks ago
Take home some of our gardeners’ top picks for your own home landscape! Offerings will include a wide variety of perennials, and some new additions to the horticulture trade. We have several varieties of peonies, baptisia, hellebores, geum and nepeta. Recess Coffee from Syracuse, NY will be on hand selling their delicious artisan brews and baked goods beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Date/time: Saturday, June 6; 9:00 a.m. – noon
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Location: Cornell Plantations Plant Production Facility, 397 Forest Home Drive
For more information, call 607-255-2400 or contact [email protected]

Member-Only Early Bird Preview: Friday, June 5; 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
This is an exclusive opportunity for current Plantations members and donors to shop early for the best selection at our spring Plant Sale.  And, the first 50 members to arrive will receive a free packet of our beautiful note cards! Not a member? Join now online or that day at the Plant Sale Preview. For more information, email Lori Hammond-Colwell or call 607-255-8734.

Evening wildflower walk this Thursday!

Published: 
3 years 43 weeks ago
Tour the woodland pathways and plant habitats of the Mundy Wildflower Garden, an 8-acre natural area with naturalistic
gardens on Thursday, May 14 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Early spring is the ideal season for learning the natural history and identification of wildflowers such as Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, bloodroot, and Solomon’s seal. There is no registration required, but we are asking for a $5 suggested donation.

Date/time: Thursday, May 14; 7 - 8 p.m.
Cost: $5 suggested donation; pre-registration is not required
Instructor: Krissy Boys, staff gardener
Location: Meet at the entrance to the Mundy Wildflower Garden, located at the intersection of Caldwell Road and Forest Home Drive. Limited free parking is available.

Questions? Contact Kevin Moss at [email protected] or call 274-7430

Celebrate spring with a visit to our gardens and natural areas!

Published: 
3 years 44 weeks ago
Spring is in full swing here, just in time for Mother's Day weekend. This week's warm weather has coaxed the tulips, daffodils, magnolias, crabapples, cherries and spring woodland wildflowers to bloom.

In the Botanical Garden

Hundreds of daffodils are in bloom on Conifer Slope.

Many varieties of tulips are blooming in the Young Flower Garden.

The first of the rhododendrons are blooming on Comstock Knoll, including Rhododendron 'Mary Fleming,' planted last season (shown above). This is one of 12 varieties planted in the rhododendron collection that were bred by Guy Nearing, whom the Nearing Summerhouse was named in honor of.

In the F. R. Newman Arboretum

Magnolias, crabapples and cherries have just started blooming in the Flowering Tree Collection and Flowering Crabapple Collection.

In the Mundy Wildflower Garden

Now is the time to visit the Mundy Wildflower Garden to enjoy the delicate early-blooming woodand wildflowers. Trilliums, hepaticas, trout lilies (shown above), bellwort and dutchman's britches are just a few of the dozens of species growing there.