With thoughtful planning, design, and construction, the Nevin Welcome Center was built to minimize its environmental impact and was awarded the GOLD level of certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Around the Welcome Center and throughout our grounds, we employ green infrastructure—a practice of integrating natural systems into the built environment.
More about our green building and infrastructure
A lawn sown with native grasses does a world of good. Learn why and how to create one.
Interactive maps tell the visual story of how our biologically-diverse landscapes capture carbon and advance Cornell’s Climate Action Plan
This pollinator pathway was developed by four Cornell undergraduates to address pollinator decline in the Ithaca community.
Throughout Cornell Botanic Gardens, we demonstrate sustainable landscape practices “from the ground up”—from amending your soil, to producing mulch, to choosing plants and conserving rainwater.
Minimize the use of chemical pesticides.
We make every effort to conserve energy, water, and other resources.
As a botanic garden, conserving plant diversity is key to our mission.
We exchange ideas with Cornell faculty, staff, and students to test and develop innovative sustainable practices and share them with our visitors and community.