Not only do we control invasives in our natural areas, we work to prevent their spread and help prevent new species from becoming established. We focus on controlling the most damaging plant species, including pale swallow-wort (Cynanchum rossicum), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), and amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii).
Why this is importantThe presence of hemlock woolly adelgid, which has decimated eastern hemlock stands throughout the eastern U.S., poses a significant threat to our natural areas.
Since its discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been found across the midwest and northeast, including Tompkins County and Cornell Botanic Gardens.
Some 50 priority ash trees within campus natural areas were treated with pesticide injections donated by Arborjet.
Cornell Chronicle—May 21, 2018, Staff at Cornell Botanic Gardens and Facilities and Campus Services are collaborating with faculty and students to address inevitable loss of trees. article.
Cornell Chronicle—October 20, 2017, Cornell Botanic Gardens received a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to continue and expand its work to conserve hemlock trees that are foundational to the university’s campus and natural areas.
Work with our skilled natural areas staff to protect our 3,600 acres of natural areas.
Your support—of any amount—will help us continue to preserve our irreplaceable natural areas and protect the diversity of their plant communities.