Our Efforts

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 important

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Control

The presence of hemlock woolly adelgid, which has decimated eastern hemlock stands throughout the eastern U.S., poses a significant threat to our natural areas.

What you can do

Emerald Ash Borer

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.

What we’re doing

Featured Efforts

Treatments give campus ash tree protection a limb up

Some 50 priority ash trees within campus natural areas were treated with pesticide injections donated by Arborjet.

Cornell plans response against emerald ash borer

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 Botanic Gardens receives grant to conserve, research hemlock

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.

Volunteer to Control Invasive Species

Work with our skilled natural areas staff to protect our 3,600 acres of natural areas.

VIEW CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES