Cornell Botanic Gardens embraces and actively works to increase diversity among all the communities with which we engage—Cornell students, faculty, and staff, visitors, supporters, its employees, and its plant collections. We envision a world where biological and cultural diversity are respected, sustained and celebrated. We cemented our commitment to that vision with our name change in 2016, and our new mission and vision that embrace biocultural diversity and conservation. Our Strategic Plan established a road map for our organization to lead public gardens and conservation stakeholders in advancing biological and cultural diversity through programs, initiatives, and priorities. ‘We envision a world where biological and cultural diversity are respected, sustained and celebrated.
We share Cornell University’s commitment to combat biases in all forms and to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. Many resources for advancing anti-racism, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other biases due to religion are available at the university’s D&I resources page.
Steps taken to achieve diversity and inclusion goals
Cultivating Connection Through Plants with Colah B Tawkin
Colah B Tawkin, founder of the Black in the Garden podcast, visited Cornell and hosted a series of events focused on the celebratory uses of plants in Black cultures.
Seeds of Survival and Celebration returns to honor Black history, knowledge, and culture
The exhibition returns with an expanded plant collection, more stories, and vernacular garden features reflective of African American culture.
Akwe:kon Garden Hopes to Heal and Honor Indigenous Students
Cornell Daily Sun— August 31, 2023
A new garden developed in collaboration with Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Learning by Leading program, offers Indigenous students a place for healing and belonging.
Ripples of lavender honor Pride month
A rich bouquet of flowers found throughout Cornell’s Botanic Gardens hold meaning for the LGBTQ+ community, which has long embraced the six colors of the rainbow: red for life; orange for healing; yellow for sunlight; green for nature; indigo for serenity; violet for spirit.
Collaboration brings healing, honoring garden to Akwe:kon
A new garden at Akwe:kon, established by students from the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program and Cornell Botanic Gardens, aims to honor Indigenous students and their connection to the land.
Seeds of Survival and Celebration
This garden and exhibit tell stories of the deep connections of the formerly enslaved to plants and illustrate their contributions to the cuisines enjoyed across American society today.
Acclaimed artist brings forth student poetry
Cornell students in The Art of Horticulture course blended nature and sensory experience to create poetry in a workshop led by Nigerian-American artist Precious Okoyomon.
Collaboration plants seeds for cultural, biological conservation
A campus collaboration with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ’ (Cayuga Nation) seeks to conserve biodiversity and simultaneously safeguard human cultural values and traditions.
Art and exhibits illustrate hope for climate resilience
Art, exhibits, and emerging knowledge come together at Cornell Botanic Gardens to express the ways in which Indigenous and rural communities around the world are adapting to disruptions caused by the climate crisis.
Carolyn Finney: 2020 Vision, A Black Walden Pond & Other Musings
Dr. Finney explores the complexities and contradictions of American history as it relates to green space and race.
Botanic Gardens mural nurtures connections with plants
Cornell Botanic Gardens has unveiled a new outdoor art installation: a two-story mural, created in […]
Veterans honored at Cornell Botanic Gardens
Explore some of the places at Cornell Botanic Gardens that recognize the service of veterans across generations.
Alumni Diversity Leaders at Cornell Botanic Gardens
Snacks (Alumni Affairs and Development news)—June 16, 2022
During Reunion 2022, Matt Palumbo ’83, president of the Cornell Asian Alumni Association, coordinated a meeting with fellow alumni diversity leaders to set preliminary plans to engage more diverse alumni with the botanic gardens.
Sassafras: Native gem of North America
Sassafras is a North American tree steeped in Indigenous culture throughout its range within deciduous woodlands of the northeast and southeast United States.
Verdant Views: Anti-racism in the Outdoors
How to make natural spaces more open and welcoming to people of color.
Cornell Botanic Gardens brings new Cayuga language class to life
Class instructor Stephen Henhawk, Cayuga speaker and historian, discussed his class in this three-minute video.
Ornithologist to speak on increasing diversity in conservation
Ornithologist J. Drew Lanham will talk about how conservation efforts benefit from racial diversity among those who advocate for conserving the natural world.
‘Sioux Chef’ on restoring indigenous foods, bridging cultures
Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Fall Lecture Series hosted Sean Sherman, founder/CEO of The Sioux Chef, described the connections between indigenous food systems, food security, and health.
Cornell Botanic Gardens celebrates Mexica/Aztec connections to plants and foods, and the love of chocolate
Mexica/Aztec artist, storyteller, musician featured in O’Connor Lecture and entertains at the Chocolatada!
Verdant Views: Global Climate Stories, 2022
In honor of Earth Day 2022, international students at Cornell share stories of the challenges they face in their home countries.
Painting on a living canvas: Summer internship reveals creative beauty at Cornell Botanic Gardens
CornellCALS—September 4, 2018
Alex Schaef ’20, describes his summer internship at Cornell Botanic Gardens and how it inspired him to create art daily and potentially as his career.
A Botanist in China
Supporting planning for the Yellow & Bohai Sea World Heritage site in China is one of the ways in which Cornell Botanic Gardens is addressing global conservation issues.
“Invisible Blue” Watercolors by Eder Muniz
Fifteen vibrant water color paintings by the artist who created the new magical mural behind the Nevin Welcome Center.
A “Walk” in the Garden: A Virtual Visit for the LGBTQ+ Community
Unwind and experience nature virtually, and learn more about Cornell Botanic Gardens in this pre-recorded webinar for LGBTQ+ community.
Go ‘Wild at Cornell’ with artist, plant stylist Hilton Carter
Artist, interior designer and plant stylist Hilton Carter will inspire audiences to transform their living spaces into green landscapes in “Wild at Cornell,” the Cornell Botanic Gardens’ William J. Hamilton Lecture.
Words Before All Else
Learn more about the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ people by watching and listening to Steve Henhawk, a Cayuga speaker and historian.
Statement on Racism, Violence, and Hope
Our only hope for resilience, and path to meet our need to adapt, grow, and flourish lies in the diversity of people, plants, and all living creatures.
Statement on Anti-Asian Violence
Along with the campus community, we denounce acts of racism, violence and hatred, and stand firmly with our Asian and Asian American friends and colleagues.