ANNUAL REPORT 2018
In words attributed to retired U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki, “If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more.” Well, a lot has changed at Cornell Botanic Gardens, and I am convinced that our relevance to the university, the community, and the world has increased dramatically. In 2018, we adopted a new five-year strategic plan. Although such plans are often developed with the best of intentions (namely, a thoughtful way to develop priorities and to map a road forward), they often sit on shelves. Not here! Each of us on the staff has embraced the plan and made significant contributions to advancing our aim of creating a world of diversity, beauty, and hope. It is astonishing how much we have accomplished in 12 short months. You can read a sampling of our work, grouped under the overarching goals of Grow, Inspire, and Connect. Much of what inspires us is increasing awareness of the essential interdependence between the plant world and our human experiences. The diversity of humankind is a result of the diversity of the natural world with which we co-evolved. Nature is not separate from us. It is a part of us, as we are of it. This relationship between the world’s biological diversity and human cultural diversity is referred to as “biocultural diversity.” During the past year, we have made major advances related to this concept. We are now including biocultural components in our education and interpretation programs. We have established a Faculty Fellows program to engage Cornell faculty (in Natural Resources, Plant Sciences, Art, English, Law, and History) in our biocultural mission. Fear not! We have not lost sight of our central mission-driven activities: world-class horticulture, engaging education programs, and critical conservation efforts. By bringing a biocultural focus to them, Cornell Botanic Gardens increases its relevance, impact, and leadership in a world facing environmental and cultural degradation in virtually every corner. One testament to the great work we are doing is the 2018 Convention and Visitors Bureau survey, which identified Cornell Botanic Gardens as the #1 destination in Tompkins County. We achieved this while also supporting 28 Cornell student and faculty research projects, 60 Cornell classes, serving our local community, and leading the newly formed U.S. National Committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. There is more coming in 2019. We have launched a new web presence with features that invite you to enjoy Cornell Botanic Gardens from anywhere, and that we hope will inspire you to embrace biocultural diversity. We’re planning new gardens and event spaces, along with art installations that will complement our living collections. None of this is possible without the amazing talents of the botanic gardens’ staff. Moreover, we would not have the resources to achieve greatness without your considerable support. Thank you!
Christopher P. Dunn, Ph.D. The Elizabeth Newman Wilds Director Monkey Run natural area, Horticulturist Emily Detrick teaching in The Art of Horticulture, participants in the American Horticultural Society’s National Youth Gardening Symposium visiting the Herb Garden, Beautyberry Callicarpa ‘Purple Pearls’.
Energizing Horticulture for the Future Managing and enhancing our diverse horticultural collections calls for curatorial vision and stewardship—the principal responsibility of a director of horticulture. In 2018, a bequest from Elizabeth Weaver ’57 empowered us to attract and hire top-flight talent for this role. The newly established Elizabeth Weaver Director of Horticulture will oversee collections of more than 10,078 accessioned plants and 3,044 trees, supervise a staff of 18, and provide for the ongoing care and enhancement of 100 acres, comprising the cultivated gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center and the F. R. Newman Arboretum. “Elizabeth Weaver’s generosity is an investment in our mission and a statement of confidence in our work,” said Christopher Dunn, the Elizabeth Newman Wilds Director of Cornell Botanic Gardens. “Her foresight in designating the gift to establish an endowment means that we will have a permanent stream of income to support the director of horticulture position, as well as to create exciting gardens that help nurture the connections people have to plants.”
GROW Embarked on a major upgrade to make our living collections, plant, and tree data accessible and available to students, researchers, and the public, enabled by a $194,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences Made significant improvements to our physical spaces and their safe use, including: • Development and installation of wayfinding signs, enhancing use of Beebe Lake natural area and clearly connecting it to gardens and natural areas beyond (Funded by David Russo, ’82) • Expansion of Fischer Old Growth natural area with land gift and maintenance endowment (Land gift and endowment by Lenore and David K. Bandler, ’55, MPS ’71) • Natural areas restoration, including slope stabilization in Cascadilla Gorge, and improvements to Fall Creek Gorge Rim Trail • Expansion of gorge safety messaging to reach more than 5,700 incoming undergraduate and graduate students at Cornell Advanced conservation of rare species and safeguarded natural ecosystems by: • Managing invasive species and non-native plants through efforts that included implementing a $75,000 grant for hemlock woolly adelgid control; treating 50 ash trees to protect from emerald ash borer, in partnership with Arborjet. • Initiated study by a student intern to enhance habitat for the rare American globeflower (Trollius laxus)
INSPIRE Fostered knowledge and appreciation of plants and their role in human wellbeing and cultures, by: • Engaging with more than 3,100 Cornell alumni, 6,500 Cornell students, local adults and families, 1,650 school children, and 70,000 site visitors • Hosting our Judy’s Day Family Learning Festival showcasing the fascinating world of plant families through engaging plant activities. • Piloting a storytelling program aimed at nurturing the vital emotional connection between people and plants • Co-teaching middle- and high-school courses and Cornell courses such as The Art of Horticulture, Arboriculture; Applied Tree Care; Botanic Gardens Fall Lecture Series, and Independent Studies • Offering educational and social events, classes, and tours. • Curating art exhibits with area artists, and in collaboration with Cornell University faculty and students, such as Denise Green ’07, assistant professor of fiber science and apparel design in the College of Human Ecology. • Sponsoring a summer internship program, where Cornell students are mentored by professional botanic gardens’ staff Introduced biocultural focus to popular programs, such as: • Hosting lecture by James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Sherman, on restoring indigenous food systems • Implementing new labels in the Mundy Wildflower Garden, interpreting biological and cultural significance of plants • Developed a new website focused on visitor and university experiences
Painting on a Living Canvas: Summer Internship at Cornell Botanic Gardens The feeling of waking up each weekday morning, knowing that I would play a significant role in the development of a growing, living art project, is like no other. Cornell Botanic Gardens is a massive canvas, saturated with a beautiful array of animated elements. As a summer horticulture intern, my sowing and planting added substance to the brush, and my weeding and mulching added contrast to the stroke. After almost every work day, I spent my time painting, drawing, and sculpting – honing in on what it means to be a gardener, and more broadly, what it means to be alive, from the perspective of both a human and the plants around me. As the summer unfolded, the internship became an embodiment of creative liberation, a source of imaginative passion, and a landmark of personal and enlightened growth. Ironically, the internship helped me realize that I do not want to pursue a horticulturebased occupation in the future, but rather use my plant-science knowledge and handson gardening experience to assist in my artistic endeavors, and blossom as an inspirited artisan following graduation. —Alex Schaef, ’20, is a viticulture and enology major
Recognizing those who gave $500 or more to Cornell Botanic Gardens, January 1–December 31, 2018
Cornell Tower Club ($10,000+) Elaine and John Alexander Elizabeth Anderson David and Lenore Bandler Nancy Bartels Philip Bartels Ruth and Peter Bleyler Butler Family Foundation Jay Cantor Amie Chang and Henry Massey Anne Church John Clark Alice Corbin Patricia DeCoursey Paul and Virginia DuBowy John M. Elliott Elizabeth Fillo and Chris Coucill Mary Elizabeth Gill Andrea Glanz and James Irish Adelaide Park Gomer William Gratz and James Bruno Susan Halpern Marilyn Hicks L. William and Brit Kay Florence and Howard Loomis Anna Lowi and Dan Ferguson Jason Lowi Anne and Keith Moffat Park Nobel John Norelli Park Foundation Roy and Tetlow Park Daniel Pope Elizabeth and Jean Rowley David Russo and Mary Gail Gearns Sirus Fund James Spencer and Christine Huard Peter Stifel Martin Tang Roger and Karen Thomas Triad Foundation Chris Wien
Cascadilla Circle ($5,000–$9,999) Beth Anderson Ned Bandler and Jean Douglas David and Joanna Beitel Madeleine Miller Bennett Bridgewood Fieldwater Foundation
David Brittenham and Carolyn Summers Susan Cosmopulos Robert and Vanne Cowie Nancy Doyle Bradley and Mary Grainger Siran Hajinazarian Brigitte and Michael Harney Harney & Sons Tea Corporation Neil Janovic and Cathleen Hull Lee Laden Estate of Bertha Lewis Wayne Merkelson and Nancy Roistacher Edwin and Linda Morgens Marcia and Thomas Morton New York State Arborists Barbara Goldman Novick and Barry Novick Robert Ramin and Denise DeConcini Kamalakar Rao Pamela and Paul Salvatore William and Virginia Taylor Lisa and Michael Ullmann
Oak ($1,000–$4,999) Robert H. Abrams Suzanne Aigen Phyllis Allen John and Laura Almquist Philip Ammirato Anonymous Bettie Lowi Baer Susan Basile Douglas Bates and Mini Pathria Nancy and William Bellamy Anita and Stefan Belman Richard and Elaine Bushey Charles and Kathryn Camisa Robert Camp and Marjorie Smart Anthony and Gail Cashen Susan and Stephen Chamberlin Karen and Mark Colonna Jean Craig Linda Craugh Janet Crites Peter Davies and Linda Denoyer Nancy and William DeCou Christine and Thomas Dombrowski Joan Egrie Jane Engel Barney and Julie Feinblum Donald and Carol Fellner David Fernandez and Elizabeth Lawson
Francille and John Firebaugh John Foote Jr. and Kristen Rupert Raymond Fox Laura Fratt and Michael Isby Jeffrey and Judith Gelfand Gail and Thomas Giordano Fairfax and Frederick Gouldin Howard and Joanne Greenberg Jill and Steven Greenspan Alfred Hamilton and Diana Wainrib Michael and Doris Haruk Nellie Hay Betta and James Hedlund Vincent Herman Matthew Hintsa Moira Hintsa Elizabeth and John Howell David Jordan Alan and Julie Kanders Kanders Foundation Beatrice Kanders and Jeffrey Hoffman Jeanne Kanders Frederick Korz Gloria Kulhawy Paula Laholt and Richard Oeste Robert Lefkowitz Leichtag Foundation Frances Li and Carl Schaefer Beverly and Joseph Libretti Beth and Peter Marks Lucy Masterman Anne and Ed McLaughlin Camille and Ian McLeod Jon Minikes and Susan Backstrom Lester and Sue Morss Agnes Moy-Sarns and David Sarns Dorothy Mullestein Martha Nakamura Nancy Neal Marian Nease Allen Newman Christopher and Suzanne Nolan Mary Ann Oyer Joanne and Richard Pirret James and Wendysue Prout David and Jane Pyle Inge and Uwe Reichenbach Philip and Nancy Reilly John and Pat Richards David and Joyce Rivas Frank and Jeannine Robertson Robison Family Foundation John and Laura Roche Carolyn Sampson
Vaughn Sayles Alan and Geraldine Schechter Mary Schmidt Margaret Schroeder Barbara and Robert Seraphin W. Ming Shao Anne and Robert Shaw Frederick and Jean Siefke Stefan Singer and Sarah Rombom Eric and Mary Smith J. Allen Smith and Katherine Megrue-Smith John Smith and Cornelia Saltus Judith Stoikov and Richard Miller Joseph and Marlene Stregack Andrew and Sarah Topus Charles and Nancy Trautmann Estate of Helen Tryon Jan Upalakalin John and Ruth Vaughn David Weinstein and Christina Stark Stefani and Steven Weiss Gray and Paul Wexelblat Carolyn and Rittner Will Kenneth and Sharon Wilson Theodore and Gertrude Winsburg Alexander Winter Yukang Xu and Weiling Li
Trillium ($500–$999) James Amick Peter Arden Donald and Dorothy Armstrong Oliver and Allison Bajracharya Robert Bauer Gary and Judith Baum Lois and William Black Jacqueline and Richard Bower James and Terry Byrnes Marilyn Cane Dennis Carroll Center for Plant Conservation Brian Chabot and Kathleen Rasmussen Donald Christiansen John and Karen Coffin Roy Curtiss and Josephine Clark-Curtiss Maya Crone and Scott McNulty Robin Daly Susan and William Day Sharon Detzer Christopher and Mei-Ran Dunn Susan Egloff
Linda and Richard Ely Jennifer Engel and Lawrence Young Suzanne and Phillip Ergastolo Erica and Howard Evans James and Kathleen Gaffney Robert Goodman Frances Gotcsik Constance and Richard Haggard Mary and Stephen Hamilton Dana Harris Richard and Amy Heinrich Florence Higgins and John Lebens Richard and Carrie Higgins Susan and Stephen Holden Janice and Howard Horn Meyer Horn Peter Horton and Jane de Leon Barbara and Steven Ingham Eric Johnson Luella Johnson Paul Skeen Jones Philip Jones Robert Joyce Brenda and James Kline Daniel Lane Janet and William Lutz Robert and Katherine Lyle Gregory and Susan Martin Margaret Mathewson and Duane Nordick James and Susan McCullough Wayne and Elizabeth Mezitt Sue and William Morrill Marcia Neuburger Lillian and Robert Panagulias Roland Philip and Linda Sandhaus William Pinchbeck and Joanie Kilton Mary and Paul Poggi Vincent Poon Christine and Christopher Rakov Donald and Sue Rakow Scott and Tricia Reines Frank and Rosa Rhodes Thomas Richardson Marga Rogers Debra and Jan Rothman Sonya L. Savkar Xu and Hang Xu Ashley Seidman Mary Shuford James Sosa and Lorraine Longfellow David and Stacy Spicka Karen Stewart Susie Su Lynn and Mark Swain Diane Tohn
Fred and Susan Van Sickle Dorothea and Terry Warren Walter Wynkoop and Carrie Edelman
Cayuga Society The Cayuga Society at Cornell honors friends and alumni who establish planned gifts to the university or provide for Cornell in their wills. Cayuga Society members listed here have specified gifts to Cornell Botanic Gardens. Elizabeth Anderson Robert and Sandra Armstrong Beverly Baker Donald Barnes Nancy and William Bellamy Ruth and Peter Bleyler David and Mary Call Jay Cantor Charles Cawley Brenda Colthart Glenn and Madolyn Dallas Susan and William Day William DeCou Paul DeBowy Elizabeth Fillo Maralyn Fleming Raymond Fox Bradley and Mary Grainger Torrance Harder Ellen Hayes Carrie Makover Shirley McGrath Anne Moffat Marcia Morton John Norelli William Osgood Cora Parsons Roland Philip Daniel Pope John and Pat Richards Barbara Rissmeyer Elizabeth and Jean Rowley Robert and Anne Shaw Theodore Sneed James and Patricia Stocker
Collaborating for Art and Awareness The natural area around Beebe Lake hosted an art installation in spring 2018 by students in the Introduction to Print Media. The installation aimed to create a visual representation of one of the greatest land-management challenges faced by the university—infestation of hemlock and ash trees by hemlock woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer, respectively. The project was a collaboration between Cornell Botanic Gardens and Professor Gregory Page of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. The students marked hemlocks with yellow ribbons and ash trees with purple ribbons, so visitors to Beebe Lake could imagine what that space would look like if those trees were gone. Todd Bittner, director of natural areas, led a field class session, where students learned about the destruction caused by hemlock woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer and efforts to manage and mitigate them in on- and off-campus forests. Students in the class extended their artistic work to an exhibit in the Nevin Welcome Center, where they displayed stone and aluminum plate lithography prints to increase awareness of the risk to forests posed by the woolly adelgid and emerald ash borer.
CONNECT Forged meaningful, mission-advancing relationships with Cornell faculty, students, and alumni by: • Piloting student-led projects such as the Botanic Buzzline pollinator trail • Supporting 28 student and faculty research projects, including experimental planting of 70,000 mixed bulbs in collaboration with Professor William Miller, of the School of Integrative Plant Science. • Securing college approval of a new Faculty Fellows program • Collaborating with Cornell faculty in use of Cornell Botanic Gardens for teaching and research, hosting visits from 60 classes across 7 schools and colleges • Leveraging the networks of Cornell alumni to reach broader audiences on topics such as the importance of native plants, the intersection of art and the natural world, and urban landscapes. Activities included a garden party hosted by Carolyn Summers at her Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve in the Catskills. Influenced individuals and organizations to embrace the imperative for biocultural conservation by: • Advocating for peer university and public gardens to work individually and collectively to advance conservation of biological and cultural diversity • Leading the newly formed U.S. National Committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, chaired by executive director Christopher Dunn • Placing articles and broadcast interviews in university, regional, and broader media outlets to highlight Cornell Botanic Gardens’ mission-focused activities
INCOME Endowment income, gifts from alumni and friends, and grants provide the lion’s share of the support we need to sustain our gardens, natural areas, and educational programs.
$1,624,784
44%
$745,280
20%
$62,031
2%
Grants and Contracts
$211,545
6%
University Allocations
$494,285
13%
Earned Income
$62,706
2%
Use of Reserves
$392,484
11%
Prior Year Fund Balances
$111,599
3%
$3,704,714
100%
Horticulture
$921,349
25%
Education
$509,047
14%
University Allocated Costs
$484,049
13%
Administration
$694,564
19%
Natural Areas
$405,256
11%
Facilities, Equipment, Supplies
$299,287
8%
Communications
$92,177
2%
Visitor Services
$84,514
2%
$214,471
6%
$3,704,714
100%
Endowment Income Gifts and Memberships Prior Year Gifts & Bequests
72%
EXPENSE
Development
Fiscal Year July 1, 2017—June 30, 2018
Clockwise from left: Horticulturist Zaidee Powers cultivating our collections, Judy’s Day Family Festival celebrates plant families, The Sioux Chef Sean Sherman visiting with faculty and students in Cornell’s American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program, students enjoying Beebe Lake.
SUPPORT At Cornell Botanic Gardens, we dream of connecting plants and peoples for a world of diversity, beauty, and hope. In 2018, our dream became manifest in impactful and beautiful ways, from growing our gardens and natural areas, to inspiring people to understand and appreciate plants, to making connections across Cornell and local communities. Picture the moment of wonder, when a third-grader gently brushes back leaves in the Mundy Wildflower Garden, to find a Virginia bluebell beginning to bloom; or when a community member first shares the story of a houseplant that forever connects him to the memory of his brother. These are the moments that keep us pursuing our dream, one that is coming true because of you, our supporters. In the coming year, we will be implementing strategic initiatives that advance the connection of plants and peoples, creating new gardens that inspire people to appreciate plants and the cultures they sustain, and securing endowments that support the foundational work that makes possible all we do. We depend on your financial support to sustain our operations, to remain free and open to all, and to bring the wonder of plants and their cultural importance to Cornell and broader communities. Dream with us in 2019 with your gift to Cornell Botanic Gardens. Help us make progress toward a world of beauty, diversity, and hope.
Photo contributions by: Conmisojos, Mike Ludgate, Brian Maley, Jay Potter, Sonja Skelly Clockwise from left: Natural Areas Steward Mike Roberts leading a student tour of Fall Creek Gorge, Rhododendron on Comstock Knoll, Cascadilla Gorge, third grade students discovering and learning about our wildflowers.
2019 | 2K | JP932