ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Our worlds are finally opening again. As the pandemic wanes (temporarily or not), I step tentatively into a mask-free community and workplace. While I expected to experience overwhelming joy in the shedding of a piece of cloth from my face, instead I am stepping into confusion, worry, hesitancy. Am I doing the right thing for myself, my family, my coworkers, my community? Even though public health experts say it is fine to move about with face uncovered, I find myself doubting. Doubt or not, masks are coming off at Cornell Botanic Gardens and the university. Subtle (and not so subtle) facial expressions can be seen, smiles and frowns are apparent, lips moving in the physical manifestation of speech. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Cornell Botanic Gardens has been unmasked—open, accessible, and welcoming. The natural world, the humming and drumming of nature, the earth from which our species was birthed, never closed. Many of you spent more time than ever outdoors, whether in your garden, our gardens and natural areas, or other pockets of nature. I know because you told me and wrote to me. One correspondent wrote, “You were our lifeline.” Thank you for acknowledging the hard work that kept us “unmasked,” but Nature was the true lifeline for us all. It reminded us of who we are, how Nature heals, and how we must rekindle a harmonious relationship with the natural world. At Cornell Botanic Gardens, we are opening in ways beyond physical access to the gardens, arboretum, and natural areas. We are opening the minds of students in our new Learning by Leading program; of our community, with a greater sense of environmental justice and access to nature for all; and of our visitors, with a new awareness of the critical links between plants and cultures. As we emerge from the rigors of the past two years, I invite you to rekindle your soul here at the botanic gardens, whether in person or through our rich digital resources. I hope that the stories in this report will inspire you to join us in creating a world of diversity, beauty, and hope.
Christopher P. Dunn, Ph.D. The Elizabeth Newman Wilds Director
Cover photo: Yi Wen. Photo contributions by: Vincent Ciampaglione, Emily Detrick, Michael Estrada, Jay Potter, Paul Schmitt, Sonja Skelly, Daniel Sossover, Werner Sun, F. Robert Wesley, Jakara Zellner.
Clockwise from left: Cornell students on class and lab visits; Exhibit that reveals the importance and impact of the Ecological Calendars and Climate Adaptation Project (ECCAP) and its potential for helping communities adapt to climate change. Houston Pond at the F.R. Newman Arboretum.
Clockwise from left: Double Allium sculpture created by U.K-artist Jenny Pickford; wrought-iron arboretum gates, forged by local artist Durand VanDoren; Lowi Lawn, designed for the enjoyment of lawn games; Hemlock Gorge.
GROW Enhancing outdoor spaces In 2021, Cornell Botanic Gardens introduced new outdoor spaces and enhanced others, making our grounds more welcoming and accessible, thanks to donors’ love of Cornell and the gardens. Custom wrought-iron gates by prominent local artist Durand Van Doren now mark the Caldwell Road entrance to the F.R. Newman Arboretum. Given by the late Patricia DeCoursey ’54, the gates display silhouettes of the structure and branching habits typical of trees in our collections. A new bench and pocket garden in the F.R. Newman Arboretum enhance the beauty of the arboretum. Given by Richard Rideout B.A.’66, M.A.’69, Ph.D. ’74 and Clara Nan Rideout ’66, the area honors their multi-generational Cornell legacy. A new lawn space west of the Nevin Welcome Center honors the late Theodore Lowi, beloved professor of government. Designed for lawn games, the space aims to attract Cornell students. The Lowi Lawn was given by Lowi’s children, Anna A. Lowi ’87, R. Daniel “Dan” Ferguson ’85, and Jason Lowi. An Asian-inspired arbor now creates a shady, intimate haven for visitors to the Young Flower Garden. Given by Robert W. Shaw, Jr., BS ’63, MS ’64 and Anne Meads Shaw ’64, the arbor completes a charming arrangement, with bench, rustic stone watering trough, and sculptural, pollarded catalpa tree in the northeastern corner of the flower garden. Improving tree ecosystem health with Living Mulch Cornell Botanic Gardens piloted a new approach to tree care known as “living mulch.” Enabled by a partnership with and grant from Cornell’s Waste Management Institute, we designed and implemented three living mulch sites in the F.R. Newman Arboretum. Living mulch is a groundcover of carefully selected native plants that provide pollinator habitat and are low-growing and likely to outcompete weeds. This pilot helps shift Cornell Botanic Gardens away from conventional tree-care practices in which weed-free mulch rings are installed under trees for aesthetic appeal, equipment maneuverability, and access, rather than for tree and ecosystem health. Living mulch reduces inputs required for maintenance, such as herbicide, fossil fuels, staff and volunteer labor, small machine use, and conventional mulch, and provides habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
INSPIRE Developing the next generation of environmental leaders Cultivating a new generation of environmental leaders through stewardship, co-creation, and sense of place is at the heart of our new Learning by Leading (LxL) program for Cornell undergraduate students. Cornell Botanic Gardens formed three student-led teams: Sustainable Landscapes, Horticultural Enterprise, and Garden Ambassadors. Thirty students now learn and lead alongside the botanic gardens’ professional staff, focusing on outreach to students. The Horticultural Enterprise team sold more than $5,000 worth of plants to students, community members, and alumni, while learning how to propagate plants, schedule growing cycles, and prepare for and host plant sales. This team also led “Houseplant 101” sessions for incoming students . The Sustainable Landscapes team learned about our regions’ native flora, how to restore sites devastated by the loss of native ash trees, and led tours of our sustainable landscapes for new students. The Garden Ambassador team created an interactive outdoor space—the Gratitude Project—to promote mindfulness and invite visitors to reflect on how plants and nature enrich their lives. Stewarding wetlands for conservation and enjoyment In 1907, Cornell University acquired its natural area (a wetland known today as Lighthouse Point). Today, Cornell Botanic Gardens protects and manages wetlands representing examples of all types found in central New York. These areas support research, class use, and access for the broader public, and include gorges and falls, peat-filled bogs, calcareous fens, wooded seeps, cattail marshes, beaver meadows, riparian woodlands, and ephemeral ponds. Perhaps more so than other habitats, wetlands exemplify the interconnectedness of people and nature. A hike on the 10 miles of trails at Monkey Run along Fall Creek reminds visitors of the source of Cornell’s water and how critical land protection and management are to providing clean drinking water. As heavy precipitation events become more frequent due to climate change, our wetlands and floodplains play a critical role in buffering flood events that affect the broader community. Wetlands store vast quantities of carbon, making their conservation and stewardship a key climate mitigation strategy. Enabling access to these wetlands requires significant, ongoing investment in infrastructure. Our 31 miles of marked public trails feature boardwalks, footbridges, staircases, and overlooks. In 2021, we refurbished boardwalks that span a floating mat bog at our Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area and another that leads to a wildlife observation tower overlooking a large wetland bisected by Cascadilla Creek at the Ellis Hollow Wetlands Natural Area.
Clockwise from left: Learning by Leading student teams—plant sale by Horticultural Enterprises team, and Gratitude Project installation by Garden Ambassadors team; Fall Creek from above.
Recognizing those who gave $500 or more to Cornell Botanic Gardens, January 1–December 31, 2021 Director's Circle ($10,000+) Elaine and John Alexander Nancy Bartels Philip Bartels Butler Family Foundation John Butler Roderick Chu Anne Church Michael Cornfeld Robert and Vanne Cowie Estate of Elizabeth Fillo Andrea Glanz and James Irish Adelaide Park Gomer Howard Greenberg and Joanne Burke Jewish Communal Fund of New York Anna Lowi and Dan Ferguson Jason Lowi Wayne Merkelson and Nancy Roistacher Merrill Family Foundation Catherine Merrill Douglas Merrill Nancy Merrill Sullivan Edwin and Linda Morgens Marcia and Thomas Morton Barry and Barbara Novick Park Foundation Roy Park Estate of Daniel Pope James and Wendysue Prout Yihang Qian and Lishuai Ma Kamalakar Rao Nan and Richard Rideout Robison Family Foundation Jean and Betty Rowley David Russo and Mary Gail Gearns Sirus Fund Peter Stifel Triad Foundation Estate of Jean White Wildwood Foundation
Cascadilla Circle ($5,000–$9,999) Peter and Ruth Bleyler David Brittenham and Carolyn Summers Jay E. Cantor George Chapman Suzanne Clary Dip Art Fund Corporation Murray Goldstone William Gratz and James Bruno Harney & Sons Tea Corporation Michael Harney Dana Harris
Vincent Herman Matt Hintsa Pulkit Kashyap David Lazarus Estate of Bertha Lewis Stephan Loewentheil and Beth Farber Midvale Foundation Christopher and Suzanne Nolan North Carolina Community Foundation Douglas Owens Viviana Paddrik Joanne and Richard Pirret Robert Ramin and Denise DeConcini Catherine and William Rideout Paul Rong Liou Stephen and Gail Rudin Evelyn Shen J. Allen Smith and Katherine Megrue-Smith James Spencer Susan Tane Andrew and Sarah Topus
Oak ($1,000–$4,999) Robert H. Abrams Suzanne Aigen Ira Akselrad Philip Ammirato Claudia Anderson and Lewis Buckman Susan Basile Douglas Bates and Mini Pathria William Bellamy Madeline Bennett Jeffrey Berg and Debra Paget Lois and William Black Jeff and Sandy Bricker Richard and Elaine Bushey James and Terry Byrnes Coleman Burton Charles and Kathryn Camisa Robert Camp Dennis Carroll Thomas Carroll Ruth Carrozza Marie Christensen and Bruce Cunningham Yvonne Chu Anne Cowie and Amy Graves Peter Davies and Linda Denoyer Diana Day Carol des Cognets William DeCou Roberta DeVries Christine and Thomas Dombrowski Paul and Virginia DuBowy Susan Egloff Joan Egrie Elizabeth Fillo and Chris Coucill
Jeff Flint John Foote Jr. and Kristen Rupert Laura Fratt and Michael Isby Jeffrey and Judith Gelfand Thomas and Gail Giordano Robert Goodman Bradley and Mary Grainger Constance and Richard Haggard Alfred Hamilton and Diana Wainrib Betta and James Hedlund Marilyn Hicks Mikey Hearne Hintsa Moira Hintsa Elizabeth and John Howell Dustin James and Helen Kim Johnson & Johnson Frederick Johnson Paul Skeen Jones Kanders Foundation Alan Kanders Malvin Keller Linda Kendall Gloria Kulhawy Robert Lefkowitz Frances Li and Carl Schaefer Janet and William Lutz Sylvia Mangalam Beth and Peter Marks Lucy Masterman Margaret Mathewson and Duane Nordick Frank McCreary Anne and Ed McLaughlin Camille and Ian McLeod Merck Company Foundation Wayne and Elizabeth Mezitt Jon Minikes and Susan Backstrom Lester and Sue Morss Dorothy Mullestein Carol and Charles Mund Martha Nakamura Nancy Neal Allen Newman Mary Noden Carol Nolan Robert and Sharon O’Brien Adam and Alyssa Orgel Mary Oyer Gregory Page and Barbara Rauschenbach Lillian and Robert Panagulias Carole Parnes James Pfeiffer Olivia Plunkett Loyd Powell Rachael Przybyla and Richard Hayashi Donald Pulver Jane Pyle Donald and Sue Rakow Inge and Uwe Reichenbach Scott and Tricia Reines
Denise Rempe and Mark Wilson John and Pat Richards John Roche and Laura Dake Roche Celia Rodee and Peter Cooper Herbert Roes Carolyn Sampson Ellen and Martin Sampson Vaughn Sayles Gwen Schamel Alan and Geraldine Schechter Margaret Schroeder Ashley Seidman Barbara and Robert Seraphin W. Ming Shao Robert and Anne Shaw Myra Shulman Stefan Singer and Sarah Rombom Eric and Mary Smith James Stocker Joseph and Marlene Stregack Charles and Nancy Trautmann John and Ruth Vaughn David Weinstein and Christina Stark Jeffrey Weiss Stefani and Steven Weiss Sally Williams Kenneth and Sharon Wilson Theodore and Gertrude Winsburg Yukang Xu Loretta Yellen Gayle Yeomans
Trillium ($500–$999) Jewelle and John Allen Beth Anderson Peter Arden Caroline Arms Donald and Dorothy Armstrong ATF Associates John Balser Bank of America Foundation Dorothy and Philip Bartlett Robert Bauer Anita and Stefan Belman Jennifer and Scott Bergen Mary Berkelman Jacqueline and Richard Bower Sarah Brooks Colton and Natasha Brown Anthony Cashen Brian Chabot and Kathleen Rasmussen Karen and Mark Colonna Jeffrey and Susan Cook Susan Cosmosopulos Linda Craugh Roy Curtiss and Josephine Clark-Curtiss
Lawrence Dalton Paul Dennis Sharon Detzer Mary Douglas Christopher and Mei-Ran Dunn Jennifer Engel and Lawrence Young Robert G. and Jane V. Engel Foundation Barney and Julie Feinblum Finger Lakes Running Club Aviv Goldsmith and Donna Pienkowski Frances Gotcsik Bruce Graev Elke Greenberg Mary and Stephen Hamilton John Hargesheimer Gilbert Harrington Michael and Doris Haruk Karen and Marc Harwitt Katsu and Yumi Hayashi Richard and Carrie Higgins Richard Hogan and Carron Sherry Susan Holden Peter Horton and Jane de Leon Holly Isdale and William Ryan Luella Johnson Sarah Johnson-Welch Philip Jones Robert Joyce Julie and Rory Jurman George Kennedy Eric and Martha Kinder Teri Klein Frederick Korz Edith Kubicek Jonathan and Julie Kukk Daniel Lane Susan LaVangia Joanne Maguire and Joyce Rotheram Diane Meakem Paul Mode Anne and Keith Moffat Louise Mudrak Marcia Neuburger Quoc-Hung Nguyen William Pinchbeck and Joanie Kilton Christopher Rakov and Christine Lydon-Rakov David and Joyce Rivas Marga Rogers Patricia Ross Stephen Sabba Brooke Schumm Douglas Schwartz Frederick Sifke Maidee Spencer Mary Squyres Barbara Stewart Lawrence Stewart Natalie Teich Elissa and Scott Turcotte
Jan Upalakalin Karen Venezky Dorothea and Terry Warren Harry Weintraub Carolyn and Stephen Whitman Penelope Wickham Carolyn and Rittner Will Sarah Winship Sammy Yu Warren Zipfel and Rebecca Williams
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 support for Cornell Botanic Gardens in their estate plans. Elizabeth Anderson Robert and Sandra Armstrong Beverly Baker William Bellamy Jonathan and Toni Black 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 and Virginia DuBowy Maralyn Fleming Andrea Glanz and James Irish Bradley and Mary Grainger Howard Greenberg and Joanne Burke Margaret Hampson Torrance Harder Ellen Hayes Carrie Makover Shirley McGrath Anne Moffat Marcia Morton John Norelli William Osgood Cora Parsons Roland Philip John and Pat Richards Nan and Richard Rideout Barbara Rissmeyer Jean and Betty Rowley Robert and Anne Shaw Theodore Sneed James and Patricia Stocker
Clockwise from left: F.R. Newman Arboretum in fall; Prints of Ecological Calendars displayed in Nevin Welcome Center; Lecture Series speaker Carolyn Finney, author of the book “Black Faces, White Spaces;” Kinetic installation of hanging sculptures created by Werner Sun, titled “Keeping Time with Changing Seasons.”
CONNECT Finding hope in the face of climate change More than 50 scholars and community members from Indigenous and rural societies in Central Asia and the U.S. gathered in October 2021 at Cornell Botanic Gardens for “Rhythms of the Land; Indigenous Knowledge, Science and Thriving Together in a Changing Climate.” The conference was a collaboration with Professor Karim-Aly Kassam (Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Faculty Fellow) and his Ecological Calendars and Climate Adaptation Project (ECCAP) research team. The project works with communities and scholars from across the globe to develop ecological calendars that integrate local cultural systems with seasonal indicators. Cornell Botanic Gardens created exhibits that brought to life the project and communities involved, including from the Pamir Mountains regions of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Xinjiang; the Standing Rock Sioux Nation; and the Oneida Lake region in New York state. Interpretive displays explain how ecological calendars can help sustain communities facing increasing uncertainty due to climate change, while two installations use art to reflect on the research. “Keeping Time with Changing Seasons,” a three-piece mobile by Ithaca, New York-based artist Werner Sun, features photographic images folded into geometric forms; and “Grounded,” a sculpture by Natani Notah ’14, a member of the Navajo Nation, emphasizes connectivity in the pairing of unexpected elements, including Native beadwork, leather, and fiber. Reducing barriers for African Americans to the outdoors Carolyn Finney, author of “Black Faces White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors,” gave the Class of 1945 Lecture, part of the Gardens’ Lecture Series. Finney discussed her nationally recognized work to increase awareness of how privilege shapes who gets to inform and determine policy and action on environmental issues. The lecture was offered in partnership with Ithaca Children’s Garden, The Learning Farm, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-New York Field Office, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Work to address the barriers to being in outdoor spaces faced by students and community members of color continued, with Finney leading workshops with student leaders in Cornell Botanic Gardens’ Learning by Leading program, along with the Cornell student organizations Alana, Black Students United, Outdoor Odyssey, and other multi-cultural groups. Finney also facilitated a community conversation with 10 Ithaca activist groups to identify action steps to address the barriers faced by citizens of color in fully engaging with the natural world.
Clockwise from left: Rhododendron and azalea bloom on Comstock Knoll in spring; Flat Rock area of Fall Creek; American Globeflower, one of the region’s rarest species, is found in three of Cornell Botanic Gardens’ natural areas; Young Flower Garden from above.
INCOME Endowment income, gifts from alumni and friends, and grants provide the majority of the support we need to sustain our gardens, natural areas, and educational programs.
$1,775,202
53%
$776,589
23%
$0
0%
Grants and Contracts
$209,846
6%
CALS-University Allocations
$298,594
9%
CALS-University Program Support
$91,349
3%
Program Income
$43,976
1%
Use of Reserves
$104,870
3%
$81,804
2%
$3,382,230
100%
Horticulture
$949,149
28%
Education
$387,875
11%
University Allocated Costs
$506,962
15%
Administration
$427,439
13%
Natural Areas
$372,566
11%
Facilities, Equipment, Supplies
$219,494
6%
Communications
$89,108
3%
Visitor Services
$12,443
1%
Development
$189,668
5%
Restricted Gift Carryover
$227,526
7%
$3,382,230
100%
Endowment Income Gifts and Memberships Bequests
Prior Year Fund Balances
EXPENSE
Fiscal Year July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021 Income includes carry-forward balance
82%
SUPPORT In 2021, generous support from our members and donors provided us the means to sustain our operations, from growing our gardens and natural areas, to inspiring people to understand and appreciate plants, to making connections across Cornell and local communities. Cornell University publicly launched the “To Do the Greatest Good” comprehensive campaign in October, with an ambitious goal to raise $5 billion by June 2026. New gifts and commitments to Cornell Botanic Gardens from our generous supporters already total $10.9 million toward our $15 million portion of the university’s goal. The largest gifts and pledges have come from donors who include Cornell Botanic Gardens in their estate plans. Every donation, from a $25 annual-fund contribution, to a $250 membership or Giving Day gift, to endowment support for our horticulture, natural areas, and education programs, makes a difference for the future of the gardens. During 2022, we will continue to advance the strategic initiatives that connect plants and peoples, cultivate gardens and steward natural areas, and secure endowments to support the foundational work that makes Cornell Botanic Gardens so special. We depend on your financial support to bring the wonder of plants to the Cornell and wider communities. Join us in 2022 with your gift to Cornell Botanic Gardens. Help us make progress toward a world of diversity, beauty, and hope.
Cornell Botanic Gardens Advisory Council members support the gardens by contributing, volunteering, and networking as ambassadors. Renee Alexander David Brittenham Diana Buckley Anne Cowie Carol des Cognets Andrea Glanz Howard Greenberg Matt Hinsta James Irish Justine Kwok
Margaret Lin Christopher Nolan Suzanne Nolan (Chair) Gregory Page Matt Palumbo James Prout (Vice Chair) Robert Ramin Todd Robinson Carolyn Roche Kristen Rupert
David Russo (Vice Chair) Christina Stark Carolyn Summers Catherine Thrasher-Carroll Andrew Topus Gerald Torres Charlotte Lee Tsang Pauline Wamsler
Clockwise from left: Evening hydrangea blooms; Construction of Asian-inspired shade arbor in Young Flower Garden; Skunk Cabbage, the earliest plant to emerge from the garden; Learning by Leading students on the Sustainable Landscapes team restoring woody plants in Mundy Wildflower Garden.
2022 | 250 | JP932