Forest Restoration

Notice the small, caged trees just beyond the kiosk. This area was overgrown with non-native honeysuckle and other invasive shrubs, which out-competed the native plants that once grew here. After removing the invasive shrubs, Cornell Botanic Gardens staff and volunteers planted a variety of native trees including American sycamore, northern hackberry, and bitternut hickory, which thrive in the sandy soil along Fall Creek. Changing climate conditions in recent years has required more effort to control invasive plants, a significant threat to the world’s biodiversity.

Side trip: Cross the Flat Rock Footbridge to access several miles of trails on the North side of Fall Creek, which connect to the Monkey Run Natural Area via the Cayuga Trail. Access ithacatrails.org and search “Fall Creek Natural Areas” for a trail map.