Sustainable Landscapes, Hidden Gardens: Cornell Campus Walking Tour
Shaped by its founding principles of coeducation, nonsectarianism and diverse intellectual inquiry, Cornell has in recent decades made a substantial commitment to yet another principle – sustainability. Initiatives in teaching, research and design are shaping a sustainable, beautiful and healthy campus. Additionally, the land-grant mandate of teaching, research and extension provides information and models for replication regionally and beyond. Walk the east campus and experience a selection of on-campus projects that advance research and sustainable practices while prioritizing healthy and inspiring spaces. We will also discuss the invisible infrastructure that serves over 300 major buildings on central campus, including water filtration, lake source cooling and pioneering efforts in power generation, from nineteenth-century electrification and hydropower generation, to our current exploration of deep geothermal heat capture.
The tour will move from Bailey Plaza through the Ag Quad, walk around the back of Mann Library and end on Tower Road. There are ample seating opportunities.
Roberta Moudry ‘81, Architectural Historian, Cornell University
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, rain date Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
Meet at 1:30pm at the Bailey Plaza
Earth Source Heat: One Possible Path to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Heating Cornell’s Campus
Like individuals, institutions, and communities everywhere, Cornell is trying to reduce its carbon footprint. As part of this process, Cornell is working on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions released when we burn fossil fuels to heat our campus.
One possible solution may be to use “The Heat Beneath Our Feet”. Cornell is actively investigating whether we can extract abundant heat from deep under ground and distribute it using our existing campus district energy system. During the most recent phase of this program, the team drilled the Cornell University Borehole Observatory – a nearly 10,000’ deep hole below campus. While there are many technical challenges associated with a first-of-its-kind project like this, there are also many reasons to believe that this pioneering technique will become an important tool in the fight against global climate change.
Wayne Bezner Kerr, Earth Source Heat Program Manager, Cornell University
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 4:00PM.
Kendal Auditorium, 2230 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
You can watch the recording of the program here (click the link): https://youtu.be/NkkLLsePRaU
In the Shadows: The Wonder, Beauty, and Science of Eclipses
What causes eclipses? Why are they so rare? Why are lunar eclipses more common than solar ones? Do other planets have eclipses? Find out the answers to common questions like these, and hear how to enjoy the total solar eclipse on April 8. Then we’ll dive even deeper into how these phenomena help us explore the galaxy and understand our place in the universe.
“Space Lady” Zoe Learner Ponterio, Manager of the Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility, Cornell University
Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:30PM via ZOOM.
You can watch the recording of the program here (click the link): https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/bjez-klKP_4qfJLQwL4ZwwbmABQITUpSBn2K2nIekx2DeyKtyymbSQjLeyhI0JJI.d7oRaxkHLvRZ4go9
Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Learning Project
– Joan Gallagher Spring Program –
The seeds that left the Cayuga Lake region over 250 years ago are home again. Learn how Michelle Seneca, along with her partner, Stephen Henhawk, has worked to help this happen. The Gayogo̱hó:nǫʔ are coming home but they are not coming home alone. The seeds are a part of the ecosystem just as much as the Gayogo̱hó:nǫʔ. Using sgę́:noʔ (peace), Michelle is working to bring the seeds and culture home. The Gayogo̱hó:nǫʔ Learning Project was formed to ensure this process can happen.
Michelle Seneca, Gayogo̱hó:nǫʔ,(Cayuga) Turtle Clan
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Kendal Auditorium, 2230 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
All Campus Club Lectures and Programs are open to the public.