Cornell Cooperative Extension

Columbia and Greene Counties
Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888
Image by David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org
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Climate Change and the Environment

Our staff works to engage with the community to solve and respond to key environmental challenges, reduce and make more equitable our collective use of the Earth's resources, and inspire respect for natural systems and our reliance on them.

Spotted Lanternfuly has recently been found in New York State

Spotted Lanternfly

The NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets recently confirmed that the invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in Delaware County, New York. The pest targets ailanthus trees and attacks a variety of crops (grapes, hops apples and forest products).

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fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) Linnaeus, 1758

Wildlife Damage Fact Sheets

See a list of fact sheets for various species that create negative economic impacts, or health and safety concerns.

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Bulldozers involved in stream restoration, from 'DEC Guidelines for Post-Flood Stream Construction' online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/postfloodguid.pdf

Stream Reconstruction

Visit our list of links to find information on how to rebuild your stream following a flooding event, and on the advantages of creating riparian buffers.

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Fields flooded by nearby Wallkill River during Hurricane Irene (2011) and again after Tropical Storm Lee, near Campbell Hall, NY, USA

Climate Change

CCE's natural resources program helps individuals and communities make long term plans to respond, adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change

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Contact

Connor Young
Team Leader, Environment and Natural Resources
chy32@cornell.edu
518-622-9820 x113

Last updated February 10, 2020

Climate Change and the Environment

​ Advisory Committee

Virginia Benedict, Chair

Joshua Lipsman

Rebecca Pinder

Paula Van Meter

Lead Staff: Connor Young

​ Health Benefits of Forests

Most of us sense that taking a walk in a forest is good for us. We take a break from the rush of our daily lives. We enjoy the beauty and peace of being in a natural setting. Now, research is showing that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable health benefits, both mental and physical. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects that's also free.

Numerous studies in the U.S. and around the world are exploring the health benefits of spending time outside in nature, green spaces, and, specifically, forests.

Events

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Weather vs Climate

Weird Weather

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Global warming can be hard to imagine during long, cold winters. However, the weather in one location does not represent the climate as a whole. Though some years may be colder than others in some places, the average temperatures of the planet are rising.

Visit the Yale Forum on Climate Change & the Media for a look at the weather of 2013 in the context of long-term climate trends.

The EPA has provided charts showing the increase in greenhouse gases between 247,426 BC and the present.

Click here for NASA's analysis of natural vs. anthropogenic changes in the twentieth century.

See the newly created Cornell Climate Change website for many more resources, recent news, and upcoming events.