Zebra Mussels, Zooplankton (absent), and Native Lake Trout (absent) The Great Lakes are home to many species of fish and other aquatic organisms not present anywhere else. Zebra mussels, a highly invasive species, have become introduced into the Great Lakes and in many other places […]
Bog Turtle (absent), Purple Loosestrife (invasive), and Common Reed (invasive) The Bog Turtle is the smallest native turtle species in North America, reaching a maximum length of 4.5 inches. It inhabits wet meadows and marshy areas, getting its name from the fact that it can […]
Eastern Coyote, White-tailed Deer, and Deer Ticks The population boom of white-tailed deer in New York state presents risks to the wellbeing of people in the state. First, deer are often involved in car accidents and can cause loss of life in such events and […]
Emerald Ash-Borer, Native Ash Trees (absent), and Downy Woodpecker The Emerald Ash-Borer is an invasive species from Asia that infects all species of ash trees found in New York state. Ash trees are native to New York and their presence often indicates an undisturbed landscape, […]
Fiddler Crab, Great Blue Heron, Silversides, and Knotted Spikerush Coastal marshes are important ecological communities due to their ability to absorb floodwaters and replenish nutrients into the surrounding ecosystem. These marshes are home to specialized animals that have adapted to the constant cycle of flooding […]
Common Loon (absent), Brook Trout, Yellow Perch, Tape Grass, and Wild Celery The Common Loon and the Brook Trout are two species that are hallmarks of the unique freshwater systems found in the Adirondacks. The Common Loon is known by many visitors to the area […]
River Otter (absent), Beaver, Walleye (absent), White Water Lily, Marsh Marigold, and Sedges Many areas of eastern New York are home to the river otter, which inhabits interior lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and wetlands in the region. Unfortunately, excessive habitat destruction and water pollution have […]
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle (absent), Piping Plover (absent), Beach Grass (absent), Beach Pea The Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle is an insect that inhabits the coastal regions of New York, primarily Long Island. They spend their whole lives on sandy beaches, creating burrows and spending their […]
Red Fox, Canadian Goose, New England Cottontail Rabbit, Mountain Laurel, Viburnum The characteristic rolling hills of Upstate New York are not only aesthetically pleasing to look at when driving up to Colgate, but are also a habitat to many native animals and plants. In these […]
Monarch Butterflies, Milkweed (absent), Honey Bees, and Sugar Maple Monarch butterfly populations have been declining due to the destruction of natural landscapes. Milkweed is vital to the survival of monarchs since it is the only plant the monarch lays its eggs on and where their […]
Black Bears, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Edible Berries Many edible native berries grow in New York State. These include raspberries, strawberries, black caps, blueberries, and snowberries. People of the Oneida Nation utilize many of these berries as a source of food and in natural medicines. The […]
American Chestnut (absent), Blue Jay, American Robin, Northern Flicker The American Chestnut was prominent in the eastern United States, and was inherently valuable to people in the region for its timber and the large chestnuts it produced. Unfortunately, not much is known about the Chestnut […]
American Elm (absent), Cerulean Warbler, American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee The American Elm once made up a large proportion of the native forests of New York state, as well as all along the Eastern United States. Elm trees were often planted in cities as well due […]
European Starlings (invasive), House Sparrow (invasive), and Eastern Bluebird (absent) Within New York forests, a number of invasive species of birds have begun to disrupt the habitats and behaviors of native species. Many of these effects can be seen right on Colgate’s campus. European starlings […]
Little Brown Bats (absent), Mosquitos, and Pseudogymnoascus destructans More than just a nuisance, mosquitoes present a health risk to humans due to the types of diseases they carry. In New York state, the types of mosquito-borne diseases found include West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and […]
“Colgate University is committed to sustainability through innovative projects and programming that enhance teaching and learning, create long-term economic resiliency, build and restore robust ecological systems, and support a healthier and more just society.” – Colgate University 2014 Strategic Plan In 2011, Colgate made a […]
A watershed is a land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the Ocean, all land can be divided into watershed areas. Colgate and the Hamilton area are a part of […]