Featured Stories

Ithaca Children's Garden Welcomes Erin Marteal as Interim Executive Director

Ithaca Children's Garden is thrilled to announce the appointment of Erin Marteal as Interim Executive Director, effective immediately. Erin, who served as Executive Director from 2011 to 2022 and returned to ICG as Development Director, will now take on this new role while the organization searches nationwide for its next permanent leader.

Read the full announcement here

Meet Robin Cochell, Operations Manager

Finding Magic in Nature As An Adult

Do you remember the first time something struck you as magical?

Robin Cochell (she/her), Ithaca Children’s Garden’s new Operations Manager, remembers the moment clearly:

“It was the first summer I spent in the area. I remember looking outside my bedroom window, seeing sparks across the lawn, and thinking: ‘There are fairies out there!’

The next day, Robin pursued them on a fairy hunt.

Robin has explored several places and experiences she cherished alongside her parents. Robin’s parents instilled in her values . . .

Read the full story (and also get see more dog photos.)

Read Robin's full story on ICG's blog now

Two dogs outdoors in the snow with their nose to the ground sniffing.

Grow with Us

Volunteering

Photos from Ithaca Garden Club's 2023 Daffodil Dash event. Features both adults and children running through the Waterfront Trail in Ithaca and surrounded by daffodils.

Volunteer for 2nd Annual Daffodil Dash at ICG

The Ithaca Garden Club and ICG have teamed up for a 5K and 1-mile fun run through the daffodils and spring blooms. Help out ICG during the 1-mile fun run/walk/roll to help families get oriented and cheer them on.

We're seeking volunteers from 8:00 to 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 13. Sign up or inquire at volunteer@ithacachildrensgarden.org. Let's make this event unforgettable together!

Paid Positions

Executive Director

Are you passionate about empowering children through nature? Do you believe every child deserves the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow outdoors? Ithaca Children’s Garden is on the lookout for our next Executive Director, and we want someone who shares our commitment to creating a more beautiful, resilient, and just world by connecting children to nature.

Learn more about the Executive Director position

Garden Highlights

Early Spring Blossoms at ICG

While the Spring Equinox has not yet arrived (we're eagerly awaiting March 19, the first day of spring), spring blossoms have already peeked out from beneath the leaves in ICG's Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden.

Discover what popped up at the Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden below:

Snowdrop

Meaning: Hope and Renewal

Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring

Type: Perennial

The Snowdrop, by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Many, many welcomes,

February fair-maid,

Ever as of old time,

Solitary firstling,

Coming in the cold time,

Prophet of the gay time,

Prophet of the May time,

Prophet of the roses,

Many, many welcomes,

February fair-maid!

Have you seen these flowers pop up yet by you? ICG staff spotted these familiar white buds and captured the moment to share with you.

Learn more about the meaning of snowdrops

Start Your Spring Garden

Seed Barn Now Open!

Playful Nature Explorers have been busy preparing the Seed Barn for its annual reopening this week. Thanks to their work in prepping and stocking the barn with seed packets, you can now get a head start on your spring garden by picking up seeds to start indoors. This service is completely free and open to the public.

The Seed Barn is inside ICG's Kitchen Garden, located to the right of the main entrance, past the Kids' Kitchen.

Featured Resource

Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden

The Bulb Labyrinth at ICG is not only beautiful but a very special place to remember babies and children our community has lost. Designed in partnership with the Ithaca Childbearing Loss Network (formerly known as Ithaca Perinatal Loss Support Group) in 2011, the Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden features a wide variety of blooming bulbs and perennials; a wheelchair and stroller-friendly winding stone pathway; sculpture donated by local artists, an open space in the center with a flowering redbud, a peace pole inscribed with Hope, Peace, Love, and Remembrance in 15 languages, and stone benches.

It's a 4-season Labyrinth, but spring is its time to really shine. Be sure to stop by soon and return often to watch its transformation from dormancy to spring bloom.