Celebrating Plants and the Planet:
This green planet knows no political borders…for better or worse.
This month’s links (at www.zooplantman.com under NEWS) look at plant conservation around the world:
· The majority of important crop plants originated in Central Asia where their wild relatives are endangered and poorly protected (think: Irish potato famine)
· A traditional Samoan plant with potentially AIDS fighting chemicals has American researchers willing to pay to develop it;
· In Uganda, a valuable medicinal tree is being over-harvested for its aphrodisiac qualities (hey, I love trees, too, but not in that way!);
· A rare South African ecosystem pits conservationists and neighbors against developers
· A Malaysian community fights government to save its forest from development as a cemetery.
In its third season of operation, Nashville Zoo’s “Lorikeet Landing” is possibly the greenest lorikeet exhibit yet.
Director Rick Schwartz was willing to experiment with my nutty ideas on plantings and it’s paid off pretty well!
If you can’t get there, go here: http://www.tenntravelnews.com/media/News.asp?ID=190 or watch this amateur video tour on YouTube (new red river hog, elephant and giraffe exhibits towards the end):
Please share these stories with associates, staff, docents and - most importantly - visitors!
By the way, please add rob@... to your “approved” email list in order to keep receiving these newsletters.
Rob
Zoo Horticulture
Consulting & Design
19 Meadowbrook Drive
Ossining, New York 10562-2910
914.762-6569
FAX 914.945-8915
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