By: Christopher Jacobs
Bringing you closer to our Conservation work than ever before
As we enter the fifth month of our 20th anniversary year, we have been thinking of ways to connect you, our valued friends and supporters, more deeply with the conservation work of the Garden. We feel this is really important, since Conservation is one of the core pillars of our Mission as an environmental non-profit. It is also a huge priority for our planet, as we face ecological challenges like never before!
The Vallarta Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit, full of peace and tranquility, a chance to immerse yourself in incredible colors, aromas and the sounds of nature. T here is, however, much more happening here than meets the eye, particularly when it comes to conservation.
A great example of this is our work with Mexican orchids. When we first opened our doors in 2005, we had a small collection of orchids, around 20 species, to educate visitors on one of Mexico’s most precious, and endangered, botanical gifts. The Botanical Garden now cares for over 300 types of orchids, including 4 very rare species (Encyclia adenocaula, E. cordigera, E. huertae and E. trachycarpa), that are under threat of extinction and which we are lovingly nurturing in our in vitro laboratory and re-introducing back into the wild.
Our conservation and reforestation efforts with endangered trees, including species only found in the Puerto Vallarta region, such as the Magnolia vallartensis and the Vallarta pine (Pinus vallartensis), are also guaranteeing the future of something truly remarkable that would be a tragedy to lose.
Conservation Connect
You are at the heart of these successes, making them all possible through your memberships, donations and visits. We would love to connect you more closely with this work, which is why, in May, we will be launching a new monthly e-update called Conservation Connect. This will give you a fun and insightful snapshot into all things conservation. Look out for the first edition in your email inbox very soon!
Our new ‘Adopt a Species’ program
The Vallarta Botanical Garden is now home to over 1,200 species of plant, 300 bird species, plus many other wonders of nature, including the endangered Mexican jaguar and a very special community of ocelots. Would you like to adopt a favourite species, thus creating a personal connection with the natural world and contributing directly to a concerted conservation effort? Watch this space for further announcements about this exciting program!
I’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to know more about supporting our Conservation, Education and Research programs, please get in touch at christopherj@vbgardens. org or on +52 322 137 1890. Let’s work together!
