Cultivate Issue 18: Making the Most of the Net

- October 2007

Sarah Dixon

Dear Cultivator

BGCI is very busy but it's not always clear to everyone exactly what we get up to. The same could be said of some of the work of botanic gardens - it happens behind the scenes, but it's really exciting and could be shared with the world.

So I have been learning to use new internet tools, including video, to help the situation, and we've come up with some interesting results!

The great thing about it is that everyone can get involved, from sharing video clips or digital photos to telling us what Magnolias your botanic garden are cultivating.

You can leave comments on the Education blog or send us your news, chat to each other on the BGCI toolbar and even meet the BGCI team.You can even learn to raise money for your projects on our new Cultivate blog.

We are also redesigning the BGCI home page and restructuring the website to make it clearer what is going on, so keep an eye out in the next few weeks for that.

Best wishes,
Sarah Dixon
cultivate@bgci.org

Latest for Botanic Gardens

BGCI Global Magnoliaceae Survey - What's growing in your garden?

Foundations Laid for a Thai National Network to Support GSPC Targets

Planta Europa - Working Together for Plants

Latest reports from BGCI staff

Education blog updates: Sarah Kneebone reports from the 4th World Environmental Congress

Riga Botanic Garden: Competition for the Future - Featuring video interview with Julia Willison

Meet BGCI online

Watch "BGTV" on YouTube or send us your video clips

Share your photos with BGCI on Flickr

Meet BGCI staff

PLUS - new Appeals section on the Opportunities page, where you can post your project ideas and look for support and partners. Look for the Appeals & Offers section. Recent appeals include a request for help with a new study of Lilies, and an opportunity to get involved with a commercial Moringa project.

The Opportunities page is one of the top ten popular pages on the BGCI website so make the most of it!

How to raise money on the internet

One of the best things about the internet is that it opens up opportunities for so many people with very specialist interests. They can now find others with similar ideas and this means opportunities for fundraising or selling your goods.

It can be bewildering to do this so I've opened a Cultivate blog with an introduction for those of you who want to get started with raising money on the internet.

The fact it's on a blog just means you can leave comments and I can respond there on the page. Its an experiment so tell us what you think.

Issue 18 - October 2007

BGCI are making a video about the great work botanic gardens are doing and you are all invited to participate.

Find out what to do next.

Cultivate has over 3000 subscribers and is growing all the time. Please click here to forward this email to colleagues or friends interested in botanic gardens and plant conservation.

Great Botanic Gardens of the World by Sara Oldfield

BGCI has just published a new book about the work of the world's great botanic gardens. Authored by Sara Oldfield, Secretary General of BGCI, this lavishly illustrated book explores the rich history of botanic gardens and the key role they play in education, science and conservation.

Eco-charity-e-cards

Benevolus offers an e-cards service. E-cards allow you to save paper and transport costs, making them an eco-friendly alternative to normal festive cards. But best of all, 60% of your payment goes to your chosen charity.

So if you or a company you know are looking for an e-card supplier for the next festive occasion, check out Benevolus. And of course we hope you will choose BGCI as the beneficiary

This message was sent to over 3000 subscribers in October 2007

Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond TW9 3BW, England.

Cultivate Issue 18: Making the Most of the Net

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