Education E-update

Getting Back to Basics

In the past few issues of Education E-update, we've highlighted exciting efforts by botanic gardens to reach their audiences through new and innovative uses of technology. While these are undoubtedly worthwhile efforts, the designation of April as 'Children and Nature Awareness Month' reminded us of what botanic gardens do best--bringing people into real-life contact with the natural world. We would like to feature the new and innovative ways that your botanic garden or education site is creating opportunities for visitors to experience the natural world. Send us information about your education programmes, and we'll include it in an upcoming Education E-update.

Best wishes,
The BGCI Education Team
education@bgci.org (for general education enquiries to BGCI)
e-update@bgci.org (for Education E-update enquiries)

Education News From Around the World

Registration now open for BGCI's Education Congress: Register now for BGCI's Seventh International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens, to be held Nov. 1-5 in Durban, South Africa. Co-sponsored by Durban Botanic Gardens, the Conference will highlight themes including achieving the MDGs and GSPC through education; ways of learning towards environmental justice; climate change and botanic gardens; and the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Registration fees have been significantly reduced to make the Congress more affordable. Check out the Congress website for details and sign up to receive regular Congress updates via email.

Last chance to share your thoughts about Roots: There is still time to share your thoughts on Roots, BGCI's education review journal. Please take a few minutes to complete our online survey. Your views will help us develop a more effective publication. The survey will be closing soon, so please share your thoughts today!

Ballarat Botanical Gardens celebrates begonias: The Ballarat Begonia Festival took place March 7-9 at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens (Australia). In addition to the featured blooming begonias, the Festival included cultural performances, art and entertainment for families, tours and talks, and Australia's largest outdoor art exhibition.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens fetes Charles Darwin: More than 100 guests joined the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (USA) for a birthday party celebrating the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Special exhibits were on display highlighting Darwin's life and work. The surprise of the day, however, was a visit and speech by Darwin himself, played by a living history actor.

Monet-inspired events at Wellington Botanic Gardens: Local school pupils recently released hundreds of multicoloured origami water lilies into a pond at the Wellington Botanic Gardens (New Zealand). The event is one of several activities planned at the Botanic Gardens to coincide with a local Monet and Impressionist exhibition. Additionally, Gardens staff have created a Monet-style haystack on an area of lawn and planted wildflower seeds around it. Monet-inspired guided walks are also planned in March and April.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia receives $1m gift for children's garden: The family of Alice H. Richards recently donated $1 million (US) toward the development of a children's garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (USA). A site for the children's garden has been identified and planning is underway.

Even more news online! Check out even more botanic garden and plant-based education news on BGCI's website, including a story about a recent television feature about the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Fairchild Challenge (USA) and a Darwin exhibition at the Clavijero Botanic Garden (Mexico).

What's new at your botanic garden? Send us the latest news from your botanic garden or education site, and we'll include it in an upcoming issue of Education E-update.

PlantEd Poll

It's quick and fun! Read this month's poll question and click on your response. We'll publish the results in the next Education E-update!

This month's poll: What's your favourite part of Education E-update? Click on a response below to cast your vote!

News updates from BGCI and botanic gardens

In the Spotlight

Tools You Can Use

What We're Reading (book recommendations)

PlantEd poll

Last month, we asked whether your garden or education site is planning a Plant Conservation Day celebration this May. Here's what you said!

Tools You Can Use

Children & Nature Network: This network was started "to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature." The network's website is packed with studies and publications that document the link between experiences in nature and children's health and learning.

Register now for the 5th World Environmental Education Conference: 'Earth as Our Common Home' is the theme of the 5th World Environmental Education Conference May 10-14 in Montreal, Canada. Registration is now open online.

World Water Day 2009: March 22 is World Water Day, an annual opportunity to highlight the issues that surround the availability of safe, clean water. Botanic gardens are excellent venues to highlight the importance of water in our everyday lives. The World Water Day website has full details.

Science and Children features plant-based education: The February 2009 issue of Science and Children featured a special 'Plants and Their Partners' theme. Articles included 'Plants on the Move' (focusing on seed dispersal), 'Creating a Schoolyard Mini-garden', and 'Leaves: Nature's Solar Collectors'.

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