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Tremendous progress is being made around the world in educating about the importance of plants and the need for their conservation. Your work is an important part of this global effort. The resources in this newsletter are designed to support your plant conservation education efforts, but sometimes news and information just aren’t enough. Please feel free to contact me if I can ever assist you in your education planning or to discuss potential collaborations. My goal is to support you!
Best wishes,
Brian Johnson
Education Officer, BGCI ( U.S.)
Editor, Education E-update
brian.johnson@bgci.org
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Indonesian teachers learn about U.S. botanic garden education: Brian Johnson, Education Officer for BGCI (U.S.), presented case studies of education programs at U.S. botanic gardens at a BGCI-sponsored teacher training workshop in Indonesia Sep. 27-29. Forty high school science teachers participated in the training, held at Cibodas Botanic Garden in West Java. Johnson presented an overview of nonformal education trends and issues in the United States, and highlighted innovative conservation education programs from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, The Holden Arboretum, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
BGCI (U.S.) promotes plant conservation at zoos: The role zoos can play in plant conservation was the focus of a panel discussion organized by BGCI (U.S.) at last month’s American Zoo and Aquarium Association conference in Chicago. Brian Johnson moderated the panel, “Strengthening Your Conservation Leadership: Zoos and Plant Conservation.” Chris Gentile, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C., spoke about plant conservation education at zoos; Wendy Andrew of Disney’s Animal Kingdom presented conservation horticulture efforts at zoos; and Valerie Pence of Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and William Rapley of Toronto Zoo highlighted research and conservation biology projects.
BGCI (U.S.) at NAAEE in Albuquerque: Are you headed to the North American Association for Environmental Education conference in Albuquerque later this month? BGCI (U.S.) will be there and would like to connect with you! Email Brian Johnson if you would like to discuss in Albuquerque how BGCI (U.S.) can work with your organization to support your plant conservation education efforts.
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“Boring Botany? Rethinking Teaching About Plants in Schools”: Looking for a great article to support your botanic garden’s education efforts in schools? In this text, Dawn Sanders of the UK-based National Foundation for Education Research outlines the rationale for including plants in science education and the important role botanic gardens can play in motivating students and enhancing learning. To learn more, download the article.
UN launches new guide on “Communicating Sustainability”: Published by the UN Environment Program, “Communicating Sustainability” profiles 16 innovative public campaigns to change attitudes and lifestyle choices, including an “environment train” criss-crossing Algeria and a radio series on pesticide pollution in Viet Nam . The guide is an excellent resource for learning not only what to communicate, but how to communicate your conservation message effectively. Download the free publication for more information.
“Fostering Sustainable Behavior” listserv: More than 3500 participants already take part in this online dialogue about a wide range of behavior change programs including waste reduction, energy and water efficiency, and watershed protection. Visit the Fostering Sustainable Behavior website for more information.
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Each month, we answer a plant conservation education question that you've always wanted answered. Send your questions to
e-update@bgci.org.
Q: How can I focus my conservation message to make the greatest impact?
A: Nearly 95% of Americans say maintaining biodiversity is personally important, according to a 2002 study by The Biodiversity Project. You should craft your conservation message to align with at least one of the reasons people support biodiversity preservation. The top reasons for maintaining biodiversity along with the percentage of adults who say the reason is “very important” are:
- Preserving the services (cleaning air, water, etc.) that nature performs for us (74%)
- Source of new medicines to treat diseases (72%)
- Preserving the homes for so many species of plants of animals (65%)
- Protecting our natural treasures (62%)
- Quiet and beauty (61%)
Additionally, 58% of adults say that it is “extremely important” to maintain biodiversity because humans have a responsibility to leave the Earth in good condition for future generations. Download The Biodiversity Project Study for more details.
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Issue 5: October 2005 |
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In each issue of Education E-update, we shine the spotlight on an innovative plant conservation education program taking place at a BGCI member institution. If your BGCI member institution has a program that should be "in the spotlight," email a short description and contact information to
e-update@bgci.org.
In the spotlight this month:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
In 2002, Brooklyn Botanic Garden took on a daunting education task: starting a new public high school in New York City. The following fall, the first freshman class enrolled at the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE), a partnership between BBG, the New York City Department of Education, New Visions for Public Schools, and the Prospect Park Alliance. Now in its third year, students pursue typical high school studies in math and English, but the school’s focus on environmental science sets it apart. Biology and chemistry labs utilize BBG’s outdoor gardens and conservatories to provide real-life settings for typical high school science fare. They work with botanic garden staff to learn science research skills and gain exposure to environmental careers. As a result, student attendance ranks above the norm for New York City schools and test scores are rising. Learn more about BASE on the BBG website.
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As Congress returns to work, many politicians already have their sights set on the Endangered Species Act. The hundreds of federally listed plants (and the thousands more under threat, but not officially listed) need strong governmental protections to ensure their future survival. The Endangered Species Coalition offers background information and organizing tools, including an activist kit to help pass local government resolutions in support of the ESA. |
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BGCI is revising its website and needs your input! Please take a moment to complete a short online survey. Everyone who completes the survey will be automatically entered to win a copy of Janet Marinelli's gorgeous new book, Plant: The Ultimate Visual Reference to Plants and Flowers of the World. Complete the survey for your chance to win! |
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Have you registered yet to receive email updates about BGCI’s Sixth International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens? To stay up to date on conference developments, sign up today. You can also get more information on the Congress, to be held in September 2006 at the University of Oxford (UK) Botanic Gardens, via the official website.
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Please forward this email to education colleagues at your living institution or to others who have an interest in plant conservation education. |
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