Foliage of Ardisia gigantifolia - impressed whitish veins and quilted texture. © BGCI.
Ms. Luong Thi Loc explains how her Cao Lan culture uses medicinal plants. © BGCI.
In 2009/10, The Rufford Foundation provided a grant of £20,000 to Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).
Driving the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Forward and International Biodiversity Conservation Action
In November 2009, BGCI hosted the 7th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens in Durban, South Africa, which was attended by 110 delegates from 23 countries. The congress showcased how gardens are using education to contribute to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and Millennium Development goals. Participants developed plans to encourage environmental justice, address climate change and highlight the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Forty-three papers and 20 posters were presented and 33 workshops run. Financial support enabled congress organisation and publication of the materials.
A model for the conservation and sustainable use of Stephania dielsiana and Ardisia gigantifolia has been established in BaVi National Park in Vietnam. Traditional Dzao and San Diu herbalists living adjacent to the park have become engaged in conserving both species. Conservation techniques have been taught and disseminated to the broader community. Five hundred plants of both species have been reintroduced in the area.
BGCI published BG Journal Volume 6.1 with the theme ‘Ecological restoration and the role of botanic gardens’. Guest edited by the Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, articles described the specific focus and work of several botanic gardens in responding to this challenge. It has been distributed to BGCI members, delegates at two conferences, and is available to download. Volume 6.2 is themed ‘Botanic gardens addressing sustainability’ and is being distributed to delegates attending two 2010 conferences on Sustainability in the Public Education Sector.
