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Newsletter May 2022

NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION:
Protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Charco del Ingenio, as well as maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, mainly oriented towards environmental education.

INDEX

Vol. XVII, No. 05

THE NEW RECEPTION OF THE CHARCO

With great satisfaction we inform all the visitors, members and friends of the Botanical Garden that, finally, after a long and eventful construction phase, the new Charco del Ingenio reception unit has been inaugurated. This includes a new Interpretive Room, which offers, in an entertaining and substantial way, relevant content on the Charco del Ingenio ecological reserve, on the conservation project and on the hydrographic basin where the Botanical Garden and the city of San Miguel are located. . The new interpretive module, open to all audiences, is part of the educational mission of our organization, aimed at building a culture of love and care for the natural world, with special attention to the youngest population in our society.

The inaugural acts were sealed with the ceremonial presence of the mayordomías of Ojo de Agua and Valle del Maíz, indigenous communities of San Miguel de Allende that preserve ancient traditions and that have supported for more than 30 years the biocultural heritage that El Charco del Ingenio represents. . Likewise, members of the scientific and artistic communities of our municipality and other origins of the country attended, endorsing the confluence of science and art in the triple mission of the Botanical Garden: biocultural conservation, environmental education and scientific research.

The new reception of El Charco has been possible thanks to the confluence of many wills: architects, engineers, museographers, editors, designers, gardeners, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc., gathered in various work teams, as well as the contributions of numerous contributors that made this relevant project a reality. To all of them, infinite thanks (and an apology in advance for any possible omission).CREDITS:

ARCHITECTONIC PROGRAM
Peter Alvarado · Marco Barrera Bassols · Jose Maria Bilbao · El Charco del Ingenio

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
Peter Alvarado · Studio 15B

ENGINEERING AND WORKS
Hyacinth Estrada · EMAG Engineering

MUSEOGRAPHY
Marco Barrera Bassols · MUSEUM

GARDENING
El Charco del Ingenio · louis franke ·
Maguey Nursery

SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
Eduardo Olbes

STORE (FURNITURE)
Francisco Motta

DONORS:

Montemiro · Gillian & Peter Neumeier Foundation · Community Foundation for Monterey · San Miguel Community Foundation · Hernan Drobny

Kahren & Michael Arbitman · Mark Deutschmann · Regine & Francois Sicart · susan edelstein · Unitarian Universalist Fellowship · Vanguard Charitable · Maria & Goerdt Abel · Ronald Thomas

William Peters · Terry & Jack Reinhart · Francisco Rios Jimenez · Richard Gullan · Linda Whyman · Barbara Erickson · Honey Sharp · Fisher-Weisman · Andy Blair · William Lee Ginager · Carolyn Stutts · C Jobe · Guilt King · Christopher Hixson · Monica Gerez · carol jackson · Margot Dufrene Ketz · Eduardo Adame · QR Minerals

Kenneth L. Hillenburg · Leon Horowitz · Stephen Livingstone · Michael Pope · Marilyn Link · Christine McReynolds · Jimena Gimenez Cacho · Ray Miles · John Chapman · William Lipsey · Steven Goldstein · Joshua Ehrlich · Rod & Glenna Copeland · Alfredo Alcantara · Phyllis Pitluga · Ed Laun · Richard Mason · Joy Levine · Victor Hackl · Matthew Carroll · Daniel Neuspiel · David Zi Enterprises · Richard Plewa · Luke Rich · Dale Braiman · Robert Merchasin · Gregory Diamond · klaus schmidt · Weston Young · Deborah Chlebana · George Yatskyevich · Alberto Gonzalez Varela · Emiliano Sanchez · Kathleen Shepherd · naomi zurcher

BOTANICAL GARDENS IN MEXICO

The knowledge and use of plants in our country dates back to the Mesoamerican cultures that developed an essential relationship with them and gave them endless uses: constructive, food, medicinal, craft, ornamental, hunting...

This knowledge survived colonization and became part of our biocultural heritage. The collections of Texcoco and Tenochtitlan of the Mexica empire were succeeded by the botanical and herbarium gardens of the viceroyalty and independent Mexico.

Mexico, a mega-diverse country, today has dozens of botanical gardens dedicated to the conservation and study of the natural world.

How many botanical gardens do you know? Visit the Charco Interpretive Room to meet the most representative of the country.

https://dgcii.conabio.gob.mx/jardines-botanicos/

EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY OF THE MEXICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANICAL GARDENS

On February 24, during the annual assembly of the association that brings together and articulates the work of the botanical gardens of Mexico, El Charco del Ingenio was elected to occupy the Presidency of this important organization. In this way, we received from the Clavijero Ethnobotanical Garden, dependent on the Institute of Ecology that operates in Jalapa, Veracruz, the responsibility of leading the association for a period of three years.

Likewise, during the aforementioned assembly, the new Board of Directors of the Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens was voted unanimously, being organized as follows:
– President: M. in C. Mario A. Hernández, El Charco del Ingenio
– Administrative Secretary: M. en C. José Viccon, El Charco del Ingenio
– Administrative Secretary: Lic. Marisa Ávalos, El Charco del Ingenio
– Educational Secretary: M. en C. Carmen Cecilia Hernández, Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology of the UNAM, CDMX
– Scientific Secretary: M. in C. Erika Margarita Pagaza, Botanical Garden of Culiacán, Sinaloa
– Treasurer: CP Verónica Sagelín Hernández, El Charco del Ingenio
– North Vocalía: Biol. Jesús Escalante, Botanical Garden of Los
Mochis, Sinaloa
– Center Vocalía: Biol. Mónica Rivas Avendaño, Haravéri Botanical Garden, Jalisco
– South Vocalía: M. in C. Hermes Lacustre, Cassiano Conzatti Botanical Garden, Oaxaca

The new appointments integrate a diverse and qualified team for the tasks of the Association and its representation in Mexico and abroad. And it also places the state of Guanajuato as a biodiverse territory, recognizing the trajectory of the Charco Ethnobotanical Garden during its 30 years of existence.

THOSE LIZARDS YOU SEE RUNNING

With the change of season, many animals that had remained hidden due to their biological characteristics resurface. One of these is the striped or whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis gularis). It is a reptile of the Teiidae family, which is characterized by its very long body and tail and its forked tongue, like that of snakes (although thicker).

These lizards usually move in small steps on the ground sticking out their tongues and “smelling” the traces left by the small insects and arachnids that are usually their food. It is possible to observe them in this work, very concentrated, if one stays still; but at the slightest movement, they will run so fast that only a small cloud of dust can be perceived behind them and the sound of their passage through the dry grass.

Fortunately, these interesting little lizards are still common (perhaps because of their escape velocity), in a wide geographic area from New Mexico and Texas to Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Veracruz. Their importance lies in the fact that they are very important controllers of crawling insects, such as cockroaches, crickets, spiders, worms, etc. Thanks to them we do not have a plague of these bugs in our houses... Help us to conserve them, respecting them as beings that share this world with us. So no slingshots or throwing stones at them for fun.

EL CHARCO’S NEW VISITORS GUIDE

The new design of this guide –in Spanish and English– allows the visitor to explore and discover the wide space of the Botanical Garden and access magnificent views of the Charco natural monument. The guide contains a suggested route and shows a network of trails, accessible and guarded, as well as offering information on the various points of interest in the reserve: plant exhibitions, viewpoints, bird sanctuaries, historical ruins...

OF FLOWERS AND ETHNOBOTANY: PATOL OR COLORÍN

In the north and northwest of Guanajuato, a deciduous tree known as patol (erythrina americana) It is distributed mainly in its low and medium forests. It reaches a height of 6 meters or more, and has multiple ornamental and medicinal uses. The wood is soft and is used to carve masks, handicrafts and religious images.

Its flowers are highly appreciated in Mexican cuisine for various stews, but not before removing the stamens that would give a bitter taste. From the non-edible seeds (similar to "beans" but red in color) necklaces and bracelets are made.

During this season we recommend observing its flowering in the Charco del Ingenio Pollinator Garden.

BIOCULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE GUANAJUATENSE SEMI-DESERT: DOCUMENTARY

PREMIERE!

How are 5 communities of the Guanajuato semi-desert related to the native plants of their region? Find out in this documentary; An audiovisual summary of participatory research over a year for the conservation of Mexico's biocultural heritage. It was carried out thanks to the collaboration between El Charco del Ingenio and the National Council for Science and Technology, within the Project: “Establishment of an Ethnobotanical Garden in the State of Guanajuato”

THE NEED TO COEXIST

We have recorded this picture where we can see 2 Bearded Caracaras, avocets and ducks enjoying the cool shade provided by the wetland vegetation. Resident and migratory birds, birds of prey and aquatic birds in the same space. We feel lucky to have captured this image, an example of peaceful coexistence among wild birds.

KIND REMINDER TO OUR MEMBERSHIP


We ask all members to carry their credential and register in the entrance book each time they visit the Botanical Garden. We also ask you to attend to the entry health protocol.

Thanks for your support!

NATURAL HISTORY TOURS IN ENGLISH ARE BACK

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am

Ticket: 150 pesos per person / 100 pesos members

Don't forget your mouth cover!

Soul gifts, musical gifts: Thank you, Michael Hoppé

It is very moving to see the ways in which people and sectors of our community support El Charco del Ingenio, a territory that has given peace, joy and nature to its users and visitors during the months of the pandemic.

Michael Hoppé is a recognized composer and musical producer, born in the United Kingdom and inhabitant of San Miguel since the 80s. He is an active member of the Botanical Garden, who recently has offered a lovely gift to El Charco, inspired by the daily walks he realizes on the trails of the reservation, in the company of his wife Monica. The work, Under Mexican Stars is a musical piece that takes you back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or a night walk through the cobblestone streets of San Miguel. Beneath Mexican Stars (Under the Mexican stars), is a musical piece that can take us back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or to a night walk through the cobbled streets of San Miguel. Beneath Mexican Stars (Under the Mexican stars), is a musical piece that can take us back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or to a night walk through the cobbled streets of San Miguel.

Listen here:

ART AND SCIENCE IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
NEW SET OF 12 POSTCARDS: BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF EL CHARCO

Graphic work of four creative women from San Miguel de Allende:

Marijose Marín, Marisol Guerrero, Paquina Langenscheidt and Rocío Ríos

Available in our gift shop: 300 pesos