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Newsletter October 2023

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. XVIII, No. 10

Borders? I have never seen any border. However I have heard that they exist in some people’s minds

— Thor Heyerdahl

A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR MEMBERS

Meet Viridantha minuscula
A new plant discovered in El Charco del Ingenio, a species of Bromeliad with no previous record.
Posada Corazon (Aldama 9)
Tuesday 17 October / 5pm – 6.30pm

The discovery of new plant species is not common nowadays, especially in populated territories studied by botanists for centuries, such as the region of San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato. For this reason, the discovery of a new plant species, already confirmed by specialized scientific institutions, is very relevant news. This plant was sighted on the cliffs of El Charco del Ingenio by José Viccon, official biologist from the Botanical Garden, for several years. Resembling two species of the Bromeliad family, of the Tillandsia genus (locally known as paxtle, gallitos, heno), it turned out to be a new species of the Viridanthagenus, according to studies carried out by experts over several years and recently published in the journal International Phytotaxa.

We invite our members to financially support the Botanical Garden in this event where they will be able to closely observe this new species described for science, as well as spend a peaceful afternoon in the patios of a beautiful house in the historic center.

There will be presentations by Cesar Arias (President of Board), Mario Hernández (General Director) and Alfredo García-Lucío (member of the Board), sharing topics such as the importance of conservation, scientific research and the impact of El Charco del Ingenio in the community of San Miguel de Allende.

Bring your current membership credential and confirm your attendance at charcodelingenio@gmail.com

ART EXHIBIT “NOSTALGIA FOR NATURE” MARIBEL PORTELA

LAST DAYS!

BOTANICAL GARDEN INTEPRETIVE HALL

We are pleased to present the recent work, especially prepared for El Charco del Ingenio, by this renowned Mexican plastic artist, whose creativity exceeds the limits of conventional artistic activity. Her work is closely related to nature, which she uses as a formal and symbolic vehicle to display transformation processes through our interaction with it. As a result of this link, Maribel Portela's sculpture builds artificial organic prototypes and models. Manipulating common and natural materials, the artist builds natural imaginaries, whose infinite forms incite a playful and provocative experience in the viewer, in the form of aesthetic utopias of a world that is succumbing.

Maribel Portela has a very extensive artistic career: more than 43 individual exhibitions plus participation in more than 100 collective exhibitions, both in Mexico and cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the United States. She is a member of the National System of Creators since 2001, has carried out artistic residencies outside the country and her collections are found in various museums in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Canada and the United States.

IN OCTOBER: THE BOTANICAL GARDENS OF MEXICO IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Botanical gardens play a fundamental role for plant conservation and environmental education.

The Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens (AMJB) was founded in 1980 and since then, it convenes and integrates the botanical gardens of the country to promote the relationship between them and reaffirm their participation with society. It also organizes an annual meeting where, through presentations, workshops and assemblies, criteria and decisions are unified for the achievement of common objectives

To take place during October 3 – 7 El Charco del Ingenio-Jardín Botánico

More information: https://elcharco.org.mx/xxxvi-reunion-anual-y-asamblea…/

OCTOBER 10, NATIONAL CACTI DAY

There are about 1,400 species of cacti in the world of which 669 are Mexican and 518 endemic to our country.

We celebrate the National Cactaceae Day with the purpose of recognizing and valuing the great natural wealth they represent for Mexico. These prodigious plants live mainly in areas where there is moisture shortage, but some are also found in warm and humid places.

Cacti are very importantin dry (arid) ecosystems as they give protection to a large number of species. Many birds, reptiles and mammals , use their branches, trunks and roots to make their nests and burrows. Its beautiful flowers and appetizing fruits feed a great diversity of insects, birds and bats. In addition, they protect the soil against erosion and capture water and moisture.

IN NOVEMBER: DAY OF THE DEAD OFFERING

From November 2 to 4

As every year, the Botanical Garden prepares and displays its offering for the dead, usually dedicated to loved ones close to our community project, who are no longer with us.

We thus reiterate our enthusiasm and respect for this deep-rooted Mexican tradition, which confronts us with the Great Mystery and brings us closer to dear people that we miss and that we carry in our hearts.

EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO, A STRENGTHENED CITIZEN PROJECT

Soon it will be 32 years of this beloved citizen, self-managed, Mexican and independent project, which has received multiple certifications, recognitions and above all has been consolidated and strengthened over the years. 

We invite you to enjoy this video and share it with your friends.

NEW PUBLICATIONS!

ASK FOR THESE BOOKS ON YOUR NEXT VISIT TO THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO: MEMBER OF BOTANIC GARDEN CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (BGCI)

Since 2005, El Charco del Ingenio has been part of Botanical Garden Conservation International , the largest network of botanical gardens and plant conservation experts in the world. Based in London,England, this organization brings together a large number of botanical gardens in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to link members to create global participatory strategies in order to ensure plant diversity, for the well-being of people and the planet.

In a country like Mexico, whose geography comprises an enormous biotic wealth, botanical gardens play a fundamental role in the knowledge and conservation of biocultural heritage.

NATURAL HISTORY TOURS IN ENGLISH

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 am

Ticket: 150 pesos per person / 100 pesos members

CHARCO BIRDWALKS

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

NEW IZCUINAPAN REGIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY HALL IN THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM. MIGUEL MALO ZOZAYA COLLECTION

The Botanical Garden shares and celebrates with the association Amigos del Museo this new exhibition space of the archaeological heritage of San Miguel de Allende, which was inaugurated last October in the "Casa de Allende Museum". The Sala Izcuinapan already exhibits the valuable archaeological collection gathered by Miguel Malo Zozaya, who for years studied and disseminated regional pre-Hispanic history, especially that which flourished during a period of a thousand years in the middle section of the Laja River.

After 50 years in which most of this collection left San Miguel de Allende, this extraordinary collection has returned to be safeguarded, studied, restored and exhibited permanently in the Museum.

This great effort towards recovering such important heritage derives from the confluence of diverse participants: historians, archaeologists, restorers, museographers, photographers,

designers, draftsmen, activists ..., a vast collective work with the support of INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) and local donors.