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February 2010 - Volume V, No. 2 OUR MISSION: To protect and preserve our natural heritage and help build an environmental culture while developing a Botanical Garden dedicated to Mexican flora and providing an oasis of peace and tranquility for all.
DON’T MISS OUT ON AVES Y AGAVES www.avesyagaves.org | www.audubonmex.org | www.mapaverdesanmiguel.org
SAVE THE LAJA supports the creation After many months of working on the plans, we have a finished proposal for the “Jardin de la Tierra” (Earth Garden), an interactive space oriented toward children and young people. The area, located near the entrance, is self-contained and safe, and will have a series of simple, rustic installations designed to introduce diverse environmental themes to youngsters (accompanied by parents or guardians) through play and hands-on experience. Some of the attractions include a pond area with a water wheel, a play area with sand surrounded by rocks, an observatory with telescope, a house made of plants, a solar calendar based on indigenous Mesoamerican design, and diverse examples of alternative energy (solar, wind, water). All the areas will have signage with explanations for both children and adults. There will also be shaded areas for resting. Financial support for this project comes from Save the Laja (founded by Susan P. Smith) and will be a special attraction for the younger visitors to El Charco. We will keep you informed in future newsletters of our progress and if anyone with appropriate experience would like to get involved, please contact us.
Garden Lecture Series If you missed this well attended presentation last June, this is your chance to hear Doug Weatherbee, who owns an organic food growing design and consulting business in San Miguel de Allende, present on soil microbiology at the Botanical Garden.
Nature, if left undisturbed, has ways to regenerate degraded soil ecosystems, albeit over long periods of time. Doug's work involves speeding up some of nature's regenerative methods by amending the soil's microbiology, thereby expanding the range of plants that can be grown. In doing this work, Doug draws on the pioneering organic growing techniques of Dr. Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb Inc., and her Oregon State University research program. Dr. Ingham is regarded as one of the world's leading applied soil microbiologists in regenerative agriculture. Doug is a Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor. He has worked with and studied watershed restoration with Craig Stonholtz of Dryland Solutions in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he learned Bill Zeedyck's Induced Meandering river restoration techniques. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer and Teacher, having studied with one of the world's leading Permaculturalists, Geoff Lawton, of the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia. 70 pesos for members of El Charco and 100 pesos for non-members. Doug will be going to Haiti to help 4 NGO's with restoration work, focusing on the food aspect of the project. All proceeds from this presentation will go to the efforts in Haiti.
DOG PARK IN EL CHARCO
We are currently discussing the possibility of economic support from the users of this dog park for the infrastructure and their participation in the management of this area. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact: nzerriffi@yahoo.com
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION CLASSES There are still a few places left for some of the March classes but registration closes February 15th so please contact nzerriffi@yahoo.com before then. Illustration in Colored Pencil: Feb 27-March 5 from 9-noon, Botany for Illustrators, Gardeners, & Amateur Botanists: March 1-5 from 1-4p.m. Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski Succulent! Capturing Cacti in Colored Pencil: March 8-12 from 9-1p.m.
Collaboration with the Agrarian University of Havana, Cuba During the month of January, Dr. Miriam Isidron Perez of the Agrarian University of Havana visited El Charco to assist our staff in propagating the species Geohintonia mexicana. This cactus is on the point of extinction due to removal by collectors. El Charco, in coordination with the Agrarian University of Havana, Advanced Research Center (CINVESTAV), Unidad Irapuato, and the National Polytechnical Institute (IPN), is trying to rescue some genotypes of threatened cacti to avoid their disappearance by multiplying and conserving them ex situ using macro- and micro-propagation techniques.
Film Production in San Miguel and El Charco In January we were privileged to receive the well-known maker of documentaries, Mitl Valdez, ex-Director of the Center for Cinema Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). UNAM’s movie team interviewed several members of our staff, including our Director, Mario Hernandez, and President of the Board, Cesar Arias, both of whom talked about the theme of development of San Miguel in its Bicentennial year of Independence.
Get to Know our Team
Seeking Volunteers The work inside the Garden as well as in the ecological buffer zone is enormous and we invite the public to participate as volunteers. We especially need help with the botanical collection area and in the nursery. If you are interested, please contact: nzerriffi@yahoo.com
Candelaria Every year El Charco has a stand at Candalaria in Juarez Park to promote and inform the public about our activities and programs.
First Municipal Ecological Fair A very successful planning meeting organized by the Ecology Department for the First Green Fair of San Miguel de Allende took place in the Boveda of the Botanical Garden. This Fair is scheduled to take place in Parque Juarez March 19, 20, 21. The meeting was presided over by Helio Bastien and 70 representatives were present of different organizations of civil society concerned about conservation and the environment. During the meeting, the Botanical Garden suggested integrating the Spring Equinox Concert into the Green Fair, an idea that was well accepted by all present. This concert, which has been taking place each year since 1999 with the participation of various musical groups, will take place on March 20th starting at 5p.m. Mark the date and stay tuned for more information about the visiting artists this year.
Aguamiel At the entrance of El Charco you may see a beautiful maguey from which this traditional drink, aguamiel, is derived. It flows from the heart of the plant – rich, delicious and nutritious. We invite our visitors to try it, courtesy of the cafeteria.
SENECIO SALIGNUS (Groundsel Willow)
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Winter birds are still here, but spring migration will be starting soon. The last of the winter waders to arrive were the American Avocets, with their long, pale-bluish-gray legs and distinctive long, thin, upcurved bills. They're in their black-and-white winter plumage, but before they leave us to head north, they will have molted into breeding plumage, with lovely reddish heads and necks. On the land, confusing winter sparrows are very active. It's easy to tell the strongly colored Lark Sparrows, but winter Chipping, Clay-colored and Brewer's Sparrows all have clear breasts and stripy yellowish wings and backs. A black line from bill through eye and beyond identifies the Chippy. Clay-colored has a stronger face pattern than Brewer's, and buffy flanks. But some of them just look too much alike to tell!
Yoga “Desde el corazón” (from the Heart) Cost 100 pesos per class, Monthly package (8 classes) 680 pesos
Yoga, as other ancient philosophy-disciplines in the world, is inspired by nature, learning to observe, hear, feel and imitate. This work allows us to observe, hear and feel ourselves, connecting us to our inner nature. If you are a lover of nature and yoga, this is a worthwhile experience whether you are a resident or visitor.
TEMASCAL This relaxing steam bath is a ritual of healing and purification and is available every month for both men and women. Bring bathing suits and towels. It takes place in the ruins of an old hacienda, under the moonlight, across the dam from El Charco’s reception area. The mixture of heat, humidity and scented plants and herbs is a purifying experience for mind and spirit. Its benefits are many: it activates blood circulation, increases natural body defenses, eliminates odors, relaxes muscles, helps keep the nervous system in good shape, stimulates breathing and is excellent for weight loss. 250 pesos, space is limited so please call for reservations or information 154 88 38, 154 4715 or in El Charco’s main office.
It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings. Admission is 30 pesos, free for members. Children welcome. Any questions, call Alicia Mayo at 152 -0376.
And you can make a difference with your contribution - volunteer or donate. We appreciate your support!! Please contact Naomi at nzerriffi@yahoo.com E-mail any comments or questions to the Editor at elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com
“Botanical Gardens are not just places for conserving and displaying plants. At the dawn of the new millennium, they are main actors in the defense and protection of the planet’s biodiversity, with a growing focus on the regional – thinking globally and acting locally. And they are also builders of a new environmental culture for the societies that inhabit the Earth.”
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