MISSION-BASED IDENTIFICATION OF GARDEN AUDIENCES

Georgia Journal of Science, 2004 by Laufer, Geraldine Adamich

The Atlanta Botanical Garden hosted the 8th meeting of the Plant Conservation Committee of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN-The World Conservation Union. Delegates from seven countries attended the two-day Species Survival Commission meetings in Atlanta on the way to the 2000 AABGA conference in South Carolina and the first-ever World Botanic Gardens Congress. They returned in 2004. The Committee and the Congress provided an invaluable exchange of information.

At the university level, in a new program beginning in 2005, post-doctoral candidates in microbiology from nearby Emory University will obtain hands-on experience in the new Ron Determann Tissue Culture Lab working on protocols for the propagation of native species orchids. A dialog between the organizations began after a Piedmont Park Conservancy roundtable discussion.

Extensive research into a new technology to support the growth of orchids native to high elevations (6-10,000 feet) around the world in "Hotlanta" has resulted in the unique prototype 'air washer' climate control system for the Fuqua Orchid Center (opened March 2002). This synthesis of conventional greenhouse heating and cooling, a fogging system and an 'air washer' from the textile industry, all controlled by custom-designed computer software, is the first of its kind in the world. Representatives from the Singapore Botanic Garden have visited ABG twice to take notes on the project.

Conservation

The Garden is renowned for its very active conservation program at both native and international levels. Bog and native plant restoration work stretches across five southeastern states and involves governmental and private environmental groups, native plant societies and private landowners, all members of the Garden audience. This work was recognized by many U.S. Fish and Wildlife Grants, and featured in popular consumer magazines such as Southern Living (April, 2001) and television shows (The Natural South, Turner South, 2003 and 2005), stimulating a lot of dialog. The Garden is a founding member of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and staff members participate in the many related conservation organizations, enlarging the Garden audience. Work with Torreya taxifolia or Stinking Cedar native to the Florida panhandle and South Georgia, Garden researchers have grown more than 3,000 indexed plants to replant and extend their distribution beyond the original range where they are being destroyed by fungus. Torreya is related to Taxus, and both are proving important for cancer research.

Internationally, the Garden's relationship with a sister organization, Maquipucuna Reserve in Ecuador, produces international understanding, internship programs and an improved standard of living in Ecuador. Interns return from Atlanta with options to the local slash-and-burn economy. Threatened palms from tropical islands, tropical carnivorous pitcher plants (Nepenthes), and Madagascar Spiny Forest plants (Dididereaceae).

Exhibits of poison frogs from South America help to preserve unique genetic pools while educating the American public about these beautiful endangered animals. Governments of Central and South American countries where the frogs originate, sanction the exhibits and thus become an audience linked by conservation. A grant from Queens University in Northern Ireland provides resources for additional staff and frog lab equipment.