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Plant Talk

Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Matt Newman

Las Orquídeas: Racing the Clock

Posted in Paola Pedraza-Peñalosa, Science on December 11 2012, by Matt Newman

High in the cloud forests of the Tropical Andes, picking her way through the misted foliage of Las Orquídeas National Park, NYBG botanist Paola Pedraza-Peñalosa goes about the business of collecting plant specimens. This northwest Colombian landscape is renowned for its biodiversity–it is said to have more examples of plant, animal, and microbial life than almost any other ecosystem on earth. But that’s not necessarily the only reason that Pedraza, a Colombian native and Associate Curator of our Institute of Systematic Botany, has returned. While her work is indeed groundbreaking, her motivations extend well beyond the everyday specimen collections that take place day and night here in South America.

Far from the mere process of cataloging plant life, it is the shrinking timeframe and the aggravating factors surrounding it that make Paola’s undertaking so significant.

Once controlled by armed revolutionaries, indicative of the struggles facing Colombia throughout its late history, Las Orquídeas–named for some 200 species of orchids that grow there–remained off limits to the efforts of botanists. Recording the diversity of plant life within its borders became a pipe dream for an academic community anxious to uncover the Andres’ secrets. But the recent withdrawal of these militias has opened the park to exploration and conservation efforts. And with the proverbial gates now open, scientists face a new suite of challenges–many of them a greater threat to the plants and animals being studied than the armed gunmen ever were.

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Garden News: Holiday Train Show Picks Up Speed

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 10 2012, by Matt Newman

We’re now into weeks three and four of this year’s Holiday Train Show, and as you’d expect, we can’t help but gather momentum from here on out! Thousands of fans have already toured this year’s exhibition, walking the paths between dozens of nostalgic miniatures and beneath the many bridges recreated by Paul Busse and his team at Applied Imagination. The crowds are certainly growing as we get into the December holidays, so you may want to consider grabbing up tickets sooner rather than later. But there’s more to the season than what you see under the glass of the Conservatory, as Kevin Character explains below.

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This Weekend: After-Dark Delights

Posted in Around the Garden on December 7 2012, by Matt Newman

That’s enough relaxing for one week! While last weekend’s schedule kept things simple and streamlined, we’re stepping up the pace this time around with a series of exclusive events running the gamut from seasonal to enlightening. And, of course, everything in the middle. Between the trundling trains buzzing about the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the gingerbread frosting taking over the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, you’ll find winding Forest tours, wildlife exploration, and an opportunity to meet one of the NYBG‘s favorite photographers. I suppose I should also mention our “holiday happy hours,” which seems as apt a description as any.

Saturday morning begins with Debbie Becker’s weekly Bird Walk, though this particular session is both informative and proactive. Not only will you be scoping out the avian residents and visitors flitting about the Garden, but pipping each one off on a personal list. At the end of the walk, your bird counts will be submitted to Cornell for their database as an unofficial warm-up for the Christmas Bird Count. This annual, nationwide event goes a long way to helping researchers and conservationists understand the state of the bird world in the U.S., so you won’t just be putting your Saturday to good use–you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause, as well.

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Highball Holidays

Posted in Holiday Train Show on December 6 2012, by Matt Newman

Who says a picturesque evening under twinkling lights is the stuff of romantic comedies? For that matter, why let It’s a Wonderful Life horde all the holiday magic? This is New York! There are countless opportunities to hit the town this season, all of them at your fingertips, and Bar Car Nights are easily among the best of the lot. In fact, last year’s evenings were such a smash with our visitors that we’re stepping up our game this time around.

Saturday evenings throughout December, you’ll have the chance to experience the Holiday Train Show in a slightly different light: one without the kids tugging at your coat. Trust me, that’s a huge change of atmosphere for this holiday classic. While we’ll be the first to tell you that this event is a picture-perfect family affair, we’re also sensitive to the fact that most of you see the season as a new source of stress–through shopping lists, in-laws, and more than a few family feasts to plan out. Consider Bar Car Nights the antidote to what ails you.

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