Post by marcel on Sept 14, 2010 15:12:14 GMT
Stewart McPherson, well known for his magnificent books on carnivorous plants, has taken the initiative to form the Ark of Life Foundation. This non-profit foundation will initiate projects to preserve and protect genetic bloodlines of endangered species in cultivation.
The first of these projects has just started. The Rare Nepenthes Collection Project aims to ensure the continuing existence of the four most endangered species of Nepenthes.
These species are: Nepenthes aristolochioides, Nepenthes clipeata, Nepenthes khasiana and Nepenthes rigidifolia. The project will try to preserve all known ex situ lineages and obtain genetic material not yet in cultivation. It will also seek extension of participants both in this plants homelands and abroad en try to raise awareness to the threats to this species and their habitats. Plants produced by this project will be used for research and hopefully reintroduction to their
natural habitat.
This project is a joined operation between the Ark of
Life Foundation, the ICPS and the Botanical gardens of Leiden (NL), where this collection will be housed. Last August, during the ICPS conference at Leiden the project agreement was signed.
At this time the website of this project, www.arkoflife.net is not on line yet as people are still working hard to finish it. As soon as it will be on line we will let everyone know.
Attached is a picture of the signing of the project agreement. The picture was taken by Mr. Art Vogel of the Botanical gardens.
Left to right:
Paul Kessler, Director of the Botanical gardens of Leiden, Stewart McPherson, Director Ark of Life Foundation and Marcel van den Broek, Vice President ICPS
The first of these projects has just started. The Rare Nepenthes Collection Project aims to ensure the continuing existence of the four most endangered species of Nepenthes.
These species are: Nepenthes aristolochioides, Nepenthes clipeata, Nepenthes khasiana and Nepenthes rigidifolia. The project will try to preserve all known ex situ lineages and obtain genetic material not yet in cultivation. It will also seek extension of participants both in this plants homelands and abroad en try to raise awareness to the threats to this species and their habitats. Plants produced by this project will be used for research and hopefully reintroduction to their
natural habitat.
This project is a joined operation between the Ark of
Life Foundation, the ICPS and the Botanical gardens of Leiden (NL), where this collection will be housed. Last August, during the ICPS conference at Leiden the project agreement was signed.
At this time the website of this project, www.arkoflife.net is not on line yet as people are still working hard to finish it. As soon as it will be on line we will let everyone know.
Attached is a picture of the signing of the project agreement. The picture was taken by Mr. Art Vogel of the Botanical gardens.
Left to right:
Paul Kessler, Director of the Botanical gardens of Leiden, Stewart McPherson, Director Ark of Life Foundation and Marcel van den Broek, Vice President ICPS
