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Post by shawnintland on May 16, 2015 12:44:58 GMT
Dear Nepenthes enthusiasts, this is an EMERGENCY appeal for your assistance! As many of you already know, I and a small group of friends, now known as the S.E. Asian Nepenthes Study & Research Foundation (SEANSRF) have spent the better part of the last decade promoting the conservation of Thailand’s endangered Nepenthes species. We have made some great progress, including having saved the last known genetically pure colony of N. mirabilis var globosa from imminent destruction in December 2012 (with only one week to spare!), exposing literally thousands of Thailand's students to both Nepenthes and their conservation, motivating the country's scientific institutions to become involved in Nepenthes research and conservation…but today we find we are up against a situation which requires far more than we can come up with on our own! And the time-frame is extremely short! The World’s last remaining colony of N. suratensis is about to be destroyed to make way for a new, gigantic prison complex! There is NO stopping this from happening! Huge sums of money have been invested in planning and permitting and today I was informed that construction will begin in June, 2015! We have 2-3 weeks to rescue as much of the genetic diversity as possible before it is lost forever! I’ll have to ask that you just believe me when I say that right up to this very minute we have been doing our utmost to turn this situation around (I’ll add some notes about yesterday’s developments in a follow-up post to clarify that point). Right now I can tell you that I spent this afternoon at the site, in a tremendous downpour, making a hundred+ cuttings as fast as I could. Today I have also received commitments from two local Universities to host cutting-based gene banking programs and have recruited a team of Uni researchers to work with us to save all we can in the next few remaining weeks. The Director of the Department of Corrections has donated 50 rai of land (about 20 acres) nearby for the transplanting of the rootmasses after we take as many cuttings as possible. He has also offered us a ‘captive’ workforce of incarcerated prisoners to assist! Now, what we are sorely in need of is financial assistance to make this happen…and we only have one chance! “Talking” about saving species is easy – actually “doing” it is a bit more difficult ...and costs money! Here’s an opportunity for everyone to show just how much they really care. I will assure that any donations to SEANSRF which are earmarked for the “ N. suratensis survival project” are 100% applied to trying to save this species in the little time that’s left. (See below for link) I’m going to throw caution to the wind here – it won’t matter anymore by the end of June if someone with evil, self-centered profit motives learns of the colony location! But showing you the situation just might inspire some of you to contribute and that could mean the difference in saving this species from extinction. Below is a diagram of the site of this last remaining colony and I have overlaid the construction plans for the new prison. As you can see, most of the plants will be either ‘under’ the prison or destroyed in the construction process either by land clearing, material stockpiles or workers' quarters. Just so you understand, this isn't something we have just now jumped into, here is the conceptual model for the conservation of N. suratensis based on the Miradi conservation program prior to this event arising (Read from right to left; outcomes in green, direct treats in red, indirect threats in orange, solutions/approaches in yellow). We were well 'on the way' with the local school Nep-Ed program kicking in on June 2-4 with a teacher training program at the local University, the Nat'l Science and Technology Development Agency helping set up a community tissue culture lab, approximately 1,000 seed-grown plants in the SEANSRF gene bank, numerous Universities enrolled in assisting us, the Department of Agriculture, the Royal Family, CITES, IUCN and many others kept 'in-the-loop' on what we are attempting. But now it has come down to " DO or LET DIE" for this species! So I'm appealing to you, the people who care the most about these plants. I hope you will see the importance of this as an example for the conservation world of what CAN be done, if enough people really care to see it through! There's a PayPal 'donation' button on the SEANSRF website (which I am afraid is terribly 'out of date'!) at www.SaveNepenthes.orgSEANSRF and especially N. suratensis thank you for any assistance! Please help us save Nepenthes! Shawn Mayes Secretariat - SEANSRF
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Post by shawnintland on May 16, 2015 14:32:31 GMT
As promised, here's yesterday's record of events;
Dear Friends,
For the last year or more I have included a quote from Steve Jobs in every one of the SEANSRF Nepenthes presentations;
"The people who are crazy enough to believe they can change the World are the ones that do!"
I've just finished day #1 of our workshop/meetings at Prince of Songkhla University and if you have an interest in species conservation I believe you will enjoy my initial report on the happenings...Are you sitting down?
PSU Trang has set aside 5 rai of the last known genetically pure and extremely endangered N. mirabilis var globosa colony as a 'total exclusion zone' for Nepenthes conservation!
PSU Trang has set aside a further 6 rai of the N. mirabilis var globosa colony as an educational conservation garden!
PSU Surat has offered use of 2,700 rai of land in Chai Ya for Endangered Nepenthes species gene banking!
The Department of Corrections has set aside 50 rai of their Kanchanadit prison land as a conservation area for the World's very last remaining colony of the critically endangered N. suratensis!
SEANSRF has PSU's full support of all Nepenthes research and conservation programs in Thailand including hosting our first primary school teacher training Science Camp on June 2, 3 & 4th!
Now, in terms of the reports on the preliminary results of SEANSRF's on-going Nepenthes research programs with PSU & Walailak University I can tell you only a little bit, as tomorrow we will discuss 4 more projects, but for right now...
The Walailak U. study, 'A new classification of Thailand’s Nepenthes species by genetic analysis of AFLP markers' has now been repeated (4 times!)with 12 Thai species + 1 variety and numerous surrounding countries' IC species, each time confirming the initial results!
The PSU preliminary experimental results of the 'Flow Cytometry Identification of Sex of Individual Nepenthes species'(N. suratensis) has been a success! (Hint; lower pitcher tissues provide the best results!)
The PSU preliminary experiments on 'Nepenthes Pollen storage for lengthened viability' has been a success! (we are up to 42 days at 4 degrees Celsius)
The PSU experiments on 'Creation of Artificial Seeds ('Synseeds') based on Somatic Embryos with Artificial Endosperm' has been a success!
After the presentations we all returned to the various labs and ran through the procedures of all experiments (except WU's). It was all very exciting to participate in! I am particularly impressed with the artificial seeds results with the encapsulated somatic embryos from 4-month old TC'ed seeds which grow at an unbelievable rate! Even better, it appears that they will allow for International germplasm exchange exempt from plant quarantine regulations!
All of these experiments, and 4 others, have been approved for funding starting in October of this year, but a few months back the researchers were all given the 'go ahead' by Dr. Chusak the President of PSU and Dr. Charoen the VP of PSU Surat, based on their discussions with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and SEANSRF at NAC 2015. So, despite all this progress, the 'real' fun doesn't even start for another five months!
There's even more, but I need to prepare for tomorrow's meetings, so I'll leave you with that for now. Please join me in hoisting a beer or libation of your choice...and remember that whatever your dreams are... no matter how crazy it may be, BELIEVE!
My best wishes to you and with all my heart, thank you for your support, Shawn
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Post by shawnintland on May 17, 2015 11:08:49 GMT
First of all, I would like to say a big Thank you to all those who have contributed to this campaign! Your kind donations enable us to try to make a difference!
Here’s an update on the happenings, 30 hours after learning about the situation…
After spending the afternoon on Saturday at the site making as many cuttings as I could in a downpour, I returned to the prison office and met with the officials to discuss the situation. I presented them with an A3 size copy of the first of the above photos and asked them to speak with the engineering company to request that they start work on the areas without N. suratensis first so as to allow us as much time as possible to try to preserve as much of the genetic diversity as possible. They have agreed to do so. They also showed me the areas they feel will be cleared of all vegetation and it appears the Southern (bottom colony 3 in photos) and central colony 2 portions will be totally wiped out! However, they have set aside 50 rai (about 20 acres) as a conservation area in honor of the Queen and this includes a good portion of the original first-found colony. They have been busy planting endangered tree species in many parts of the area, but I think I got the message through that the Neps will require full to bright sunlight in order to thrive.
I also managed to get off letters to four of the highest ranking Scientists in the country last night, all of whom I have communicated and/or worked with in the past and present. Hopefully they will contact others to provide the necessary assistance, guidance and will-power to save this species from disappearing forever. I’ve also been in touch with the Chairman and the Scientific Focal Point of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Carnivorous Plant Specialist Group to inform them of what is going on.
My experience taking cuttings yesterday gave me hope, as it was not too difficult to locate and make cuttings of the plants in the Southernmost section, but today saw me wading through chest-high grass in the mid-day heat trying to re-locate the central plant colony! As anyone who has visited the site can tell you, it is HOT! I didn’t have a thermometer with me but I sweated so much that my entire body was/is cramping so badly I had to pull off the road on the way to the ferry to return home so I could buy packets and bottles of electrolytes! Not to mention getting ‘tree’ed’ by an enormous boar for a few minutes! Haa, haa, haa! Seems he thought I was threatening his harem! Although it was far more difficult to locate the plants in the central zone than yesterday, in the end I managed to fill a couple large bags of both male and female cuttings. I’m hoping Trongtham will be able to join us as he GPS’ed loads of the plants with me a few years back and still has all the data points in his GPS, which would make it far easier! Next weekend the entire University research team and I will return to continue, but at least for now we have taken the first steps to preserve a bit of the genetic diversity.
I’m currently on the car ferry retuning home and all my phone-to-computer cables are ‘down below’ so any pictures will have to wait until I get back to my office! In the meantime, again I’d like to thank all those who have made donations and I’ll try to keep you updated on the situation. Anyone else who is still ‘undecided’, I’d like to encourage you to join the effort, your assistance could make the difference!
P.S. We have been offered some great assistance by way of a few different auctions of Nepenthes plants and cuttings with all the funds supporting this effort! I’ll post news about this as it comes together!
Best wishes, Shawn
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Post by shawnintland on May 17, 2015 13:49:57 GMT
Well, I made it home but I'm about to pass out after 3 days of non-stop activity & heat, but I want to give you a few shots from the site to get a feel for N. suratensis... Got to admit it is a pretty nice looking plant! You can see the number of basal shoots that form on these thorelii-aggregate species. It is lucky that its the right time of year to be able to determine the sex of the plants when taking cuttings. And it IS a pretty photogenic site! A few cuttings trying to stay cool in the shade despite the mid-day heat; My Buddy's younger brother! Okay, off to bed...finally!
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Post by shawnintland on May 18, 2015 14:57:46 GMT
As promised, I'll try to keep updating this thread as we go. Today was Cutting-Initiation Day around SEANSRF. Our past experience has show that the TA species we work with are quite responsive to rooting in water. Rooting in other media also works, but with time being of the essence, this meant we were able to get every cutting started in the process today. In the coming days/weeks we may try to shift some percentage of cuttings to other media to experiment for developing methodology protocols. All cuttings were labeled & had their basal cut ends immediately immersed in water in a shaded area upon unpacking. The batches were first all examined for pests, cleaned and then had excess leaves removed or cut back to reduce transpiration (all but newest 'sheath'-leaf), and all flower stalks were removed. Then each batch of cuttings were returned to water. Meanwhile, inexpensive plastic drinking cups were prepared by burning 2 holes just below the mid-point with a heated steel rod. (The cups were chosen for their very low cost which allows us to replace them if necessary). Then 50% of the cups were spray painted black to shade the roots for experimental purposes.(In-process photo) A 1 cm. deep slit was made across the basal end of the cutting. By twisting the knife the slit is made to stay slightly open. These exposed tissue surfaces are where 90% of the rooting will occur. Cuttings were then placed (3-6 per cup depending on cutting group quantities) and were later switched so that 50% are in clear cups and 50% in black cups. Each batch was given multiple labels. Cups were filled with water and allowed to drain to the holes just below the midpoint. The cups can, from now on, be flushed with a hose and all water levels will return to the same depth each time. Trays were then moved to a bright shade location in the greenhouses under automatic misting where they will be monitored daily. Here's a few cuttings started with this method about 2.5 months ago; and rooting; That's it! Not really high-tech rocket science here...just needs to get done! These and other photos taken today will now be used to update our SEANSRF Student training manuals and a PowerPoint will hopefully be produced to pass out for training the Uni crew before next weekend...in all of our 'spare' time! Haa, haa, haa! Once again, a big thank you to everyone that has made a donation to make this work possible..and a few who have already made more than one! We REALLY thank YOU! Shawn
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Post by shawnintland on May 24, 2015 2:52:53 GMT
I wish to thank those of you who have supported us already! I hope you will forgive me and understand that things are getting a little 'crazy' over here and I have very little time to update this post right now. I can tell you that there are a lot of activities going on 'behind the scenes', but much of it must stay just that; 'behind the scenes', until the appropriate time. Meanwhile, N. suratensis habitat destruction was addressed as part of the subject of the 'IUCN - Thailand Country Representative's International Biodiversity Day opening speech to a conference by the Ministry of Natural Resources' Office of Nat'l Environmental Policy & Planning! I've been told there was strong interest and 'good response' to the subject. Awaiting further details. A post on the subject of the current N. suratensis situation in Thai language, by a Thai citizen, has been put up on Facebook and had received in excess of 67,000 views by yesterday! Exactly the kind of thing that needs to happen! ...Remember to keep your comments ' positive' if you choose to join in - please no dragging it down with doom and gloom or negative comments on the Government or Dept. of Corrections...we want them to work with us, not against us! Praise for their "concern and assistance" will likely benefit the situation far more than accusation and inflammatory statements! As mentioned above, there is a lot more going on and the actions and outcomes will hopefully be seen before too long! Meanwhile, keep your hopes up, say prayers, tell friends and support this action...and DONATE if you can! I will be away at the SEANSRF Teacher-Training Science Camp from June 1-4, at the site 5-7, hopefully touring the S. Thailand colonies with the BIOTEC Team from the 8-10 and then presenting at the Nat'l Biodiversity Conference on the 10-12 in Trang. I'll 'try' to update again, but please understand if it takes some time. Thank you!
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Post by shawnintland on May 29, 2015 1:49:09 GMT
Hello again to those interested in the events concerning the last remaining colony of this critically endangered species. I thank you for following up on the situation! I only have a very short amount of time to update right now, but would like to let you know that concern is growing in Thailand and around the World! Many others are now coming to the aid of these plants by asking for consideration of a delay of the beginning of the construction. Others have joined with us in the planning of the conservation activities and still more are working to try to help fund operations. The situation is quite 'fluid', and all are trying to adapt to the changing conditions the best we can! There is still much activity going on behind the scenes, but it is now possible to share with you the actions of a few allies in the efforts to preserve N. suratenssis; While it is all in Thai language, if you go to; www.greenworld.or.th/green-issues/พืชก็มีหัวใจ/ you can see and download a letter urging that a 3-month delay be instituted to allow further preparations to be put in place for conservation measures to preserve the species. The letter was sent to the Deputy Director of the Department of Corrections and the Director of the prison, and signed by the President of "Green World Foundation" on behalf of 5 conservation organizations including: Green World Foundation Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation Bird Conservation Society of Thailand. Biodiversity Conservation Group (siamensis.org) International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Thailand. There's other very important news coming, and as soon as I am able to do so, I will post it here. Thanks for following this story and for your support! A few other links; Change.org has an online petition seeking 5,000 signatures asking to delay construction for 3 months...right now there are 3,906 signatures, meaning they still need 1,108 to reach the goal...please see, sign and share the link as widely as possible! Change.org N. suratenis petitionmanager.co.th/Science/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9580000059325 www.tcijthai.com/tcijthainews/view.php?ids=5585
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Post by shawnintland on May 29, 2015 11:35:37 GMT
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Post by shawnintland on May 30, 2015 0:34:46 GMT
We now need just 192 more signatures to reach the 5,000 goal on the Change.org petition! PLEASE add your name to those concerned (you can immediately afterwards go to the bottom of the Change.org page and reset the preference so that you do not get sent auto-notifications from them if you choose.
Thanks!!!
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Post by shawnintland on May 30, 2015 5:59:59 GMT
News is coming faster and faster these days! Once again, a BIG THANKS to everyone who has played a role in this! The many people at IUCN who have assisted on this have renewed my faith in their organization and displayed just how committed they are to all species conservation. I thank them all for their continued efforts! It's hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago, almost to the minute, I was first hearing the 'news' about N. suratensis! I think everyone who has played a role in this effort can feel quite happy that we have made this much progress in our attempts...in such a short time. We are not "there" yet, but definitely moving in the right direction!!! Let's hope events continue moving this way & we can hold a bit of a party (and get some sleep!) someday soon! The Change.org website seems to be down temporarily (Hope we had something to do with that!) but the last I saw we only needed less than 190 signatures, perhaps we are getting there by now!! I have just received clearance to publicly post the following letter, signed by Inger Anderson - the Director General of IUCN & Simon Stuart - the Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The signed letter is now en route to the Prime Minister, with copies having been sent to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Various Provincial governors, the Director General of the Department of Corrections and the Director General of the Department of Public Works! The Department of National Parks, Department of Agriculture's Germplasm Bank and many others are all in our corner now! There are still many other facets of our 'in-the-works' actions that need to stay quiet, for a little while longer at least, but you can be assured, we are NOT resting yet! Haa, haa, haa! Shawn More news to come!
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Post by shawnintland on May 30, 2015 7:37:28 GMT
Post by shawnintland on a few seconds ago Okay...now that the 5,000 signatures is completed...we only need 1,776 more to reach 7,500!!! Change.org N. suratenis petition
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vraev
Full Member
Posts: 171
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Post by vraev on Jun 1, 2015 5:54:28 GMT
Signed. Thanks Shawn for the ongoing updates.
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Post by shawnintland on Jun 5, 2015 6:37:32 GMT
Dear friends, colleagues and supporters, June 4, 2015 I am extremely happy to be able to report to you today that through the cooperative efforts of all parties The Department of Corrections, Prince of Songkhla University - Surat Thani and SEANSRF (with additional observers from Klong Cha-Un municipal sub-district, Phanom District, Suratthani, Under HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s RSPG project) have reached an agreement which will allow for a three-month period during which conservation activities to preserve the critically endangered Thai Nepenthes species N. suratensis will be enacted! This agreement will be considered as having commenced on June 1st, 2015 and all conservation activities will be completed by September 1, 2015. On behalf of SEANSRF particularly, and the supporters of biodiversity around the World, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the officials of the Department of Corrections for their willingness to consider our pleas regarding the importance of this species and their efforts to preserve it from what has appeared to be a looming and almost inevitable extinction event. We recognize that the Department faces immense problems, particularly due to overcrowding of the existing prisons and must consider the welfare of those they are charged with housing alongside their concerns for the environment. Their continuing cooperation in this matter, despite the hardships doing so has entailed, represents a shining example of how government agencies around the World can assist to preserve Nature for the benefit of all, while carrying out their duties. I would also like to thank Prince of Songkhla University for their leading role in facilitating this agreement. I would further point out that in less than 3 years, this is the second time that PSU's cooperation with SEANSRF has meant that a critically endangered species has been given a second chance at survival! Yet another shining example for Institutions around the World to follow! There are many others to whom I wish to send my thanks and appreciation; HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Steve LeClurq, IUCN, Sir David Attenborough, Green World Foundation, Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation and far, far too many others to name here…but each of you know you are in my thoughts, and I hope you will feel pride in what you have done to assist biodiversity conservation. Please continue to believe that your efforts can, and do, have an effect! There remains a lot of hard work to do and the clock is ticking! Fortunately, this campaign has brought out the very best in many institutions, individuals and interest groups. With your continued support we stand to be successful in efforts to preserve the World's last remaining colony of this unique treasure of Thailand's biodiversity. Sincerely, Shawn Shawn Mayes Secretariat - SE Asian Nepenthes Study & Research Foundation
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