Post by bluesboy on Apr 18, 2008 16:38:46 GMT
Hi All, 
This is the beginning of a thread that hopefully I'll be able to update/add to numerous times over the coming weeks; I never realized how time consuming it is to post a photo on Flickr, and then add it to one of these posts. Regardless, I guess what I wanted to document here was my experience working as an intern at Meadowview over last summer, 2007. While this was my first time living at Meadowview, and I was only down for 2 1/2 weeks, it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life! Besides being in the middle of CP heaven, the surroundings convince you that you are in actual heaven. It was amazing to hear all those cricket frogs directly across the road, in a wetland that literally stretches as far as one can see, and then defiantly trails off behind the trees to somewhere beyond- Phil says there ¡s American Bald Eagles that nest consistently back in the remote parts of that wetland (incidentally, there ¡s no going on the wetland, as it belongs to an Army base somewhere nearby, but looking at it was more than I could ask anyway, so here's a couple pics of it, one with me sitting on the road railing just in front). As the saying goes, the picture does not do it justice (but it's a start).
Here's one view of the wetland across from Meadowview;
And another, showing some low lying ericaceous plants and sedges (there is also an endangered rush that lives there, Juncus
caesariensis I think(?)
Last, here's me and the wetland; I like how this pic illustrates how immersing one self in nature sheds the delusion of the world being small and condensed, which a lot of people feel from urban living, unrealistic views of their context in the world, etc.
The vastness recalls to me the paintings of Dali, especially the "The Persistence of Memory" (the "melting clock painting"). At times you can see naturally occuring aquatic and affixed aquatic Utric flowers near the banks, like U. inflata (or radiata?...not sure?, I'd have to ask Phil), U. cornuta(?) and U. purpurea, which is quite rare comparatively. I'm no Utric expert, but I'm quite sure at least these guys were hanging out in the wetland.
When I first got to Meadowview there was the initial state of disbelief, one that most people on this forum would likely encounter
Here's a picture of me in my 'first-day-euphoric' state- the open arms attempt to capture the vastness of this one Sarr. bed (that the camera didn't end up catching) and not to pretend that I'm anything but really skinny! ;D
I don't believe there is a larger collection of Sarracenia, or diverse a collection, that exists in the US, and certainly I've not seen anything approaching the vastness, aside from the online pics in the UK, with Mike King, and Shropshire Carnivores that houses Britain's Nation Sarracenia collection. But then again, here these pitcher plants are, and unlike Shropshire, they're not in a greenhouse- in fact they don't need any amendments to culture!- They're watered from the huge wetland reservoir, by an ingenious method that Phil came up with using gravity to feed the pumps that maintain water that the pots sit in. So, essentially, the conditions that exist on site, both geologic and hydrologic at Meadowview are already conducive to the growth of CPs. The water is low in nutrients and acid (which is why you already have CPs on site that were there long before Meadowview set up, like the Utrics and Drosera intermedia), and the soil is sand, mixed with peat as you get towards the water. Thus the operation is largely self-sufficient, save for the water Phil would haul in every morning for me- even out in rural VA it's still good to be able to shower, shave, and drink water that's not yellow!
What's also great, is that Meadowview is as minimally-invasive on the environment as is possible; because the surrounding environment already supplies the plant needs, there are no amendments that disturb the nature around the facility at all. Here's a pic of the house I stayed in- it was awesome- while I'm not picky, I couldn't have asked for better accommodations!- there was a history vibe running through the house, I think it's more than 100 years old- fun to read ghost stories at night in!!!
Here's the house I stayed in while working at Meadowview;
I would consider one of my biggest convictions, one that I've always had since a kid constantly going to the Museum of Natural History in NYC, is a love of nature, which has turned, since I've become an adult, into one who is adamant about saving it. I guess that is why when I began my work at Meadowview I felt like I'd found my meaning; "being the change you want to see". I really believe it is one of the most legitimate places on earth where things are going on that really are directly helping CPs "in situ" (very important distinction- to me personally-- the whole point in conservation is to keep these plants "In Habitat"- not just have a record of them through cultivated plants, which is important, but IMHO to a far lesser degree. This is just my opinion.). There's no doubt in my mind about that. Anyway, I'd like to also point out that the reason for this thread is because I found that Meadowview has a sub-board on this forum a couple days ago, and I felt compelled to share the immense meaning of volunteering there-what I write comes out of enthusiasm, which I can only hope will be infectious (it's one of the "good" infections anyway). But just by going down to work with the operation has made me a firm believer that we can still make a difference in this battle, which is fraught already with irreplaceably huge losses of plants and habitat. All's not lost, and I'll be updating this thread regularly with the massive amounts of pics I took, and writings of experiences from my internship. It is hoped that others might find encouragement from my transformation from skepticism of fighting a losing/lost battle, to the hope that we must find in doing what we can, and in our fight, win some security of a future prospect that still includes Sarracenia in the native landscape, and not just labels in pots that say, as a headstone "this plant, once here, now gone". I also hope my enthusiasm will spill onto others in this forum, and perhaps outside of it, and encourage people who live nearby, or don't (I live in Philly, not too close to Fredricksburg, VA) that volunteering is not only a blast (you'll be working with plants that are as rare as they get!) but will support Meadowview's conservation efforts; it's true- you can't be a CP enthusiast without caring about their conservation- believe me- it's much more satisfying doing something in the bigger picture, than before I came, and coveting my individual plants in "my collection" of CPs, which becomes quite petty after seeing the vastness of these Sarr. specimens at Meadowview - ie; BTW, Sarr. "Leah Wilkerson" is not the only Sarr. with a mouth that looks like it can engulf a cat; some flavas will give it a run for its money, but there'll be more photos later for the skeptics ļ .
Anyway, I think I'm getting too serious-minded in my writing, so I'll take a break, and start adding what the trip was all about in the next days/weeks when I get time. I think I don't have to say, but I'll say anyway; I'll definitely be there this summer!- I don't have much money to contribute, being a broke college student, but I've got time, and in the "Year of the Volunteer"(I think Phil likes the sound of that jingle), time is just as precious- I hear there needs a lot of dividing/repotting; I'm getting my hands ready!!! Maybe some people out there in cyberspace will be helping me break up big Sarr. rhizomes this summer?
More to come soon, best, Nick Haywood, "bluesboy"
This is the beginning of a thread that hopefully I'll be able to update/add to numerous times over the coming weeks; I never realized how time consuming it is to post a photo on Flickr, and then add it to one of these posts. Regardless, I guess what I wanted to document here was my experience working as an intern at Meadowview over last summer, 2007. While this was my first time living at Meadowview, and I was only down for 2 1/2 weeks, it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life! Besides being in the middle of CP heaven, the surroundings convince you that you are in actual heaven. It was amazing to hear all those cricket frogs directly across the road, in a wetland that literally stretches as far as one can see, and then defiantly trails off behind the trees to somewhere beyond- Phil says there ¡s American Bald Eagles that nest consistently back in the remote parts of that wetland (incidentally, there ¡s no going on the wetland, as it belongs to an Army base somewhere nearby, but looking at it was more than I could ask anyway, so here's a couple pics of it, one with me sitting on the road railing just in front). As the saying goes, the picture does not do it justice (but it's a start).
Here's one view of the wetland across from Meadowview;
And another, showing some low lying ericaceous plants and sedges (there is also an endangered rush that lives there, Juncus
caesariensis I think(?)
Last, here's me and the wetland; I like how this pic illustrates how immersing one self in nature sheds the delusion of the world being small and condensed, which a lot of people feel from urban living, unrealistic views of their context in the world, etc.
The vastness recalls to me the paintings of Dali, especially the "The Persistence of Memory" (the "melting clock painting"). At times you can see naturally occuring aquatic and affixed aquatic Utric flowers near the banks, like U. inflata (or radiata?...not sure?, I'd have to ask Phil), U. cornuta(?) and U. purpurea, which is quite rare comparatively. I'm no Utric expert, but I'm quite sure at least these guys were hanging out in the wetland.
When I first got to Meadowview there was the initial state of disbelief, one that most people on this forum would likely encounter
Here's a picture of me in my 'first-day-euphoric' state- the open arms attempt to capture the vastness of this one Sarr. bed (that the camera didn't end up catching) and not to pretend that I'm anything but really skinny! ;D
I don't believe there is a larger collection of Sarracenia, or diverse a collection, that exists in the US, and certainly I've not seen anything approaching the vastness, aside from the online pics in the UK, with Mike King, and Shropshire Carnivores that houses Britain's Nation Sarracenia collection. But then again, here these pitcher plants are, and unlike Shropshire, they're not in a greenhouse- in fact they don't need any amendments to culture!- They're watered from the huge wetland reservoir, by an ingenious method that Phil came up with using gravity to feed the pumps that maintain water that the pots sit in. So, essentially, the conditions that exist on site, both geologic and hydrologic at Meadowview are already conducive to the growth of CPs. The water is low in nutrients and acid (which is why you already have CPs on site that were there long before Meadowview set up, like the Utrics and Drosera intermedia), and the soil is sand, mixed with peat as you get towards the water. Thus the operation is largely self-sufficient, save for the water Phil would haul in every morning for me- even out in rural VA it's still good to be able to shower, shave, and drink water that's not yellow!
What's also great, is that Meadowview is as minimally-invasive on the environment as is possible; because the surrounding environment already supplies the plant needs, there are no amendments that disturb the nature around the facility at all. Here's a pic of the house I stayed in- it was awesome- while I'm not picky, I couldn't have asked for better accommodations!- there was a history vibe running through the house, I think it's more than 100 years old- fun to read ghost stories at night in!!!
Here's the house I stayed in while working at Meadowview;
I would consider one of my biggest convictions, one that I've always had since a kid constantly going to the Museum of Natural History in NYC, is a love of nature, which has turned, since I've become an adult, into one who is adamant about saving it. I guess that is why when I began my work at Meadowview I felt like I'd found my meaning; "being the change you want to see". I really believe it is one of the most legitimate places on earth where things are going on that really are directly helping CPs "in situ" (very important distinction- to me personally-- the whole point in conservation is to keep these plants "In Habitat"- not just have a record of them through cultivated plants, which is important, but IMHO to a far lesser degree. This is just my opinion.). There's no doubt in my mind about that. Anyway, I'd like to also point out that the reason for this thread is because I found that Meadowview has a sub-board on this forum a couple days ago, and I felt compelled to share the immense meaning of volunteering there-what I write comes out of enthusiasm, which I can only hope will be infectious (it's one of the "good" infections anyway). But just by going down to work with the operation has made me a firm believer that we can still make a difference in this battle, which is fraught already with irreplaceably huge losses of plants and habitat. All's not lost, and I'll be updating this thread regularly with the massive amounts of pics I took, and writings of experiences from my internship. It is hoped that others might find encouragement from my transformation from skepticism of fighting a losing/lost battle, to the hope that we must find in doing what we can, and in our fight, win some security of a future prospect that still includes Sarracenia in the native landscape, and not just labels in pots that say, as a headstone "this plant, once here, now gone". I also hope my enthusiasm will spill onto others in this forum, and perhaps outside of it, and encourage people who live nearby, or don't (I live in Philly, not too close to Fredricksburg, VA) that volunteering is not only a blast (you'll be working with plants that are as rare as they get!) but will support Meadowview's conservation efforts; it's true- you can't be a CP enthusiast without caring about their conservation- believe me- it's much more satisfying doing something in the bigger picture, than before I came, and coveting my individual plants in "my collection" of CPs, which becomes quite petty after seeing the vastness of these Sarr. specimens at Meadowview - ie; BTW, Sarr. "Leah Wilkerson" is not the only Sarr. with a mouth that looks like it can engulf a cat; some flavas will give it a run for its money, but there'll be more photos later for the skeptics ļ .
Anyway, I think I'm getting too serious-minded in my writing, so I'll take a break, and start adding what the trip was all about in the next days/weeks when I get time. I think I don't have to say, but I'll say anyway; I'll definitely be there this summer!- I don't have much money to contribute, being a broke college student, but I've got time, and in the "Year of the Volunteer"(I think Phil likes the sound of that jingle), time is just as precious- I hear there needs a lot of dividing/repotting; I'm getting my hands ready!!! Maybe some people out there in cyberspace will be helping me break up big Sarr. rhizomes this summer?
More to come soon, best, Nick Haywood, "bluesboy"
