Denver Botanic Gardens’ Post

#CruisePresenter I will be a guest presenter on the Marella Discovery for their 14-day East Coast Adventure Cruise leaving on October 22, 2023 from Port Canaveral to Nova Scotia and back. Here's the link to this cruise: https://lnkd.in/dKjg439R I will be providing 7 presentations: 1) Oceans: The "Real Lungs" of the World Thank the oceans' plants for the producing up to 80% of the world's oxygen and because they are the basis for the oceanic ecosystems. Coral reefs and other oceanic ecosystems are important for fisheries and more. 2) Flora and fauna of Eastern Canada Explore beyond the iconic maple tree. There's a wide variety of plants and animals both famous and not that grace this beautiful area of the world. 3) Carnivorous plants Learn about how carnivorous plants around the world can survive in nutrient-poor habitats and have adapted to supplement their nutrients by capturing insects and other small creatures. These amazing plants have also solved the problem of attracting some critters to consume and others to pollinate their flowers. 4) Between the land and the sea Explore the shorelines that we see from the ship. Intertidal areas, wetlands, and mangroves protect shorelines and provide important habitat for birds, fish, crustaceans, and more. 5) Traveling plants Examine how plants spread. Over millennia plants have developed various methods of disbursal, but humans have changed these patterns around the world. 6) Public gardens take a walk on the wild side Walk through traditional public gardens and you'll find that they are well-trimmed and orderly. Now explore how, newer public gardens have emphasized untrimmed native plants for attracting pollinators and supporting birds. 7) The nature of Florida and the Everglades Explore Florida with its unique and dynamic ecosystems from the springs in North Florida to the extensive preserves in South Florida. Florida's varied ecosystems provide habitat for an interesting array of plants and animals.

Hawaii’s unique ecosystem has captivated many nature enthusiasts, but one question lingers: are there hummingbirds in Hawaii? Famed for their vibrant colors and rapid wingbeats, hummingbirds are a beloved sight for birdwatchers around the world. However, when it comes to the Hawaiian Islands, these tiny creatures seem to be absent. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this intriguing phenomenon and explore the fascinating avian inhabitants that make Hawaii their home. Key Takeaways: Hummingbirds are not found in Hawaii due to geographical isolation and restrictions on certain species. The absence of hummingbirds has allowed unique pollinators like hummingbird moths and Hawaiian… <a href="" class="" rel="bookmark">Read More »<span class="screen-reader-text"></span></a> Unveiling the Truth: Are There Hummingbirds in Hawaii? - https://lnkd.in/eZfXfh9d

We talk often these days about tipping points, especially if you are part of #projecttippingpoint / (re)Biz. In a fascinating article, the Guardian takes a deep dive into what a tipping point might look like. Often we think of them in terms of dramatic rises in sea-level. Perhaps the closest we have come are the fire seasons in the NW Pacific or in Australia. There are however more discrete tipping points, and one such is Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh's flies were generally seen as a nuisance. Now their sudden disappearance is a startling omen for a lake that supplies 40% of Northern Ireland’s water. +++ Declan Coney, a former eel fisher, knew there was something wrong when the famed swarms of Lough Neagh flies failed to materialize. In past years, they would appear around the Northern Irish lake in thick plumes and “wisps” – sometimes prompting mistaken alarm of a fire incident, Lough Shore residents say. Clothes left out on a washing line “would be covered in them”. So would any windshield on a vehicle travelling around the lough’s 90-mile shoreline. Conservationists marveled at their courtship dances, hovering above treetops. Last spring the flies never arrived. “This is the first year ever that, if you walked up to the Cross of Ardboe or the area around there, you’d find there’s no flies,” Coney says. +++ The absence of flies is one thing. Last summer, a vast “bloom” of blue-green algae – a thick, photosynthesizing blanket that deprives the lake of oxygen, choking aquatic life – brought the lough’s accelerating biodiversity crisis into sharp focus. It prompted considerable public outcry and is expected to return this coming summer. +++ When Ciarán Breen rows out onto Lough Neagh, he expects to find ducks. Thousands of them. Breen has spent about three decades working on this body of water. "We got about 50,000-60,000 diving ducks. [...] These fleets of pochard, scaup, and goldeneye made Lough Neagh an internationally significant site for overwintering birds in the 1980s. In the years since, their numbers have plummeted. A 2013 study found that the number of these winter migratory birds at the lough had dropped nearly 80% in a decade – from 100,000 to fewer than 21,000. +++ Fish. Algae. Insects. Ducks. The impacts are staggering. These are what tipping points look like. You clearly have to live in the region to notice. This article brings together key witnesses, who give us insight into the small changes that one by one add up to very large changes. This should give us all pause to reflect. When she goes, she goes... One of the dramas is clearly "shifting baseline syndrome", in which we get used to the changes, generation by generation. One thing we can do is talk to older relatives, people who have spent their entire lives in a region. Ask them how things are changing. And take note. https://lnkd.in/eR7jdrwn

Did you know? Introducing the Fauna tower! 🌿 Thrilled to share an exciting venture that underscores our commitment to conservation and biodiversity. Meet the Fauna tower - a bespoke combination structure designed to cater to a range of animal species! This Fauna tower is located at the parking in HQ Ghent thanks to Ecovery 👏 Home to Many 🐝 The Fauna tower isn't just a beautiful addition; it's a testament to adaptability. This versatile tower offers shelter to various inhabitants, including house martins, sparrows, starlings, insects, and mammals. A harmonious coexistence reminding us that our world is shared. Tailored Nature 🌼 Each Fauna tower is tailor-made, adapted to species and location. It carefully balances nesting compatibility, ensuring species can thrive without impeding one another. The outcome? A dynamic tower offering opportunities to a diverse array of life forms. Optimal Living Conditions 🌞 The tower's top can serve as a swallow roost, while colony breeders like sparrows and starlings find their niches below. Bat boxes are thoughtfully positioned for optimal temperatures, and insect hotels adorn the lower sections, with room for hedgehogs and mice. In celebrating this Fauna tower, we celebrate the richness of our environment. We, at van Cronenburg want to invest in projects that nurture our planet for all beings. #biodiversity #innovation #engagement

Did you know that the giant anteater depends on the cooling shade of forests for their survival? 🌳 These remarkable creatures face a unique challenge. Due to their exceptionally slow metabolisms, giant anteaters aren't as efficient at regulating their body temperature as other mammals. With habitat loss and harmful agricultural practices, around one-third of their populations have disappeared over the last decade, leaving them critically endangered. We're working to change this, with our incredible partner IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas in Brazil. The Pontal project focuses on the Interior Atlantic Forest, which is currently helping regenerate 188 species, including giant anteaters. By restoring the connections between the Morro do Diabo State Park – the second largest Protected Area in the region – and surrounding forest fragments, we're creating more room for endangered species like the giant anteater to thrive again. We already know they’re coming back! We have been lucky enough to spot these vulnerable creatures in the forests we're restoring, which means our efforts are building safer, more sustainable habitats for them and aiding their recovery. Join us at WeForest as we strive to conserve these extraordinary creatures and their habitats. Together, we're making Earth not just a cooler place, but also a home for our diverse wildlife 🌍: https://bit.ly/3rRHHUt #brazil #atlanticforest #trees #forest #nature #generationrestoration #makingearthcooler #giantanteater

Happy International Day of Forests to all of our woodland companions! 🐿 🌲To celebrate, here are some interesting facts about forests that might surprise you: - The species of tree in the Amazon known as Socratea exorrhiza has the ability to walk. This tree can move towards sunlight a few centimetres annually, by sprouting new roots and shedding old ones. - A healthy 100-foot-tall tree can boast around 200,000 leaves, and in just a single growing season, can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and release it into the air again as purified oxygen and water vapor. - Forests are biodiversity powerhouses, housing over 80% of the world's terrestrial species, and are essential for ecosystem balance. - Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, there's a fascinating creature known as the pink river dolphin or "boto", which can turn its head a full 180 degrees 🤯🐬 I hope this International Day of Forests we can all take a moment to cherish our leafy friends and the vast biodiversity of forest wildlife. And remember, as Bob Ross once said: 'There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.' 🌳👫

Exploring the Wonders of Brazil's Atlantic Forest Hey there, nature enthusiasts! 🌿📸 We're thrilled to share footage from our camera trap project in Brazil's Atlantic Forest! In this clip, we captured a moment featuring a capybara – the world's largest rodent! Known for their friendly and laid-back nature, capybaras are often spotted in South America's lush ecosystems. They're the gentle giants of the animal kingdom! Our camera trap allowed us to observe these capybaras in their natural habitat, showcasing their nocturnal movements. They are back in this part of Brazil thanks to our partner's efforts to reintroduce them into the wild. It's a true testament to the impact of restoring forests. Three intriguing facts about capybaras: 1️⃣ Capybaras are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for up to five minutes! 2️⃣ They have a unique social structure, living in groups often referred to as "herds." 3️⃣ Capybaras are known to form symbiotic relationships with various other species, acting as hosts for birds that feed on parasites. #CapybaraChronicles #WildlifeWednesday #AtlanticForestAdventures #NatureAtItsFinest #BrazilianWildlife #CameraTrapMagic #ConservationMatters #Biodiversity #NatureLovers #DiscoverBrazil #WildlifePhotography #NatureCapture #HiddenTreasures #ProtectOurPlanet #NatureConservation #WildBrazil #EcoWarriors #CapybaraFamily #RainforestLife #NaturalWonders #EnvironmentalProtection #AdmireAndPreserve #IntoTheWild #savingnature #ExploreWithUs

A #rewilding boost helps bring more than two turtle doves this Christmas 🕊️ The fact that our iconic Christmas bird is the UK's fastest declining bird species should be the wake up call we all need ⏰ This December, JNCC Official Statistics reported they’ve declined by 97% since 1994. Their loss symbolises the catastrophic decline of nature across Britain, fuelled by intensive land-use and habitat loss. Turtle doves, like many other species, nest in scrub, feed on natural weeds and wildflower seeds, and rely on fresh sources of water. And when this rich, ‘messy’ mosaic of habitats comes back, so do turtle doves and biodiversity in abundance, as Knepp Wildlands discovered.  Knepp Wildlands, once intensively managed farmland with no turtle doves, is now home to one of the largest populations of nesting doves in England. Knepp’s now a breeding hotspot for many other endangered species too. Instead of aiming for a particular goal or the recovery of a single species or habitat, Knepp took rewilding’s big picture approach and helped kickstart natural processes so nature could lead its own recovery. And they’ve shown that when land is given back to nature it will thrive.  As we celebrate the increase in Rewilding Network members this year, we’re hopeful many more projects will embrace rewilding and restore the mix of habitats we need for a wilder 2024, where not just turtle doves recover but the rich variety of life.

Another fascinating ground-dwelling species, the Subdesert Mesite is rarely seen by those not looking for it. They are generally found in small groups, though most often seen singly in defensive posture, frozen in a tree, after being flushed by a local guide. Restricted to less than 200km of spiny subdesert thicket in the Mikea Forest, this species habitat is sadly under pressure from subsistence exploitation for crops, grazing by goats and commercial exploitation for charcoal. The Mikea Forest is unlike any in the world, consisting of many native plant species that are specially adapted to deal with drought, due to the erratic and low levels of rainfall. Home to nine species of lemurs, the highest diversity of lemurs of any forest in the Southwest region of Madagascar. It has incredible ecological traits and is home to some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna. Bird species to look out for in the Mikea Forest include a great selection of Couas, Banded Kestrel, Sickle-billed Vanga, Long-tailed Ground Roller and many more! Follow this LINK for more information.⁠ https://lnkd.in/dQSW-kjk #BirdingDirect #nuts_about_birds #best_birds_of_ig #bestbirdshots #1birdshot #raw_birds #nature_worldwide_birds #your_best_birds #natgeowild #birdphotography #birdconservation #birders #birdwatchers #ecotourism #sustainabletourism #ecotravel #responsibletravel #birdwatching #naturelovers #birdlife

#WorldMigratoryBirdDay | Right now, billions of birds are embarking on remarkable journeys between vastly different worlds. Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds in the Americas are leaving their homes in Central and South America, heading north to breed in North America. Imagine a Wood Thrush, starting its journey in Guatemala’s tropical Selva Maya where it has spent the last 6-8 months, and arriving in the cool forests of New York. These migratory journeys are not just amazing feats of endurance but also perilous ones. Along the way, birds face numerous threats like habitat loss, pesticide pollution, building collisions, and hunting. On World Migratory Bird Day, we celebrate the awe-inspiring arrival of billions of birds, representing hundreds of species. Birds captivate us with their familiar songs and vibrant plumage, while also playing a vital role in healthy ecosystems. They disperse seeds and pollinate plants, control insect populations, and help prevent disease through scavenging. Birds also boost local economies through ecotourism, sustainable hunting, and birdwatching. At WCS Mesoamerica, we reaffirm our commitment to protect migratory birds and their habitats. We will continue to safeguard forests, wetlands, and coastal mangroves, restore lost habitats, and strengthen local research and monitoring efforts to deepen our understanding of the fascinating lives and journeys of our shared birds.