World-Renowned Scientists Gather for Ethobotany Presentation on Kaua'i

Free Public Event Culminates Ethnobotany Summit

Kalaheo, Kaua'i, HI USA (January 18, 2007) - The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is pleased to offer a rare opportunity to join six scientists from all over the world for an in-depth look at how plants are used by various cultures throughout the Pacific islands, Pohnpei, Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. "An Evening with Ethnobotanists" will feature six exceptional scientists in a free public presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, in the cafeteria at Kaua'i Community College.

Moderated by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, who has spent much of his lifetime research with indigenous tribes in the Amazon, the presentation will feature such world-renowned scientists as Dr. Michael Balick of the Institute for Economic Botany of New York Botanical Garden, co-author of Plants, People, and Culture; Dr. Randy Thaman of University of the South Pacific in Fiji, co-author of "Pacific Island Agroforestry: Systems for Sustainability"; Dr. Bradley Bennett of Florida International University, author of "An Introduction to the Ethnobotany of the Seminoles of Florida"; and Drs. Robert Bye and Edelmira Linares of the National University of Mexico, co-authors of "Medicinal Plants in Mexico."

Presentation topics will cover "Pacific Ethnobotany," "Ethnobotanical Projects in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia," "Ethnobotany of Florida and the Caribbean" and "Ethnobotany in Mexico."

For years, indigenous cultures have depended on plants for their very existence, becoming experts in their diverse and valuable applications such as medicinal uses, language and native culinary dishes. Additionally, many cultures developed sound conservation practices embedded in a holistic approach to using their land, water, plant and animal resources in ways that led to sustainability. Scientists and conservationists working in the tropics today recognize the value of this knowledge. "The traditional use of plants is fundamental to human survival," stated Dr. Diane Ragone, one of NTBG's staff ethnobotanists and the director of its Breadfruit Institute. "These scientists are working with indigenous people to document and help preserve cultural knowledge, as well as the plants."

Wednesday's public offering is the final event of a three-day "Ethnobotany Summit" that is being hosted by NTBG at its Kaua'i gardens. More than 25 ethnobotanists, researchers, and local cultural practitioners are joining together with NTBG's experts to discuss global ethnobotanical hotspots, indigenous perspectives of ethnobotany and the role botanical gardens and universities should play in ethnobotany, including developing leaders in this field. The gathering will feature experts from leading institutions and associations in tropical botany and in ethnobotany in general, including the Smithsonian Institution, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, University of the South Pacific-Fiji, The New York Botanical Garden, the University of Hawai'i, Society for Economic Botany, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, the Eden Project, Centre for International Ethnomedicinal Education and Research, Duke University, the University of Florida, Florida International University, Missouri Botanical Garden, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, University of Wisconsin, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan, and the College of Charleston.

Federally chartered by Congress in 1964 as a non-profit organization, NTBG is comprised of a network of gardens and preserves, including McBryde Garden, Allerton Garden, and Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the island of Kaua'i; Kahanu Garden on Maui; The Kampong in Florida; and three preserves on the Big Island of Hawai'i. With nearly 1,800 acres encompassing various tropical ecosystems, extensive living collections of endangered or at-risk species, and precious cultural and historical features, NTBG plays an important role in the complex web of life. For more information, call (808) 332-7324 or visit http://calendar.ntbg.org.

Media Contact
Caroline Witherspoon or Danielle Douglass
Becker Communications, Inc. (808) 533-4165

Event Contact
Phyllis Somers
NTBG Education Department, (808) 332-7324, ext. 250