FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It is always beautiful here at the Gardens. The rains arrived on June 29th, and the storms came in regular intervals with showers of life-giving water. We received almost 5 feet of rainfall this year! The weather has changed dramatically again, and it is once again cool here. The garden is growing before our very eyes! Growing too, are the weeds, which our dedicated horticultural staff is engaged in removing for hours on end.


We have been busy planting our winter display gardens with a variety of cool weather flowers. During the rainy season, the highway to the gardens was closed twice at Las Juntas y Los Veranos, due to landslides between Boca de Tomatlan and the Gardens. In the typical local dramatic fashion, the landslide removal operation involved highway maintenance crews, large machinery, local police and army, and many curious on-lookers. Finally, our link with the outside world was re-established.

With Vallarta's 'High Season" fast approaching, we've already welcomed many returning members and new visitors who have expressed overwhelming praise for our efforts. Thank you all for being a part of making Puerto Vallarta a better place for visitors and residents alike. Like many other great cities of the world which enjoy and appreciate their botanical institutions, together we can strive to create gardens that are truly special for our community, and for the world at large.

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens were closed from August to October (we re-opened on October 2) for maintenance and upgrades. During this time, some incredible changes happened. Notably, after a long year of work and preparation, we are now officially registered with the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means that all memberships and donations are now fully tax deductible in the United States. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are also registered in Mexico as a non profit, or Associacion Civil, (A.C.) as it is called in Mexico.

As you may know, during its creation and development, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens received no government funding. Even now it is supported by its members and private donors. As with most botanical gardens, fund raising is a large part of our job here, in addition to the important horticulture, research, and educational work we do to fulfill our mission. We rely on your memberships and donations to continue important work in conservation and education, to expand collections, improve infrastructure, and make new discoveries. (See "Late Breaking News" below).

Botanical gardens world-wide have a long and proud tradition of environmental conservation, and have helped over the last decades to bring the problems of climate and biodiversity preservation to the forefront. We are registered members of Botanical Gardens Conservation International, www.bgci.org, the American Orchid Society, American Rhododendron Society, and the Associacion Mexicana de Orquideologia. We proudly join forces with these organizations to bring a greater awareness of conservation to our world in general and to our state of Jalisco in particular.

My best regards,
Robert
http://www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org

WHAT IS NEW IN THE GARDEN?

Garden Opening and New Plantings
The Gardens opened for the season October 2, 2007, and two months later we are in "full swing". Some of our projects during the "rainy" season included: weeding, erosion management, trail upgrades, new plantings and the completion of the new Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla garden. Returning guests say "the gardens are more glorious with each passing year"! The Tree Fern Grotto Walk continues to be a visitor favorite. We have 30 plants with 5 species in the collection.

We have also propagated, from acorns, over 500 native oak trees to reforest the former cow pastures surrounding the gardens. Wild flowers have been sown and are sprouting. December promises to be a month of boundless color!

Fee Changes

Our general admission fee for adults is $30 pesos per person, with kids under 12 free. Regular / Senior / Sustaining / Corporate Members are entitled to two unlimited admissions for each membership to the gardens. Family Members are entitled to four unlimited admissions to the gardens. Members arriving with guests are asked to pay the $30 pesos per person, for the guests, at the front entrance Welcome Center

Outreach
We are really excited about our plans for the current year. While closed for two months during the "rainy" season, we persevered through rain and landslides, and made many new friends and professional contacts around Puerto Vallarta. As a result of our marketing and networking efforts, local tour companies and the Vallarta tourist officials are now more aware of our Gardens. They have expressed not only excitement about sending visitors here, but appreciation for all our hard work as well.

Research
We wrote five research and trails grants this summer and will learn the outcome of some proposals in December. Thank you to Dee Daneri, Michelle Zjhra and Ellen Zagory for supporting our Development Director Cody Sontag with those major tasks!

Research partners from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and Georgia Southern University will be collaborating with us for our 2008 plant research projects.

New Menu
A new menu in the Plantation House is sure to please our guests. There
are many new and exciting dishes and drinks. The menu will be soon
posted on our website at www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org

COME WATCH US GROW!

"If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need". Marcus Cicero 106-43 B.C.

Orchid photo: Sobralia decora - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

LATE BREAKING NEWS

"GARDEN AMIGO" TILE PROJECT

A fun and beautiful fund raising project has been started at the Gardens. Donors can purchase colorful 12 x 12 inch Mexican tiles, which would then be painted with a name, important cause, business name, short phrase or a memorial or tribute. The tiles will be laid to cover the floor of the Plantation House Visitor's Center. Tiles are $100, and can be purchased at the Gardens, or by sending a check to the administrator of Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C. c/o:

Dee Daneri, Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C, 11 Pinecrest Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540.

Please make your tax deductible check payable to: Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C.

To order our personalized Garden Amigo tile, email: Executive Director, Robert Price at bobinpvmex@yahoo.com.

BIRDS, HIKES AND PICTOGRAPHS

Vallarta Botanical Gardens has expanded its program of activities to include hiking and bird watching in an adjoining 100 hectare private forest reserve. Private guided tours are available for groups or individuals. The cost is $85 USD per person and includes your guide and a gourmet box lunch. You will see many species of birds, amazing scenery, mountain vistas and streams, as well as Indian pictographs. Horseback riding is also available.

Photo: Mexican Hermit Hummingbird - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

YEARLY MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE

Thank you again to our members who joined the Gardens in our first
membership drive last season. It is time to renew memberships, and
whether you are near or far, we have easy ways to do that.


Which membership is right for me?

Student Membership - $15 US/year

Unlimited admission to visit and study

Regular Membership - $100 US/year

Full membership privileges for two unlimited free admissions to the gardens.
Your name in our internet newsletter, “The Leaflet”.
Free admission to special exhibits.
Free gift upon joining.
Invitation to members-only events including:
“Noches de las Luminarias”
(Our high season members-only party)

“Members Only” Parking (as available)

10% discounts on restaurant, gift shop, and our exclusive line of statuary (private parties excluded).
Children under 12 - free with member

Senior Membership - $80 US/year
All of the privileges of a regular member

Family Membership - $175 US/year

All privileges of the above for FOUR,
PLUS two extra one-day guest passes.

Sustaining Membership –$300/year

Same as Regular Membership
PLUS two extra one-day guest passes
A native tree planted at the garden in your name – part of the reforestation project.

Corporate Membership - $500/year

Same as Regular Membership
PLUS free ad in our quarterly internet newsletter, “The Leaflet”.
Your logo as a corporate sponsor at the Welcome Center at the entrance to the Gardens

Your memberships are the foundation of these beautiful gardens. We thank you for joining to help make YOUR Gardens grow!

Please send your check to Friends of VBG, 11 Pinecrest Drive,Fortuna, CA 95540 U.S.A.

Within Mexico send to Vallarta Botanical Gardens A.C., Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio #2180, Local 7 y 8, Zona Hotelera Norte, Suite 148, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico 48333

Questions? Please contact Mary Hess, Membership Services, at membership@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org

Orchid Photo: Brassavola cucullata - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - FRIENDS OF VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS A.C.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - FRIENDS OF VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS A.C.

Robert Benjamin Price - President and Founder of Vallarta Botanical Gardens A.C., Executive Director

Elizabeth Ann Price - Founder


Kim Roberts - Secretary, Funding and Garden Advocate

Dr. Nancy Morin -Treasurer, Editor of Flora of North America, Author; Botanic Garden Adviser

Dr. George Argent - World Expert in Vireya Rhododendrons and Tropical Plants, Author, Curator of Edinburgh Botanical Gardens (Retired), Tropical Plant Expert and Garden Adviser

Deanna "Dee" Daneri - Ericaceous Plants, Executive Director (retired), American Rhododendron Society, acting Friends administrator; management of donations and dispersal, accounting liaison Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Ken Godin - National Sales Director of Flight Design USA; Godin Marketing Group, Funding and Garden Advocacy

Pam Grissom - Philanthropist and Funding

George and Mary Ellen Holstein - Funding and Garden Advocacy

Robert Kopfstein - Author, International Master Judge,Garden Advocate and Botanical Garden Consultant

Ellen Shmelzer - Public Relations, Garden Advocate

Donna Snow - Marketing and Editorial Liaison for Sauveur and Spa Magazines, Garden Advocacy

Ellen Zagory - Director of Horticulture, U.C. Davis; Funding and Garden Development

Dr. Michele Zjhra - Director, Herbarium, Georgia Southern University, Funding, Garden Development, Grant Consultant; Plant Researcher

Orchid Photo:Encyclia adenocaula - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Pam Grissom - for her support of the Fund Development position

Dee Daneri - for her not-for-profit guidance, administration and friendship

George and Mary Ellen Holstein - for their support and donation to the Cantera Bench campaign

Robert and Kathryn Hardin - for their writing support

Photo: Pictograph - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

SAVE THE DATE - FEBRUARY 21 - NOCHE DE LAS LUMINARIES

Please join us for our second annual Members Appreciation Night- "Noche de Las Luminarias" on February 21, 2008. Live music and great food and an open bar will highlight our celebration of all the wonderful people that make these gorgeous and fun-filled gardens "bloom". This annual event is sure to become a perennial favorite.

Come and let us celebrate YOU for your contribution to the well-being of the Gardens!

Note: This this year's event has been timed to coincide with not only with the full moon but a total lunar eclipse. Therefore we feel we can safely say, that this event will eclipse last years.

This event is open to members and those wishing to become a member that evening.

*The garden will be illuminated with hundreds of luminaria candles.

Orchid photo: Habenaria jaliscana - Vallarta Botanical Gardens

FOCUS ON PLANTS - ANTHURIUM

Anthurium grow in diverse habitats, mostly in the wet tropical mountain forests of Central and South America. They are found growing on rocks as epiphytes, on the ground terrestrially or hanging in rain forests dangling hundreds of feet to the ground. There are some 600 species of this plant and approximately 219 of them are in Mexico and Central America. At the Garden we have grown hundreds of the genus Anthurium andraeanum for replanting in the region, and for garden and Plantation House Visitor Center decoration. These are also sold as cut flowers - you can buy a bouquet any time you visit the gardens.

Those of you that have traveled to Hawaii have seen thousands of Anthurium, but may not know that Anthurium is not native there, nor are they found anywhere in Asia.

"More things grow in the garden than a gardener sows." Spanish proverb

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Friends of Yoga and Birding in Yelapa email addresses were added to this mailing list.
"The Gardens are very meaningful to us and we will devote ourselves to its success. We hope you will enjoy watching it grow as much as we will." Judith Roth and Cody Sontag.

If you have received this newsletter in error, or wish to be taken off our list, you may unsubscribe at the bottom simply by pressing unsubscribe.

For those of you who could not open your Summer Leaflet, the web link is below to see the newsletter on our web site. The newsletter archive is listed on the left side of our web page.

www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org

Orchid Photo: Cattleya aurantica

VOLUNTEERS/WISH LIST

Volunteers:

Why not become a Vallarta Botanical Gardens volunteer today? Volunteers are needed to work the Plantation House Visitors Center, and are provided with lunch. A free membership is also given to volunteers that complete 80 hours of service.

Wish list:

1. You can help by donating air miles from your mileage plan.

2. You can bring, (and be reimbursed), or donate (and receive free admission to the Gardens), a large bag of New Zealand long-strand sphagnum moss when you visit the gardens. We can not buy it in Mexico and it is invaluable for the growth and health of our orchids.

3. Webmaster - we would greatly appreciate and benefit from the help of a person to manage our website and to develop our on line store.

For details contact Cody at (907) 243-3791 or email
funddevelopment@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org.

Orchid Photo: Anacheilium trulla - Vallarta Botanical Garden

CANTERA BENCH DONOR CAMPAIGN

Cantera is a natural stone mined in Mexico. This volcanic, quart-based stone was formed millions of years ago.

The rock is mined, then hand or machine worked into stones, fireplace mantles, swimming pools,benches and many other architectural applications.

These limited-edition benches are available for a $5000 USD donation to the Gardens. They and can be purchased at the Gardens, or by sending your tax deductible donation to:
Dee Daneri, Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C, 11 Pinecrest Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540. Please make your checks out to: Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C.

Each bench can be individualized with tiles that have painted names, messages, memorials or quotes on them. (Our first Bench Donors purchased a bench to honor their two grandchildren). Your donated benches will be placed in beautiful settings within the Gardens.

Please email Robert Price, Executive Director, at bobinpvmex@yahoo.com to order the tiles for your bench.

MACAWS FOREVER

A concerned group of Mexican citizens has formed in order to conserve the population of the endangered Military Macaw (Ara militaris).

This macaw, like most macaws and parrots throughout Central and South American, have been poached and illegally sold, to the point of extinction.

Guacamayas Siempre/Macaws Forever, has joined forces with its American counterparts to establish a date to do a comprehensive status count of the macaw in our area and to begin scientifically-based conservation efforts.Call Robert (011 52 322 223-6182) for meeting time and information.

IN THE NEWS

Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) has acknowledged the Vallarta Botanical Gardens as a registered member that follows BGCI international initiatives and guidelines for plant conservation, environmental awareness and sustainable development.

Look for an article about Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Orchids Magazine, the monthly publication of the American Orchid Society. It will appear in one of their Spring 2008 issues.

Continental Airlines will feature our gardens in their in-flight magazine Continental in winter 2008. Thank you to Robert and Kathryn Hardin for their submission.

We were informed today that Vallarta Botanical Gardens will be featured in a television segment produced by Chicago TV, channel 25. This program will air in Latin America and Illinois.The program is titled Nuestra Gente en Todo.