Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In the heart of the mountains of Jalisco, an unprecedented conservation project is beginning, thanks to the collaboration between the Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) and the Bartlett Tree Research Labs and Arboretum (BTRLA). With the financial support of the ArbNet-BGCI partnership, this project has embarked on a crucial mission: the search and collection of acorns from two species of oaks endangered by fires, deforestation and climate change: Quercus cualensis and Q. tuitensis.
The first expedition for this project took place on August 23-24 and was a historic moment full of excitement and hope. The team, led by Jesús Reyes, director of the VBG with the key participation of Adam Black, specialist at the BTRLA, managed to locate the populations of Q. tuitensis, although only two trees with acorns in formation were found. In addition, the expedition was successful in collecting acorns from Q. cualensis, a vital step to ensure the ex situ propagation of the species.
This project is an example of the importance of generating international scientific collaboration to make the world aware of the conservation efforts being carried out in Mexico. The acorns collected will be planted and cared for at the VBG with the vision of sharing the plants with other botanical gardens and they are even considering promoting their reproduction in school nurseries with the help of researcher Maribel Arenas from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, who has been researching these populations for years.
The VBG team is prepared for the next expedition, and hope that in the future they will be able to see these populations safeguarded by the local community in their natural habitat and free from the shadow of extinction.
Visit the internationally famous Vallarta Botanical Garden located just 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200 and easily accessible by public transportation and taxi. This 74 acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden have something fun for everyone. Over 200 species of birds have been observed on the Garden’s grounds. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the jungle river. See plantings of vanilla, chocolate, and hundreds of other botanical delights! Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served in the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant from 10 am to 5 pm. The Garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays from April 1 to December 1). Garden admission is just $300 pesos. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.