[APWG] invasive species in theme parks

[james.popham at littlerock.af.mil]

I agree with Steve.  This is a good area to try to change some thinking and
practices.  Good luck Steve.
 
 

James T. Popham
Natural Resources Manager
(501) 987-3681 DSN 731 Cell (501) 425-9072
FAX (501) 987-8327 

-----Original Message-----
From: APWG-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:APWG-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of
SteveYoung at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 5:51 PM
To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: Re: [APWG] invasive species in theme parks



I work in the biggest theme park in the world - the Washington, D.C. federal
complex. I think there are great opportunities to demonstrate greater
leadership, as well as comply with the Executive Order on invasive species,
by moving to use only native plants and very carefully selected,
non-invasive exotics for the landscaping of DC's federal buildings. The
regular theme parks present similar opportunities to educate more people.
 
My early impression is that it will take a critical mass of persistent
people contacting a lot of leaders to make anything happen. I am trying to
take the baby step of opening a dialog with my own agency's people and the
General Services Administration, the landlord of most non-military federal
buildings. So far it looks like it will be a long row to hoe. Cheers,
 
        Steve Young
 
 
In a message dated 6/14/05 11:53:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov writes:




Here's a high profile way to focus on invasive problems - getting theme
parks to think native!

I came across the following article as I was doing research on the invasive
Australian tree fern, Cyathea cooperi.  I was floored by the plethora of
invasive species or relatives of invasives described in "Dino Island."  The
park is lauded as a botanical garden ("the best one in San Diego"!).  More
correctly, it appears to be a botanic garden to showcase invasives!  I'm
not certain when this piece was published, but are there any efforts to
conduct outreach with public fora such as this?

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/4631

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legoland: A Theme Park for Landscape Architects

By Leslie McGuire, regional editor

 

   The entrance to Dino Island is lush with giant lily turf (Lirope [sic]
gigantean), Australian   
tree fern (Cyathea cooperi) and leopard plant (Ligularia tussilaginea) with
an under planting of  
  Berkeley sedge (Carex tumicola) and Myers asparagus (Asparagus
densiflorus'Myers'). A difficult  
  issue with recycled water was that using traditional sprays meant that
salts would build up on   
     the models. As it is, the models have to be continuously replaced
because of sun damage.      
 

 

Legoland, and its recently opened new attraction, Dino Island, may be fun
for kids, but it's      
actually a theme park for landscape architects. True it has games, rides,
interactive learning    
opportunities and everything children love, however it's really a botanical
garden-a park within  
a park-and the best one in San Diego.

 

 

 





Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

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