[MPWG] ginseng in the news

Sat Sep 7 06:53:28 CDT 2013

Hi All

Poaching is the illegal harvest of a natural resource, whether it is ginseng, Galax, yellow root, or deer for that matter. The natural resource is not the property of an individual unless that individual planted it. Stealing is the deliberate taking of someone else's private property. People who are growing ginseng on their land are subject to theft, not poaching. I wish ginseng growers would stop saying that they have been "poached" when in fact they have been robbed. Poaching evokes an "aw shucks, them rednecks are at it again" response from many authorities. Grand theft or larceny does not evoke the same response. Ginseng stewards sometimes poach the plant, but for good reasons. When regulators decide that September 1 is when ginseng should be harvested, they are making an arbitrary decision that is based on average berry ripening dates. No plant pays attention to regulations. Berries ripen when it is time for them to ripen, not when someone says they should be ripe. A responsible ginseng steward will harvest when berries are ripe and replant them. Sometimes this makes him or her a poacher if that date is August 15th and the season opens September 1.

Preserving the genetic integrity of wild populations is a worthy goal, but I believe that few, truly wild, populations exist. Michael Mc Guffin is correct when he says that the influx of "cultivated" genotypes into forest ecosystems is widespread and it has been that way for over a century. Some states, such as my own (NY), prohibit the harvest of seeds from "wild" populations thus making preservation of local gene pools impossible. NY requires replanting the seed within 50 feet of the harvested root. Exotic slugs are widespread in NY forests and they may completely prohibit ginseng regeneration, while allowing mature plants to survive their predation. Taking seeds from slug infested areas and replanting them in areas that are not slug infested is illegal. if there must be a regulation why not it state that "Ginseng may only be harvested when the berries are red". Is that so hard to comprehend? How to enforce? Harvesters with ginseng in their pack must also have red berries with them.  No digger could have ripe berries in May or June.

Enforcement of any of the current regulations is almost impossible anyway, as has been well documented. We cannot post police officers in every Hollow in Appalachia. The forest ranger in this video made that point.

We need to recognize that ginseng can be an agricultural entity in suitable forested land, as well as a valued natural resource. When that happens, the harvest pressure on natural populations on public land will be reduced.

Bob

________________________________
From: Jeanine Davis [Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu]
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 3:03 PM
To: Robert Layton Beyfuss
Cc: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org; moonbranch at earthlink.net; Frank T. Adams; Jessica Bernier; Jeanine Davis
Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng in the news

Bob, there is a difference between most wild harvesters and poachers. Many wild harvesters try to replant and leave plants for the future. Poachers are thieves. They steal from public and private land and they are not concerned about the future. In western NC there is a high influx of outsiders, often working in groups that are poaching ginseng, galax, ramps and moss. Poachers are a major reason why wild simulated ginseng growers give up in our region.

I agree with most else in your letter. Thank you for writing it but please consider distinguishing between a wild harvester and a poacher.

Jeanine

Jeanine Davis, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist
Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University
website: ncherb.org<http://ncherb.org>
Sent from my Droid

On Sep 6, 2013 1:55 PM, "Robert Layton Beyfuss" <rlb14 at cornell.edu<mailto:rlb14 at cornell.edu>> wrote:

Hi All

I have attached a letter that I am considering sending to CBS about their "news" story. I don't mean to glorify poachers at all, but there is a difference between poaching and stealing.

Bob

________________________________
From: MPWG [mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org>] on behalf of MoonBranch Botanicals [moonbranch at earthlink.net<mailto:moonbranch at earthlink.net>]
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 12:53 PM
To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>
Cc: Jessica Bernier; Frank T. Adams
Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng in the news

Where to start…

For sure, as in many contemporary issues, this “situation” is what happens when a complex and multi-faceted issues meets a 30 second sound/video bite passed off as “news” by the MSM. Unfortunately (and perhaps striking more closely to “the root” of the problem) a 30 second allotment meets the expected attention span of most of their viewers, so I can’t put all the blame on the media I suppose.

That said, UPS shares a most valid concern with all, or at least most of us in this community. While plants in general do not elicit the same “warm and fuzzy” feeling in the so-called environmental community as do the “charismatic mega-fauna” like the bald eagle or perhaps the timber wolf, American ginseng is perhaps our best candidate in terms of reaching “charismatic mega-flora” status. Now if we could just all focus on how best to use that status to sustain it in the wild.

Once again, I find myself beating on the “policy does not work” drum. Unfortunately, policy as a management tool is all our bureaucrats and technocrats understand. The use of force and the threat of use of force is not only undesirable in terms of effecting long term change, it is costly, ineffective and unsustainable. Consider for a moment the failed “war on drugs”, Prohibition, and the illegality of prostitution as a few prime examples for comparison here. In all cases the negative fallout from “unintended consequences” were and are far worse than the social ills that the policies were put in place to remedy. The prevailing prohibition policy thinking in our society never solves any problems or social ill, it only serves as a mechanism in forcing them to retreat to the shadowy recesses of societal fringes where they “metastasize” and get really, really ugly. Too bad that only treating the symptoms of our problems is the order of our day.

I believe Thoreau got it right in this, as he did with most things, when he stated: “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” I for one believe it is high time to do some root cause analysis here. Is that too much to ask? Or is it, as an approach, too grounded in logic, common sense, and realism to be considered? OR, perhaps is there here, as in many areas, another agenda at play? I have to ask…

Perhaps it is simply just too profitable for some of our “leaders” to resist supplying state, federal, and local governments with tax dollars for armored personnel carriers, guns, ammo, night vision, GPS units, body armor, uniforms, and on and on in the name of protecting the Natural World from us, along with us from each other. Is it, much as in the warning contained in President Eisenhower’s farewell address regarding a then newly emerging “military-industrial complex”, that poachers and poaching are just another point of profit for the state and their corporate minions feeding a very well documented “prison/judicial industrial complex”? Has “corporatism” (fascism really) so engulfed the political system of our Nation that policy is enacted with expectation for profit and not much else? I have to ask as I see no other reason for the insane continuation of such a short-sighted and ineffective way to affect change and steer human behavior.

There are many productive ways to address this and many issues of our time. All of them require the establishment of an open dialogue and active participation of ALL stakeholders. This is, and will continue to be the only way to safeguard our future, the future of American ginseng along with a broader total bio-diversity, and indeed our planet.

In closing, pragmatism forces me to touch briefly on the subject of cultivation. By “cultivation” I am referring to the intentional growing of ginseng (or anything really) in a landscape or scenario greatly altered to maximize the production of one, or perhaps just a few species. While I do believe that cultivation in the narrow sense as just stated has its place, it is not the answer. Consider this on your next visit to the zoo of your choosing. Is relegating the plants of the world to some carefully controlled, yet contrived existence really your vision for our future? Of what is sustainable?

If not, then let us join forces through a voluntary marketplace to build value, both economic and abstract, for all life, before we reach a point where we cannot or perhaps will not be “allowed” to turn this ship around.

Respectfully submitted for due consideration and with the most benevolent of intents,
Robin

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Donohue
Sent: Sep 5, 2013 8:28 PM
To: Jeanine Davis
Cc: mpwg
Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng in the news

Absolutely.

That would be great. I regret I'm not in the role I once was, but this issue is still dear to my heart.

A meeting of the minds, and forging of common strategies and efforts could be a great thing in both stewarding 'sang in the wild and supporting lifeways of the responsible ginseng stewards and harvesters out there.

C

On 9/5/2013 8:23 PM, Jeanine Davis wrote:

On an open forum all I am willing to say is that I am not amused and this story could have been more accurate and hopeful. We do need to brainstorm on strategies to reduce poaching to conserve wild populations and encourage more wild simulated production.  I have some ideas, that are built on consumer demand and pressure.

Jeanine

Jeanine Davis, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist
Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University
website: ncherb.org<http://ncherb.org>
Sent from my Droid

On Sep 5, 2013 7:46 PM, "Michael McGuffin" <MMcguffin at ahpa.org<mailto:MMcguffin at ahpa.org>> wrote:
Hello Colin,
I could not agree with you more that the information presented by Robert Eidus was unfortunate, at best. But Susan Leopold was exactly correct in calling attention to the very limited resources that are applied to plant conservation. This was an important message, and an appropriate message from United Plant Savers.

Michael

Michael McGuffin
President
American Herbal Products Association | www.ahpa.org<http://www.ahpa.org/>
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 918 | Silver Spring | MD | 20910
MD Phone: 301.588.1171<tel:301.588.1171> x201
CA Phone: 310.745.8401<tel:310.745.8401>

30+ years of working for you!

From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org>] On Behalf Of Colin Donohue
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 3:02 PM
To: Susan Leopold
Cc: mpwg
Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng in the news

This is great, other than being wrong.

I'm amused to see Robert Eidus as the spokesperson for the survivability of Ginseng. It will be gone in 10-20 years?   That's idiotic.

I'm sure Mr. Eidus didn't mean what he was cast as saying on the clip, but it's still incorrect information.

I'm very disappointed to see UPS trumpeting this incorrect and sensationalized clip.

Yes, there are issues with ginseng harvest, and I'd be the first to shout from the mountaintop that poaching is a real issue that needs attention, and that more resources should go into plant conservation. But putting incorrect information out to spur public concern is disingenuous.

Colin

On 9/5/2013 5:15 PM, Susan Leopold wrote:
United Plant Savers has started a change.org<http://change.org> letter to bring awareness to our members and the public and to show various agencies that the public cares and supports ginseng conservation efforts....

Below is a link to the CBS story and to our change.org<http://change.org> letter, also you can go to the UpS website www.unitedplantsavers.org<http://www.unitedplantsavers.org> for links to several recent news articles and ginseng recently published research.

Please join this campaign: http://chn.ge/15Eon5H

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57601454/ginseng-poaching-threatens-survival-of-plant-species/

Susan Leopold, PhD
Executive Director, UpS
703-667-0208<tel:703-667-0208>
susan at unitedplantsavers.org<mailto:susan at unitedplantsavers.org>

_______________________________________________

PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group mailing list

MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>

http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org> with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Disclaimer

Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation Alliance.

_______________________________________________
PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group mailing list
MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>
http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org> with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Disclaimer
Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation Alliance.

Robin Alton Suggs
MoonBranch Botanicals
5294 Yellow Creek Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
USA

Telephone: 828.479.2788<tel:828.479.2788>
Email: moonbranch at earthlink.net<mailto:moonbranch at earthlink.net>
Websites:
www.moonbranch.com<http://www.moonbranch.com>  &  www.localharvest.org/store/M16074<http://www.localharvest.org/store/M16074>

Member:
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm Partner
Green Products Alliance
North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines
North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS
United Plant Savers

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. - Henry David Thoreau

_______________________________________________
PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group mailing list
MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>
http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.org> with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Disclaimer
Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation Alliance.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20130907/825e061e/attachment.html>