[MPWG] MPWG Digest, Vol 125, Issue 10

Mon Jan 13 10:47:13 CST 2014

The show is being produced by Original Productions out of California - www.origprod.com so it could be that wag is looking at doing a show as well, or maybe they were beat to the punch line hard to say? 

Susan Leopold

On Jan 13, 2014, at 10:17 AM, Robert Layton Beyfuss wrote:

> Hi All
> A couple of months ago I was contacted by the producers of this show via email and afterwards we spoke on the telephone. Most of you are probably not aware that this is a British Production company and not an American network even. I have copied and pasted the original email below. I spoke with Siobhan at length by phone and discussed the issues regarding ginseng conservation and the need to publicize the legitimate aspects and challenges regarding ginseng. I also referred her to my good friend, Dr Eric Burkhart, who is perhaps the leading researcher regarding the human dimensions aspects of ginseng harvesting. Eric also spent a good deal  of time talking with her with the same concerns that I expressed regarding sensationalizing the  issue. Nevertheless, if you click on their website, you will see that this production company’s forte is precisely what they ended up putting on TV.   I don’t know how they found the characters for the show, but someone must have referred them. I certainly did not want to be affiliated at all with such an approach but I cannot say I am surprised at what resulted.  
> Bob
> Hi Bob,
>  
> My company is called Wag TV, a television production company based in London. We are developing a show about ginseng and it would be great to speak to you regarding your role in the ginseng industry and talk to you further about our project.
>  
> Please let me know what time best suits to call and what number is best to get you on. Hope to speak soon.
> Best,
> Siobhan.
> Wag TV is one of Britain’s top TV production companies, we produce a wide range of high-quality, high-rating returnable series for many of the world’s major broadcasters including Discovery Channel, National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Travel Channel, Science and The Weather Channel. To read more about WAG and see clips from some of our shows, visit our website at www.wagtv.com.  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of DANIKA SETARO
> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 9:43 AM
> To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
> Subject: Re: [MPWG] MPWG Digest, Vol 125, Issue 10
>  
> I am personally unfamiliar with the identification of the plants in question but this is very concerning to me. Has anyone who has watched the show and is knowledgable about the species concerned actually contacted the network or the producers of the show in order to make sure that they know that the plant identifications that they are showing are incorrect and might be a danger to the public? Or to ask that they also include a viewpoint from the conservation side of it to explain why the "poaching" of plants is such a problem. Maybe it could be used as a way to get the word out about how important plant conservation is? Maybe there is a way to post reviews or ratings about the show and to include our concerns in the comments? This definitely sounds like a problem so I'm trying to come up with some actions that people can take in order to improve the situation.
>  
> 
> On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM, Michael Schenk <schenkmj at earthlink.net> wrote:
> As a lot of people on this list have stressed in the past, I should hesitate to use the label "poaching" for traditional diggers. But if they're showing people digging 2-prongers and plants with green berries, that's just plain illegal.
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> >
> >
> >Today's Topics:
> >
> >   1. Re: ginseng poaching program (Roy Upton)
> >
> >
> >----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >Message: 1
> >Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 13:46:59 -0800
> >From: Roy Upton <herbal at got.net>
> >To: Jeanine Davis <Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu>
> 
> >Very sobering. Like the fishermen in Cape Cod. No regard for the future, for the land, or for anything other than an instant buck. Very sad.?Roy
> >
> >
> >On Jan 10, 2014, at 7:59 AM, Jeanine Davis wrote:
> >
> >> This is all so frustrating. And it is discouraging forest landowners from planting wild-simulated ginseng because they are afraid with all this publicity it is in even greater danger of being poached. Jeanine
> >>
> >> Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D.
> >> Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
> >> Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University
> >> Email: Jeanine_Davis at ncsu.edu
> >> Websites:  http://ncherb.org  http://ncspecialtycrops.org http://ncorganic.org
> >> Blog:  http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com
> >> Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU
> >> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228
> >> Address: Mtn. Hort. Crops Research & Extension Center
> >> 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
> >> Phone:  828-684-3562   FAX:  828-684-8715
> >>
> >> From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Susan Leopold
> >> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:47 AM
> >> To: ForestRuss at aol.com
> >> Cc: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
> >> Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
> >>
> >> Thank you Russ for pointing out the information of wrong identification, which sets the stage for the show and possibly more of its kind in the works. I personally think it is horrific to have a ginseng show that glorifies poaching and all the illegal activity that took place in this show to continue with no consequences.  If is was a show about poaching a protected animal I wonder how the public would react?
> >>
> >> I think this quote from the main ginseng dealers sums up how plants are perceived.. see quote and link below.
> >>
> >> UpS has released a formal press release warning the History Channel about the dangers of promoting poaching of a threatened species...
> >>
> >>  "its a protected species, but I don't know why. Its a plant'
> >> http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1956140531/New-reality-show-focuses-on-state-ginseng-business
> >> http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/12/25/new-reality-show-focuses-on-west-virginia-ginseng-business/
> >>
> >> On Jan 10, 2014, at 10:19 AM, ForestRuss at aol.com wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> MPWG:
> >>
> >> A new program had its debut on History Channel  yesterday 01/09/14 called "Appalachian Outlaws.
> >>
> >> The program appears to be more about the being a ginseng poacher than almost anything else and I am uncertain how it could impact ginseng growers...beyond making theft a thrill game.
> >>
> >> One concern I have as a long time grower of black Cohosh in a forest setting is that one of the poachers already has identified "dolls eye",  Actaea pachypoda, as black Cohosh, a very incorrect ID.  They made a point of showing the fruit and the foliage.
> >>
> >> As a grower of the medicinal black Cohosh plant I think that in 2014 black Cohosh root buyers might have to be more vigilant in vetting their purchases to make sure they aren't getting poison.
> >>
> >> I would appreciate other peoples' thoughts or comments on the program
> >>
> >> Sincerely,
> >>
> >> Russ Richardson, Certified Forester
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >> MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
> >> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org
> >>
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> >>
> >> 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
> >> http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org
> >>
> >> To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to 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.
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 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 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.
> 
> 
>  
> -- 
> Danika Setaro
> Plant Biology M.S. Student
> Arizona State University
> School of Life Sciences
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 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 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.                                                    

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