<div dir="ltr">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.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM, Michael Schenk <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:schenkmj@earthlink.net" target="_blank">schenkmj@earthlink.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">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.<br>
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Mike<br>
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>Today's Topics:<br>
><br>
> 1. Re: ginseng poaching program (Roy Upton)<br>
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>----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
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>Message: 1<br>
>Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 13:46:59 -0800<br>
>From: Roy Upton <<a href="mailto:herbal@got.net">herbal@got.net</a>><br>
>To: Jeanine Davis <<a href="mailto:Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu">Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu</a>><br>
<br>
>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<br>
><br>
><br>
>On Jan 10, 2014, at 7:59 AM, Jeanine Davis wrote:<br>
><br>
>> 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<br>
>><br>
>> Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D.<br>
>> Associate Professor and Extension Specialist<br>
>> Dept. of Horticultural Science, NC State University<br>
>> Email: <a href="mailto:Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu">Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu</a><br>
>> Websites: <a href="http://ncherb.org" target="_blank">http://ncherb.org</a> <a href="http://ncspecialtycrops.org" target="_blank">http://ncspecialtycrops.org</a> <a href="http://ncorganic.org" target="_blank">http://ncorganic.org</a><br>
>> Blog: <a href="http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com" target="_blank">http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com</a><br>
>> Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU</a><br>
>> Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228</a><br>
>> Address: Mtn. Hort. Crops Research & Extension Center<br>
>> 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759<br>
>> Phone: <a href="tel:828-684-3562" value="+18286843562">828-684-3562</a> FAX: <a href="tel:828-684-8715" value="+18286848715">828-684-8715</a><br>
>><br>
>> From: MPWG [mailto:<a href="mailto:mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org">mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</a>] On Behalf Of Susan Leopold<br>
>> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:47 AM<br>
>> To: <a href="mailto:ForestRuss@aol.com">ForestRuss@aol.com</a><br>
>> Cc: <a href="mailto:MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org">MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org</a><br>
>> Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program<br>
>><br>
>> 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?<br>
>><br>
>> I think this quote from the main ginseng dealers sums up how plants are perceived.. see quote and link below.<br>
>><br>
>> UpS has released a formal press release warning the History Channel about the dangers of promoting poaching of a threatened species...<br>
>><br>
>> "its a protected species, but I don't know why. Its a plant'<br>
>> <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1956140531/New-reality-show-focuses-on-state-ginseng-business" target="_blank">http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1956140531/New-reality-show-focuses-on-state-ginseng-business</a><br>
>> <a href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/12/25/new-reality-show-focuses-on-west-virginia-ginseng-business/" target="_blank">http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/12/25/new-reality-show-focuses-on-west-virginia-ginseng-business/</a><br>
>><br>
>> On Jan 10, 2014, at 10:19 AM, <a href="mailto:ForestRuss@aol.com">ForestRuss@aol.com</a> wrote:<br>
>><br>
>><br>
>> MPWG:<br>
>><br>
>> A new program had its debut on History Channel yesterday 01/09/14 called "Appalachian Outlaws.<br>
>><br>
>> 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.<br>
>><br>
>> 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.<br>
>><br>
>> 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.<br>
>><br>
>> I would appreciate other peoples' thoughts or comments on the program<br>
>><br>
>> Sincerely,<br>
>><br>
>> Russ Richardson, Certified Forester<br>
>><br>
>><br>
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>> Disclaimer<br>
>> 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.<br>
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Disclaimer<br>
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.<br>
</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br>Danika Setaro<div>Plant Biology M.S. Student</div><div>Arizona State University</div><div>School of Life Sciences</div><div><br></div>
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