Fall 2006 Special Events
Education from Ecuador
September 28th and October 20th
Based on the Choco region of Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Rainforest biome in the Children’s Garden represents far more than just a tropical rainforest. This biome offers a rare and realistic look inside one of the Earth’s most hidden treasures, and is the first “classroom” in what will become a global school of learning.
The Choco region is an epicenter for biodiversity. It is also a Pleistocene Refuge – a rare biological island that escaped the massive extinctions of the last Ice Age – and is home to one of the oldest nurseries on the planet. The area has one of the wettest climates on Earth, and has been named one of the top 10 hotspots for conservation priorities by the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and the United Nations Environmental Program.
Striving for accuracy and authenticity, last summer, three Garden staffers traveled almost 6,000 miles and lived in the fascinating region for 10 days. Ann Parsons, Director of Education, Mark Weathington, Director of Horticulture, and Patrick Mulligan, Children’s Garden Program Manager, were hosted by a group of indigenous peoples known as the Chachi, to experience life in the rainforest first-hand. They brought back knowledge of native jungle plants and their traditional uses, and artifacts to be used in the Passport Gardens. They also forged friendships that will benefit both cultures far into the future. Norfolk Botanical Garden hopes to help preserve the Choco region by raising awareness of the endangered area, and to help the Chachi community through the sale of handmade crafts in the Garden Gift Shop and through the establishment of long-term connections that will improve their health and education. What the Garden gets out of the partnership is a one-of-a-kind interactive teaching tool.
Between September 28th and October 20th, three Chachi men and one woman will visit Norfolk Botanical Garden. Dr. Oswaldo Anapa Chapiro, the smartest Chachi boy the elders had ever seen, graduated at the top of his medical university class in Havana. He is now the only doctor serving more than 3,000 people in his hometown. Jose Carlos Cambulero Anapa is a Prince, the son of a Chieftain. He is also the Assistant Director of the Ministry of Chachi Education and hopes to ensure the future of the tribe through teaching. Carlos’ wife Lidia will give the Chachi women and children a voice, and will give hands-on weaving lessons to Garden staff, visitors and school children. Manuel Anapa Tapuyo has led more than 100 research expeditions deep into the Choco rainforest. He’s a “para”biologist whose wisdom and knowledge has far exceeded most of the Ph.D.’s he has guided.
All four of our guests will be involved in special events while they’re here. Here’s a look at what’s scheduled:
Sunday, October 1st
2:00 p.m. -- Welcome Reception
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. -- Lecture: Cha’cuinda – A Chachi Story
Lecture free with Garden admission.
Monday October 2nd – Sunday October 8th
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. -- Construction of Chachi house in WOW
Friday, October 13th
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Walk & Talk Series
Take a closer look at the Healing Garden and learn about plants of the rainforest and their medicinal uses.
Cost: $8 NBG members, $14 non-members
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Chachi.
Wednesday, October 18th
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Basket Workshop
Lidia Anapa will teach students to make a small basket or fan using the ancient techniques of the Chachi.
Cost: $18 NBG members, $28 non-members
All supplies are included in fee. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Chachi.
Thursday, October 19th
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Garden Gourmet Series – A Taste of Ecuador
Make traditional tasty treats with long-time instructors, Anna and Carol, along with special guest chef Lidia Anapa. They’ll share recipes featuring plantains, a Chachi staple, in addition to other cultural dishes.
Cost: $18 NBG members, $24 non-members
These classes fill up quickly. Call (757) 441-5838 or visit our Web site, www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org, to register today.
We hope this once-in-a-lifetime experience will be enjoyable and educational for everyone. If you see any of our special guests working or walking around the Garden, stop and say hello – or Urakepe nene (oor-eh-kep-eh-nay-nay) – if you really want to make them feel welcome!
Admire the handiwork, but don’t have time to take the class?
Buy one of these beautifully woven arts and crafts in the Garden's Gift Shop. Purchasing a basket or belt directly benefits the Chachi village and its people.
…interesting little piece of trivia… There is no word for privacy in the Chachi language – and the concept of seclusion does not exist in their culture. A traditional Chachi home is completely open with no exterior or interior walls.
Forget flowers – we’re walking through history this fall!
It’s a weekend of fun thousands of years in the making – all on 155 acres!
Walk our paths straight into the past, at Norfolk Botanical Garden’s History Alive! Learn about history from medieval times to the 20th century from those who live it – even now. Watch a real-life Battle of the Ages in a mounted tournament challenge. Try on armor or wield a sword with the knights of yesteryear. Experience the sights, sounds and smells as re-enactment groups provide a taste of what life was like. Have a blast as history comes to life!
October 6th – 8th
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Free with Garden admission
For more information call (757) 441-5830 ext. 312, email events@nbgs.org or visit our Web site at
THE WORLD IN A GARDEN: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH HORTICULTURE
October 20th and 21st
American Public Gardens Association Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting
Norfolk Botanical Garden will host the 2006 APGA Mid-Atlantic Regional meeting.The theme is “The World in a Garden: Connecting Communities through Horticulture.” Conference programming will explore how public gardens can create connections with communities around the world through plant collections, exhibits and educational programming.
The meeting will open with a presentation by leaders from the Chachi tribe from the Choco Rainforest in Ecuador who will tell their story about life in the rainforest and the connection they have with plants. A later presentation will discuss how this unique partnership between a botanical garden and an indigenous people has benefited both groups.
The keynote address, “Reengaging People and Plants: From Ethnobotany to Signature Architecture” will be presented by Carol Franklin, Founding Principal, Andropogon Associates, Ltd. in Philadelphia, PA. This talk will explore some of the many different ways a botanical institution can engage its community in a fresh dialogue with plants and the non-human world. Carol’s work exemplifies a lifelong interest in preserving, restoring and re-adapting both natural and cultural landscapes and in establishing the essential connection between the two.
Other program topics are:
- Prospects and Planning: An Education, Research and OutreachCenter in Public Horticulture - Edward Moydell, LongwoodGardens
- Plant collecting in Papua New Guinea: New Insights into Crop Origins, Native Plant Use and Museum Collections - Dr. Tim Motley, OldDominionUniversity
- Making Systematics Fun: Hold a Plant Family Reunion – Dr. Christine Flanagan, US Botanic Garden
- World of Wonders: Creating Believable Settings in a Children’s Garden - Mark Weathington, NorfolkBotanical Garden
- Ornamental Horticulture and Conservation Collections: A Powerful Combination for Educating Garden Visitors about the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) - Keith Tomlinson, MeadowlarkBotanical Gardens
- Connecting People to Plants through Powerful Collection Displays - Scott Scarfone, Oasis Design Group
- World of Wonders: Reaching Beyond our Garden Borders - Ann Parsons & Patrick Mulligan, NorfolkBotanical Garden
- I’ve Got Elephants in My Garden, What’s Your Problem? - Marie Butler, Virginia Zoo
- People, Place, Purpose: The Role of Horticultural Therapy Programs in PublicGardens - Nancy Easterling, North CarolinaBotanical Garden
The program will include tours of the newly opened World of Wonders: A Children’s Adventure Garden. This three-acre interactive garden has been developed and designed entirely for kids – with a catch. Children can learn the connections between plants, international culture and the environment – but they’ll just think they’re having fun! Additional tours will feature area gardens that exemplify the conference theme.
Meeting registration includes all program sessions, breaks, tours and two lunches. Transportation will also be provided for participants to the meeting site at Norfolk Botanical Garden from the Holiday Inn Select and to selected restaurants for the Friday night dinner. (Holiday Inn Select provides transportation to and from the airport.)
Registration: $125 ($100 for APGA members) $85 for students with a current ID.
For more information visit www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org or contact Perry Mathewes Education Program Manager at perry.mathewes@nbgs.org or 757-441-5830 ext. 337.
Sunday, November 5th
Museum Stores of Hampton Roads Present: A Holiday Affair
11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Baker Hall
Find unique, unusual, elegant and eclectic treasures as close to 10 gift shops from area museums open their doors under our roof.
Select from a sampling of the spectacular gift stores from the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Jamestown Settlement/Yorktown Victory Center, Nauticus, the Old Coast Guard Station, Francis Land House, the Virginia Aquarium and the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. From artsy to aquatic to animal lovers, there really is something for every special someone on your list – and – you're giving a gift to Mother Nature when you save gas by getting all that shopping done in just one stop!
Join us for 5 hours of fun, refreshments and door prizes – and don't forget to bring your membership cards to get discounts while you get a head start on the holiday season.
POLAR EXPRESS
All Aboard! All Aboard! The Polar Express is leaving the Garden!
Next stop – the North Pole!
All aboard as the Polar Express pulls into the station at the Garden again this season. If it's not already, this fantastic family activity will become a festive tradition in your household.
Help your kids create a holiday keepsake craft while sipping hot cocoa and nibbling on cookies. Then, gather 'round to listen to a reading of the award-winning book, The Polar Express. As if that's not cool enough -- after that -- hop on board the tram and ride through the Garden of Lights on your way to the North Pole.
This activity is planned for parents to accompany their children.
Mondays – Thursdays November 27th – December 21st
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
$8 per person
It may still feel like summer outside, but it's never too early to plan for Polar Express. These nights fill up very quickly. To make sure you and your kids get a seat at the hottest holiday tradition in town, call (757) 441-5838 or email registrar@nbgs.org as soon as possible.
