With Estrella Alfaro

Two dates available: November 6 or November 13
Departure time: 16:00
Meeting place: Church of Lugán

During our visit to the arboretum, we will talk about the importance of plant collections as a source of resources and reservoirs of biodiversity, which is key for ex-situ conservation, that is, outside the natural habitat of plant species.

Botanical gardens or arboretums that share the data of the specimens in their custody, publish it in transparently, making it available to the scientific community. They play a safeguarding role. These specimens are sometimes crucial for the re-introduction of the species into the wild, especially when they have suffered a drastic decline or significant genetic loss.

There are international projects and initiatives in which data is collected from the most important collections or in which help is requested to locate a species from all collections, be they large or small, with the aim of returning the plants to their places of origin, thus fighting against their disappearance in nature (in-situ conservation).

This is the case with Botanical Gardens Conservation International, a network of gardens that works to conserve plant diversity around the world and address threats for the survival of many species.

In addition, arboretums and botanical gardens are an important teaching tool that allows us to talk about these vulnerable species, to be fascinated by their beauty, sometimes hidden, with their smell or with their fascinating history.

Knowledge is one of the keys to conservation, so we are all invited to become passionate about the collection of trees in the arboretum in Lugán, with its caretaker and alma mater José María F. de la Varga.

Due to the current health situation, we ask that people interested in these activities respect the restrictions on mobility valid in their places of origin. We remember that the areas in which we are going to develop them are vulnerable due to their demographics and we ask for everyone’s collaboration to safeguard their health.