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J. Zool. Bot. Gard., Volume 5, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 5 articles

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8 pages, 202 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Sustainable Energy Use in Buildings: A Leadership Opportunity for Gardens and Zoos

by Richard V. Piacentini

J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(2), 179-186; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5020012 - 13 Apr 2024

Viewed by 361

Abstract

Cultural institutions hold a unique position of influence, serving as hubs of education and knowledge dissemination for the people they serve. Embracing sustainable energy use in buildings in zoos and botanical gardens is a commitment to environmental responsibility that reinforces these institutions as trusted sources of information and community leaders on climate change, one of the most vital issues of our time. Sustainable energy solutions can synergize operations with educational missions, allowing zoos and botanical gardens to lead by example and inspire visitors to adopt eco-friendly practices in their own lives. In this opinion paper, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens President and CEO Richard Piacentini discusses key elements in developing a sustainable building energy plan, reviews potential barriers to implementation, and makes a case for adopting regenerative thinking and new metrics for measuring success—citing example cases from Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) project. Additionally, the paper demonstrates how green building certification systems and peer-based resource networks like The Climate Toolkit can help guide institutions in the process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanic Gardens and Sustainability: Providing a Pathway Forward for Humanity and the Planet)

22 pages, 2096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Types of Animals Should Be in the Future Zoo? Thoughts from United States Residents and Zoo and Aquarium Staff

by David M. Powell, Theodore G. Meyer, Candice Dorsey and Rob Vernon

J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(2), 157-178; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5020011 - 12 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1050

Abstract

Humans are biased in their preferences for animals, and this may impact the composition of zoological collections. We assessed which kinds of animals the public and zoo professionals want to preserve in zoos for the future and analyzed these lists for previously identified biases and agreement across surveyed groups. We also characterized agreement among the surveyed groups on the roles of zoos and the composition of animal collections. We surveyed people who live in the United States, members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and AZA zoo and aquarium directors. There was agreement among surveyed groups on the roles of zoos, though some differences existed. Zoo professionals and the public generally agreed on the emphasis on various categories of animals for zoo collections, though some differences were noted. We found evidence of bias towards mammals, charismatic megafauna, and felids across all surveyed groups. Agreement was high between AZA members and directors and moderate between zoo professionals and the public. These results indicate that these groups are generally in agreement about the roles of zoos, how they should compose their animal collections, and what animal species, in particular, should be kept in zoos for the future, allowing zoos to compose their collections to maximize delivery on their mission goals as well as address the preferences of the public. Full article

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14 pages, 823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BiodiverseCity St. Louis—An Initiative of the Missouri Botanical Garden

by Jean Ponzi, Glenda Abney, Matthew A. Albrecht, Sean Doherty, Robbie Hart, Allison Joyce, Nisa Karimi, Daria Mckelvey, Mike Saxton and Jen Sieradzki

J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(2), 143-156; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5020010 - 10 Apr 2024

Viewed by 381

Abstract

Botanical gardens are addressing urgent biodiversity issues through plant-based capacities including botanical research and data-sharing, conservation horticulture, ecological restoration, seed banking, and more. The Missouri Botanical Garden initiative BiodiverseCity St. Louis, led by the Garden’s sustainability division, adds broad community engagement to this mix. This work includes public and professional education, the demonstration and promotion of ecological landscaping and Green Infrastructure practices, citizen science programs, and coordinating communications for a regional network of partner organizations focused on biodiversity. Diverse activity engages businesses, local governments, elementary and secondary (K-12) schools, colleges, and community groups. Community biodiversity work at the Garden is informed by an institutional core of scientific rigor, provides opportunity for internal collaborations, and aligns with global strategies for plant conservation—to ground impactful local work. Missouri Botanical Garden’s experience offers a model for public gardens: leveraging modes of community engagement, in concert with diverse institutional strengths, to address biodiversity needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanic Gardens and Sustainability: Providing a Pathway Forward for Humanity and the Planet)

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12 pages, 2682 KiB

Open AccessReview

Conservation of Water Resources in a Botanic Garden

by Chad E. Washburn

J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(2), 131-142; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5020009 - 08 Apr 2024

Viewed by 388

Abstract

Water-resource challenges, encompassing both quality and quantity, pose significant threats to Florida’s ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change, rising sea levels, and rapid urbanization. This paper explores the innovative stormwater-management system implemented at Naples Botanical Garden as a model for addressing these challenges. The Garden’s approach, treating stormwater as a valuable resource, involves dry and wet retention areas, created lakes, and a unique River of Grass, mimicking natural ecosystems. This system not only mitigates flooding, but also effectively removes pollutants, recharges the aquifer, and provides a habitat for diverse wildlife. The paper emphasizes the economic, environmental, and social impacts of traditional stormwater-management practices in Florida. Naples Botanical Garden’s case serves as a guide for botanical gardens and zoos globally, showcasing the pivotal role these institutions can play in sustainable water-resource management. The collaborative design process involving landscape architects, engineers, and horticulturists ensures a holistic and aesthetically pleasing approach to stormwater management. The paper underscores the role of botanical gardens in promoting nature-based solutions, educating the public, and offering tangible steps for implementing similar systems worldwide. It can help guide regional adaptation strategies to manage stormwater as a resource. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanic Gardens and Sustainability: Providing a Pathway Forward for Humanity and the Planet)

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12 pages, 1614 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

The Arnold Arboretum’s Campaign for the Living Collections: A Case Study in Living Collection Development

by Michael S. Dosmann and Miles Schwartz Sax

J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(2), 119-130; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5020008 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 572

Abstract

In 2015, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University began an ambitious plant acquisition program: The Campaign for the Living Collections. Prior to the initiative’s launch, the Arboretum underwent several years of strategic planning to assess the values, strengths, and gaps within its renowned living collection of temperate woody plants and then set goals that would profoundly shape the collection and its research and conservation potential for decades if not for centuries. Core genera, conservation value, phylogenetic breadth, biogeography, and climate change responses were among the priority themes used to generate a targeted list of 395 desiderata to acquire from wild populations. In only a few years, the Campaign’s 26 formal expeditions and other acquisition efforts have yielded 631 accessions of 263 highest-priority desiderata, representing 66.6% of the overall goal. This venture represents one of the most transformative and deliberate collection development activities at the Arnold Arboretum and among botanical gardens in the current era. These successes are due to a combination of factors that include visionary yet realistic strategic planning and goal setting, adherence to high standards of documentation and reporting, and authentic relationship building among collaborators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanic Gardens and Sustainability: Providing a Pathway Forward for Humanity and the Planet)

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