Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens Orchid Conservatory Win Golden Oak Environmental Awards

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On the anniversary of the birth of one of the Garden’s many inspirational spirits, that of Alexander Von Humboldt, we held our second annual awards ceremony to honor a few of the many modern pioneers working to conserve our region’s natural resources and protect the environment that cares for us all. I personally presented awards to honor two of the most diligent laborers on behalf of the Vallarta Botanical Garden — Ellen Zagory and Neil Gerlowski. Also, two other community leaders, Juan Espinoza and Isablela Cárdenas Oteiza, presented awards to two other important local conservationists, Dr. Helios Herández Hurtado and Oscar Aranda.

Ellen Zagory serves the Garden’s US-based Board as volunteer secretary and is the person who first proposed the creation of a conservatory focusing on native Mexican orchids here at the Garden.

During 2013, when the majority for the funding for this conservatory was raised, Ellen’s workload for the Garden quadrupled, yet she rose to the occasion even while maintaining her “real job” as Director of Horticulture the UC Davis Arboretum. Without her commendable service we wouldn’t have been able to accept the generous donations that made the conservatory’s construction possible for this facility to now serve as a living classroom and conservation center. Carlos Mendoza accepted Ellen’s award in her absence and we look forward to seeing her soon to present it to her in person.

Neil Gerlowski, the Garden’s Executive Director, continues to amaze me with his vision and drive for the Garden and its programs. This past year, while excelling at his other duties here, Neil has brought about outstanding new developments to our educational programming and has managed a constantly growing and increasingly skilled team of volunteers to work together with him. We are not only receiving more visitors and school groups than ever before for educational programs at the Garden, but are now offering teachers a range of meaningful activities and custom-tailored events,lectures, and workshops for their young learners.

Juan Espinoza, the Editor of Bay Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit, leads the quest for engaging content for his fine publication which includes an abundance of essays on the natural world, especially the wildlife of our region. We asked Juan to present an award to a local environmental hero, and he chose Oscar Aranda without hesitation.

Oscar’s commitment to sea turtle conservation and public education is inspiring. We were very blessed to hear of his accomplishments in this work and his goals for the long-term protection of these charismatic creatures. Dr. Liza Danielle Kelly Guitiérrez, the Career Coordinator of Biology at the University’s local coastal campus, was invited to nominate an award recipient as well. Her selection of Dr. Helios Herández Hurtado met our instant approval.

Dr. Helios has been laboring for the study and protection of the Bay of Banderas’ crocodiles for twenty years. From wrangling colossal crocs to careful monitoring of wild specimens and documenting their last remaining nest sites, Dr. Helios has shown a devotion to species conservation that rivals any others that I know. In Dr. Kelly’s absence, Isablela Cárdenas Oteiza presented Dr. Helios with his award.

[readon1 url="https://www.vbgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/LEAFLET-2014-OCT.pdf"]Source:www.vbgardens.org[/readon1]