[Museum] Botanical Garden of the Vrije Universiteit (Free University) of Amsterdam

[José d'Encarnação <jde@fl.uc.pt>]

   Não é que o mal dos outros nos console; mas... sempre podemos 
manifestar-nos a dizer que, enfim, gostaríamos que fosse doutra maneira!... 
E, se formos muitos a dizê-lo, talvez certas cabeças ditas 'pensantes', 
atafulhadas de números, acabem por ter um espacinho para darem abrigo a uma 
outra realidade. «Outra»? Eles é que julgam ser outra! Não é!
   Sigo, pois, o exemplo de Marta Lourenço: divulgo!

                                                               J. d'E.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marta Lourenco" <mclourenco@museus.ul.pt>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 7:58 AM
Subject: Botanical Garden of the Vrije Universiteit (Free University) of 
Amsterdam


> Faço foward da notícia de (mais) um jardim botânico em risco na Holanda.
>
> *****************************
> Urgent action campaign to save a Dutch botanical garden.
> Posted by Freek Vrugtman, Curator Emeritus, Royal Botanical Gardens, 
> Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
>
> The Botanical Garden of the Vrije Universiteit (Free University) of 
> Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is slated to be closed, giving way to an 
> expansion of the University's Medical Centre.
> We urgently request your action to prevent this from happening.
>
> The Hortus Botanicus, founded in 1967, covers one hectare (2.5 acres), 
> including 1,000 sq m (about 10,800 sq ft) of greenhouses providing a range 
> of climatic conditions.
> The collections exceed 6,000 taxa, including epiphytic orchids and 
> bromeliads, the largest collection of cacti in the Netherlands with some 
> plants being more than a century old,  a bamboo collection, plants of the 
> bible and plants of other religions, a penjing garden and a bonsai 
> collection, container plants that are 60 to 80 years old, plants that take 
> 30 years to produce their first flowers, a wide range of economic plants, 
> to name but a few. Certain collections are part of the Dutch National 
> Plant Collection, an organization comprising 18 participating botanical 
> gardens in The Netherlands.
> The Hortus is an official repository for plants confiscated under the 
> provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species 
> of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
> The Hortus is an active participant in the international seed exchange 
> network.
> The Hortus has an active educational programme.
> The Hortus also provides a green oasis for patients of the University 
> Medical Centre and the campus population.
> For more information about the Hortus Botanicus see its web page:
> <www.vu.nl/en/current-students/student-facilities/other-facilities/hortus-botanicus/index.asp>
>
> Please express your concern to:
>
> Dr René M. Smit, Chairman
> Executive Board
> Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
> De Boelelaan 1105
> 1081 HV  Amsterdam
> The Netherlands
>
> Fax: (011 31) 20 59 85300
> E-mail: <rm.smit@dienst.vu.nl>