The Monthly Magazine of the Vallarta Botanical Garden December 2016 The Leaflet The Monthly Magazine of the Vallarta Botanical Garden , , February 2017 Vol. 7, No. 2

Publisher & Senior Editor: Neil Gerlowski Co-Editor: Bob Price Contributing Authors: Michaela Flores, Greg R. Homel Translator: Alejandra Carmona Style Editor (English): Dee Daneri Designers: Alejandra Carmona & Gerardo Luna

Contents

1 Curator’s Corner 3 Dedication of the Cheryl L. Wheeler International Peace Garden of Mexico 5 4 “Salute to Vallarta!” Membership Appreciation Day 6 VBG Welcomes New Members: Greg Stanton and Family 7 Something New to Science Right in our “Own Backyard”? 8 VBG Advances in Plant Science 9 The VBG Welcomes New Science Advisor: Chris Carmichael, Ph.D. 10 Mexican Bird of the Month 12 2017 Vallarta Bird Festival 11 15 La Cascada de Serenidad - Pondless Waterfall

Features

16 Vallarta Botanical Garden’s Calendar 17 From the Membership Desk 22 Donation Information

Cheryl Wheeler is a visual artist who creates large-scale floral paintings that are mostly commissioned and in the custom process, she works closely with clients to inspire them to experience joy and feel their own inner beauty. Patrons affirm her canvas creations are full of energy and remind them of both the delicateness and force of our natural world.

Owner of the painting on the cover: Cheryl was commissioned to paint a logo for a women’s award program, information of the program can be found here: http://bit.ly/UWA2015

Cover: Art: Cheryl Wheeler www.cherylwheelerart.com Design: Mike Laking

www.vbgardens.org Dressed like a flower Price,Bob Founder andCurator, VBG With unyielding resolve to pursue a peaceful future our local for both community our friends throughout and the world, wish to create for generations to come. Please joinusinthiscreation. whenweno long-term victors itare succumb to the violent conflict. thatfoundation support we Peace andthevirtues myth of war benefiting the economy has long been debunked and in an increasingly interdependent world, there are to the citizensHealing is a top of our world priority who depend on each other for a prosperous future. The ridiculous Vallarta asaplace ofcontemplation to enjoy thenature ofMexico.” the Garden becausepeace isessential. The entire visitors andresidents Garden isahealingoasisthat serves ofPuerto Peace Garden ofMexico, to share what inspired herto contribute sogenerously to thisproject.Shetold me, “I support specificallydedicatedgifts L.to thisproject.I recently askedCheryl Wheeler,International ofthe theleadbenefactor this new “garden withinagarden” whetherthrough membershipsandothergeneral contributions orthrough themany On behalfofthe Vallarta Garden asanorganization, Botanical I’d liketo personallythankallwhohave madepossible for pursuingit.boldness andvisionto necessary initiate theactions Your canmakeabigdifference! participation with us. andlastingpeace works Real isonlypossibleifeveryone towards it, yet itonlytakesafew peopleofcourage, leaders.community The publicisespeciallywelcome andencouraged to attend andcelebrate event thisimportant Association (Mexican Gardens) alongwithmany ofBotanical localandregional Mexicana de Jardines Botánicos mayors, distinguishedgueststhat Garden day leadershipandmembers. willincludethePresident Other ofthe Paula Gauthier, Savage andMichel executives oftheIPGF, inthededication ceremony willparticipate alongwithour Vallarta region hasbuiltaworld-renowned reputation asaplace where diversity iscelebrated andcultivated. for ourcountry. They communicated andwelcoming thefriendly nature ofourcitizens andhow for decadesthePuerto Peña, appealedto theInternationalPeace Garden Foundation (IPGF)for ourcommunities to share thisspecialdistinction Garden. Lastsummer, themayors ofCabo Corrientes, Prisciliano Gordián, Ramírez andPuerto DávalosVallarta, Arturo This February L. 16th,we willdedicate theCheryl Wheeler InternationalPeace Garden ofMexico at the Vallarta Botanical FriendsDear oftheGarden, Curator’s Corner Photo: Ulises Sánchez Mireles February 2017 | Asociación Asociación 1 2 | TheLeaflet Let theseedsofpeace here begin andspread — International Peace GardenFoundation throughout theworld.

Photo: Ulises Sánchez Mireles International Peace Garden Photo: Mansur Kiadeh Dedication of the Cheryl L. Wheeler International Peace Garden of Mexico of Peace International Garden Wheeler L. Cheryl the of Dedication Botánicos, the mayors ofPuerto Vallarta andCabo L. Corrientes, andCheryl Wheeler, leadpatron and artist, for thededication ofthisspecialplaceand artist, withinthe Vallarta Garden that Botanical has Please joindistinguishedguests, thePresident Mexicana ofthe Asociación deJardines Live musicwillbeprovided by MORUNO(gypsyjazz)and STOLIE (acoustic-folk). Your isastep towards participation peace for ourregion andourworld! been awarded ofMexico’s thedistinction International Peace Garden. Thursday, February 16th, 2pm -4pm February 2017 | 3 4 (Please seethecalendarofevents onpage16for more upcoming memberevents.) Members, celebrate nature at theGarden withus!Notamember yet, andbeauty joinusonthisspecialoccasion! Saturday, February 4 “Salute to Vallarta!” Membership Appreciation Day | TheLeaflet 12:00 –1:00pm 1:00 –3:00pm 2:00 –3:00pm 1:00 –1:45pm 3:00 pm th Event Itinerary Thank-you andannouncements &FolkloricLive Mariachis Dancers entertainment: Guided tour of theGarden withour Docents BuffetMexican (Complimentary for members) Welcome at Margaritas thefront gate (Complimentary for members) :

Hacienda de Oro Visitor Center at the VBG Photo: Frank McCann Become “GEM” aGarden Give Every Month – Your Lives Legacy on at VBG the Coordinator, Flores. Michaela Director, orMembership NeilGerlowski and ask to speak to the Garden’s Executive Please visitourwebsite orcall3222236182 the US,andCanada. Interested? Great! contributions inMexico,for tax-deductible or $139USDpermonth. These qualify gifts three years isacommitment ofonly$194 this up into payments over the course of Banca Distintiva Dividing Bench). (Distinctive and$5,000USDfor Bench) Real (Regal a choice. Prices are at $7,000USDfor aBanca custom design andimagesofyour withtext ceramic tiles. We canhelpyou create a are finishedwithbeautifulhand-painted at the Vallarta Garden? Benches Botanical someone withapermanent cantera bench Would you like to honor or memorialize Commemorative Cantera Benches contribution today. vbgardens.org for you of to begin thiskind now upontheGarden’s website www. A newGive Month Every “GEM” pageis through theslower timesoftheyear. the Garden monthly income to carry giving and allows us a dependable can helpyou better budgetyour annual Garden intoBotanical monthly payments Dividing your contributions to the Vallarta [email protected] blessing a community. Please write to your philanthropic potential andfurther to you aboutthebestoptionsfor optimizing CommitteeLegacy would behappy to talk and world tropics. AmemberoftheGarden’s Vallarta and the exquisite Mexicoflora of for Puerto natural sanctuary this important an investment of inthe long-term viability in your wills, trusts, and estate planning is the Including Vallarta Garden Botanical .

Bromeliad in bloom Photo: Ulises Sánchez Mireles February 2017 | 5 VBG Welcomes New Members: Greg Stanton and Family

Please join us in welcoming a new member family to the Vallarta Botanical Garden: Greg Stanton, President of the Board of Directors of the Punta de Mita Foundation, his wife Gaby, son Danny and daughter Nicole. Greg shared with us their inspiration behind them joining us as new members and their latest visit:

“Our family has always enjoyed the Garden and our kids really love going there even though it’s a bit of a drive from Nuevo Vallarta where we live. They both love nature and walking the trails. Even the resident dog, Domino, showed us the way on the trails one day! Of course, we enjoy the beautiful “What do you want plant life, but also the birds, the butterflies and the to do for your Birthday?” walk down to the river (mandatory for us!)… All of - Greg Stanton it is amazing.. and gets better each year!” “Let’s go back to Do you have something nice to share about a the Vallarta Botanical Garden!” Garden visit? Please tell us, or write your comments - Nicole Stanton on TripAdvisor.com.

6 | The Leaflet Something New to Science Right in our “Own Backyard”? By Neil Gerlowski, Executive Director, VBG

We are constantly amazed at the complexity and diversity separate species. The plants they encountered occurring of nature, especially here in the tropics. The more we wildly in the VBG’s forest preserve have these same study, the more we realize what we don’t know! Take for characteristics. The researchers will need to go back to example Garcinia intermedia, a beautiful, edible, fruiting their herbaria to further analyze their samples, both under tree that grows naturally in the Garden’s forest preserve the microscope and the DNA sequencer, but their hope is and is also represented by a specimen in the VBG’s Vallarta that the data will back up their hunch. We hope so too as Conservatory of Orchids and Native Plants. this would mean the description of a new “microendemic” plant for our region—something totally unique to our This past month, a team of researchers representing coast of Jalisco! the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Yale University visited our Garden on a hunt for Garcinia This further highlights the importance of plant science intermedia. They shared with us that the specimens and the potential of botanical gardens to play critical roles they encountered in the vicinity of Mismaloya Canyon in plant research, monitoring, and conservation necessary (between the VBG and downtown Puerto Vallarta) have to maintain genetic diversity for a healthy planet. This distinct morphological features, most noticeably larger is especially important in a time of climate change and than normal fruit, that may indicate they are their own other threats to the world’s ecosystems.

From left to right: Patrick Sweeney, PhD, Collections Manager, Division of Botany, Yale University Herbarium, Peabody Museum of Natural His- tory; Neil Gerlowski, MAT, Executive Director, Vallarta Botanical Garden; Mark E. Olson, PhD, Investigador Titular B, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Omar Paez, Biology Student, Yale University standing in front of a speci- men of Garcinia intermedia in the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s Vallarta Conservatory of Orchids and Native Plants. Photo: Bill McCann

February 2017 | 7 VBG Advances in Plant Science Thanks to the Efforts of its Science Advisory Board Neil Gerlowski, Executive Director, VBG

Last year, the Vallarta Botanical Garden formed a Science Advisory Board, which held its inaugural meeting on February 25th, 2016. Since that time, the Garden’s advances in plant science have been remarkable. Much of this is in thanks to the work of this board as well as their financial contributions and fundraising on behalf of the Garden. Several members of the Science Advisory Board will attend the upcoming dedication of the Cheryl L. Wheeler International Peace Garden of Mexico on February 16th and as well as an annual meeting at the Garden on February 17th. Please join us in thanking these individuals for their contributions and advocacy on behalf of our Garden.

A few highlights of the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s many advances in plant science this past year include: - Accreditation as a Level 1 Arboretum through ArbNet, an initiative of The Morton Arboretum of Lisle, Illinois - Conditional accreditation with the Plant Collections Network of the American Public Garden Association (The Garden’s Board has accepted the conditions of accreditation and is working to meet them) - Collaboration with The Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens of San Marino, California in a research project on Dioon tomasellii (a cycad) throughout the states of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa - Participation in the inaugural workshop of the Oaks of the Americas Conservation Network, Morelia, Michoacán - Presenting at the 2016 Gene Conservation of Tree Species Workshop in Chicago, Illinois - Presenting at the XX Congreso de la Sociedad Botánica de México in - An award of a 1,000 USD Mt. Cuba Center Challenge Grant for Plant Curation - An award of a 1,000 USD ArbNet Grant for a collaborative research project focused on native oaks of the region - An award of a 3,000 USD Magnolia Society International Grant for a collaborative research and collection project focused on Mexican Magnolias

Meet the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s Science Advisory Board:

Director of Horticulture, Barley, Richard, M.S., Advisor Kew Gardens Assistant Director of the Garden and Director of Plant Collections, Advisory Board Bunting, Andrew, B.S. Chicago Botanic Garden Vice-Chair Vice President of Science and Conservation, Advisory Board Cavender, Nicole, Ph.D. The Morton Arboretum Secretary Research Associate, Carmichael, Chris, Ph.D. Advisor University of California Botanical Garden of Berkeley Executive Director, Advisory Board Gerlowski, Neil, M.A.T. Vallarta Botanical Garden Chair Executive Director, Griffith, Patrick, Ph.D. Advisor Montgomery Botanical Center Advisory Board Retired Botany Professor, Guzman, Rafael, Ph.D. Communication University of Officer Ph.D. Student in Ecology, Wageningen University Heinze, Alan, M.S. Advisor Former Research Coordinator, Vallarta Botanical Garden Curator of Woody Plants, Thibault, Tim, M.S. Advisor The Huntington Curator of Plants and Plant Breeder, Zale, Peter, Ph.D. Advisor Longwood Gardens

8 | The Leaflet State andtaught University Museum, several courses, includingintroduction to museumstudies. taught an introduction to museum studies course. Before coming he worked to as a curatorBerkeley at theMichigan as Chair, Vice Chair, Reviewer Trainer, Reviewer, andChairoftheMulti-Site Cycad At Collection. heco- UCBerkeley (NAPCC,Consortium now thePlant Public oftheAmerican Network) Collections Gardens Association, where heserved also oversaw programs theconservation oftheUCBG.Hehasbeeninvolved Plant American Collections withtheNorth heoversaw thiscapacity 2016. In thedevelopment, anddocumentation preservation oflivingplant collections. He astheAssociate from at 2005to theUCBGin1998, and served Director andHorticulture ofCollections began working Carmichael,Chris Ph.D., isaResearch Associate at theUniversity ofCalifornia Garden (UCBG)at Botanical Berkeley. He The VBG Welcomes New Science Advisor Chris Carmichael, Ph.D. Or clickwww.cherylwheelerart.com Or Call +1-602-820-1142 Email [email protected] Chris Carmichael, Ph.D. Photo: Terry Stein in your name. ing anddonate 50%ofthe proceeds backto theGarden tor, L. Cheryl Wheeler willcreate your custom floral paint andInternationalPeaceArtist Garden ofMexico Benefac raise for the Vallarta Garden. Botanical Order your custom floral original painting and help fund- GIVE &RECEIVE February 2017 | 9 - - Mexican Bird of the Month Attila spadiceus - Bright-rumped Attila - Unseen Will-o-the-wisp of the Neotropical Forest Canopy Article & Photos By: Greg R. Homel www.birdinginpuertovallarta.com/[email protected]

They are among the first songbirds to vocalize in the the more exciting… though to some it’s almost surprising pre-dawn and one of the last to cease their ethereal to see them this far north on the Pacific slope of Mexico. admonitions at dusk… yet they go unseen by nearly Yet they are here and occur from sea level to around 7,000’ all regional birders who don’t “bird by ear”! The Bright- elevation. rumped Attila truly is an unseen will-o-the-wisp of the neotropical forest canopy. Attilas are hefty members of the Tyrant Flycatcher family (Tyrannidae), the largest family of birds found in tropical For this reason they are a challenge to see from an America, which is more than 400 strong. The common observer’s standpoint… as you usually have to look name literally comes from Attila the Hun, in reference to straight up through myriad branches and leaves to its aggressive wanderings, though our species is typically catch a glimpse of this striking bird. They are also good territorial and sedentary. Always monogamous, they are ventriloquists, so follow their song, but remember, just usually found in pairs, though you may only see one of when you think you’ve got it, they turn out to be closer each duo. Rest assured, though, they both see you! than you thought… or vice versa. But that’s part of the fun of tracking the aptly-named Bright-rumped Attila…. Their nests are tangled structures of rootlets, mosses, It’s the thrill of the chase! spider’s silk and lichens, often placed on an epiphyte, where available. They are also polymorphic, meaning there This attila is the northernmost, most widespread of a are color morphs involved, and ours is decidedly quite cline of attilas that spans the entire neotropical realm; the rufous—warm rusty brown in color—with brick-red irises proverbial tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of a species that (best seen at close range and from above… which is no is just as typical of the vast rainforests of Amazonia as it is easy feat), a streaked head, namesake bright tawny rump of Cabo Corrientes. In fact, this link makes seeing one all patch and heavy bill with falcated tip for dispatching prey ranging from stinging insects to venomous arachnids, helpless arboreal frogs, and even lizards; though they will also take fruit, especially that of the Gumbo Limbo (Bursera sp.). In Southeastern Mexico and southward these birds have even been witnessed following army ant swarms to depredate prey fleeing from the marauding, stinging hoards.

The race found in southern Central America and South America displays a bright lemon-yellow rump patch, as opposed to the warm tawny color that prevails in all individuals inhabiting tropical Mexico, prompting some ornithologists to split southern birds into their own species, the Flammulated Attila (Attila flammulatus).

The Vallarta Botanical Garden is home to at least a couple pairs of this striking tyrant flycatcher, but they do not come out into the open like some flycatchers do. You have to enter their forested realm if you want to be treated to the sight of this impressive species. From my experience, the best trail to follow in order to find this bird is the tantalizingly-named Jaguar Trail. Go ahead, hit that trail, take the challenge to see the unseeable! 10 | The Leaflet Attila spadiceus Photo: Greg R. Homel February 2017 | 11 2017 Vallarta Bird Festival, March 10th-12th By Neil Gerlowski, Executive Director, VBG

The Puerto Vallarta region is home to a host of bird diversity with over 300 species within just an hour or so from downtown Puerto Vallarta and over 500 species within a five-hour drive from here! Just within the Vallarta Botanical Garden alone, over 200 different species of birds have been observed and documented on eBird.org, a citizen science project of the National Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. During the annual Vallarta Bird Festival, this abundant avifauna is observed, studied, and celebrated by an enthusiastic group of local residents and international visitors.

This year, accomplished international sculptor and bird aficionado Todd McGrain will be the festival’s guest of honor. He will present screenings of his documentary “The Lost Bird Project” at both the Juan Luis Cifuentes Auditorium of the University of Guadalajara’s local “CUC” campus and at the Vallarta Botanical Garden. Todd’s documentary covers his work in creating and installing enormous bronze masterpieces memorializing North American birds that have sadly been driven to extinction by human error. The topic, while grim, can help raise awareness for those species that are now endangered and will go extinct if we don’t do something to stop the threats against them and their critical habitats.

Mexico is the only country in North America not yet graced by one of Todd’s evocative bird sculptures. Mexico’s now extinct endemic Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) would be an excellent candidate for a memorial statue, and Jalisco’s pine forests, such as those that begin along the fringes of the Vallarta Botanical Garden, were at the heart of this majestic bird’s former range. With any luck, Todd will find sufficient inspiration to create a sculpture in coastal Jalisco and the Puerto Vallarta community will see the value in investing in such a memorial to nature.

Preliminary Draft Agenda for the 2017 Vallarta Bird Festival (Final Festival details to be published in March edition of The Leaflet)

Date Time Activity Location

Early morning Birding on Campus UDG CUC (meet up at entry to the Reptilario) March 10 Midday Screening of “The Lost Bird Project” Juan Luis Cifuentes Auditorium, UDG CUC

Early morning Birding in the Forest VBG (meet up in parking lot at 8 am)

March 11 Midday Birding by Ear Workshop VBG, Vallarta Conservatory of Orchids

Afternoon Screening of “The Lost Bird Project” VBG, Vallarta Conservatory of Orchids

Early morning Birding in the Forest VBG (meet up in parking lot at 8 am) March 12 Presentation of Conservation Midday VBG, Vallarta Conservatory of Orchids Initiatives

The Vallarta Botanical Garden thanks their colleagues at the UDG CUC, especially Dr. Jorge Téllez, Director of the campus’ Division of Biological Sciences and Health, for their collaboration in the Festival. Equally, the Garden extends it’s gratitude to professional bird guides Alejandro “Alex” Martínez Rodriguez, Greg. R. Homel, Luis Morales, and Francisco García as well as volunteer birding coordinator Nancy Holland for their help with this and past festivals. There are still opportunities for helping create the 2017 Vallarta Bird Festival. Those interested in learning more and/or offering their assistance should contact [email protected] and/or [email protected]. 12 | The Leaflet Andrew Stern photographs the memorial of the The skull of a Great Awk, extint since 1800s Carolina Parakeet. Photo: The Lost Bird Project Photo: The Lost Bird Project

Todd McGrain’s bronze sculpture of the Great Awk Photo: The Lost Bird Project February 2017 | 13 Poets need not to go to Niagara to write about the force of falling water. — Robert Frost

14 | The Leaflet York. Heandhiswife Lorena, whowashere born inJalisco, the owner ofAcorn Ponds & Waterfalls ofRochester, New is anaward-winning Aquascape Certified Contractor and to the Holstein next waterfall Tropical Plant House. Tom Warmerdam, we now have abeautifulnewpondless byamazing gift Vallarta Garden member, Botanical Tom stream flowing through theproperty. Now, thanks to an mountainboth apristine river and asmallgurgling Garden location hasafortunate Botanical that includes central features andotherattractions. ofparks The Vallarta them the destination of our favoritemaking hikes or the such that theydraw people from afar to appreciate, often worries to theperiphery. areThe aestheticsofwaterfalls palpable calming power that can push our fears and The gentleofwater murmur flowing over rocks has Waterfall by Acorn Ponds Waterfalls & La Cascada de Serenidad - Pondless Tom Warmerdam & VBG staff at work Photo: Neil Gerlowski looking to expand his business internationally.looking In addition futurea thriving for Puerto Vallarta’s economy, Tom is the homesandbusinesses of ourregion andenvisioning After notingthepotential for among anaquascapemarket unnoticeably. the splashing and swishing of the water drown it away spring. The silence ofthelow-energy pump issuchthat this feature possiblecreate theillusionofanatural design, and clever covering oftheequipment that makes Tom’s choices oflocalriver hand-selected artful rock, treasure for usandourvisitors to enjoy. Garden hasinspiredBotanical oftime, thisgift talent, and winter in Puerto Vallarta and their love of the Vallarta Tom Warmerdam Photo: Neil Gerlowski to You may reach Tom by email paradise that you envision. intoyour the own property to transformabout hisservices recommend him contacting craftsmanship, we thoroughly of Tom’s excellent work and satisfied Asrecipient avery koi pondsandlakes. looking features includingnatural installs ahostofotherwater Garden, healsodesigns and the Tom justinstalledhere at that pondless waterfall to the [email protected]. February 2017 | 15 16 Daily Guided TourGuided Daily Early “Bird” Opening 6days/wkOpen 7days/wkOpen Garden Hours 10-12 17-25 | TheLeaflet DATE 23 16 16 14 4 2 5 Mar Mar Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb “Salute to Vallarta!” Appreciation Member Day page4for — See more details. Anniversary of Mexico’s Constitution (Statutory holiday is the 6 to thepublic. of theGarden’s mostpopularflowersGarden’s andahostofnewplants inthe for sale nursery Vallarta Flower andGardenShow – This annualevent focuses onthepeakbloomofseveral both days. Michaela FloresMichaela [email protected] by February 21st. Event begins at 12:00pm. exclusive to Board of Trustee Level andabove. Members mustbeplaced with Reservations Garden BlossomLuncheon –An intimate luncheonwiththeGarden’s leadershipteam, [email protected] by February 10th.Event: 6-9pm. to Copa deOro andabove. Flores Members mustbeplaced withMichaela Reservations Curator’s Candlelight – Dinner The VBG’s signature upperlevel membershipevent, exclusive THE GARDENISCLOSED ONMONDAYS FROM APRILUNTILDECEMBER EVENT Garden’s Copa deOro andabove. Members Event: 6-9pm. Curator’s SunsetCocktail –Asocialevening Social withcocktails andhor’s d’oeuvres for the and ourworld! page3for See more details. andlive musicfromactivities 2to 4pm. Your isastep towards participation peace for ourregion L. Dedication oftheCheryl Wheeler International Peace Garden ofMexico –Dedication tour focuses onthepower offlowers to express our feelings oflove andfriendship. Romance intheGarden to Vallarta! – Celebrate Valentine’s Day in nature. This day the 1 pm Puerto Puerto areVallarta. onMarch Garden activities 11thand12th.) Vallarta Bird Festival page12for –See more details. are (Note: OnMarch in 10thallactivities * Some activities subject to change. subject activities * Some The mostcurrent calendar, withlinksto often further event information,further canbeviewed at www.vbgardens.org/calendar.

9 am–6pm 1 pm(Offered for themonthsDec., of Jan., Feb.,March) & 8 amevery Thursday (Offered for themonthsDec., of Jan., Feb.,March) & (Closed Mondays) April, May, June, July, Aug., &Nov. Oct., Sept., for themonths ofDec., Jan.,Feb., &March (except &New Christmas Year’s Day) Vallarta Botanical Garden’sVallarta Botanical Calendar th ) –Garden remains open above members and Copa deOro entry with Included entry with Included -- for members! Complimentary entry with Included above members and Copa deOro & Above Level Members of TrusteeBoard entry with Included COST

Bromeliad Photo: Mansur Kiadeh Bromeliad Mansur KiadehPhoto:

From the Memberships Desk

During the month in which we celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Vallarta Botanical Garden hosts all of its most important events to show the love back to our members. All of our beloved members are welcome to our “Salute to Vallarta!” Member Appreciation Day on Saturday, February 4th. After that, we have our signature Curator’s Candlelight Dinner exclusively for our Copa de Oro Members and above and then the Garden Blossom Luncheon for our Trustee Level Members and above. This is also our most popular month for becoming a member or deepening your support of the Garden by upgrading a membership. We encourage you to invite your friends out to the Garden and ask them to join us as members, or give them the gift of membership for a year… chances are they’ll renew on their own the following year and keep the tradition going! Michaela Flores, Membership Coordinator, VBG Members: please always wear your membership card when visiting the Garden. [email protected] This helps our staff and volunteers recognize you as members and offer valuable discounts on your Garden purchases and other important benefits.

Can you find your name on our Wall of Patrons?

If you’re not yet “on the wall” we invite you to join the family that preserves the Garden forever!

Becoming a member is easy & provides great benefits: www.vbgardens.org/memberships

A high resolution image of this photograph is available at www.vbgardens.org/benefactors

February 2017 | 17 We would like to acknowledge and thank the following supporters:

BENEFACTORS ALAN & PATRICIA BICKELL RUBEN COTA & MICHAEL SCHULTZ DEE DANERI RICHARD DITTON PAM GRISSOM RALPH OSBORNE BETTY PRICE

ROBERT PRICE CHERYL L. WHEELER

GUARDIANS

DAVID HALES & FRANK OSWALD GEORGE HOLSTEIN MARY ELLEN HOLSTEIN KENNETH SHANOFF & STEVE YOUNG BARBARITA & BOB SYPULT MICHAEL TRUMBOLD

TRUSTEES

JOAQUIN AJA & DENNIS OWEN DAVID MUCK & COLE MARTELLI DR. GEORGE ARGENT JIM & MARSH MEADOWS BRUCE BECKLER DEAN & LISA OREM DR. ERIC CARLSON & JONATHAN EATON TERENCE REILLY & DAVID SCHWENDEMAN SAMUEL CRAMER & MICHAEL VITALE CHARLES & JUDITH SILBERSTEIN PAUL CRIST & LUIS TELLO ROGER & JOANNA SMITH GHOLI & GEORGIA DARESHORI DONNA SNOW & MICHAEL RUBENOFF MICHAEL HICKMAN CARL TIMOTHY & MARCELO MICO HARUO & MARIANA KANO DAVID & PAM TOMLIN THE MCCALL FAMILY

18 | The Leaflet COPA DE ORO

DREW BALDRIDGE & PAUL CANKAR KATHRYN HILL PAUL & WENDY BRISTOW ELANE HODGSON GLEN & DEB BRUELS NANCY HOLLAND CATHARINE BUTTINGER & BRUCE CROWLEY HOTEL MERCURIO BILL & KATHARINE ANN CAMPBELL DANIEL HUNTER & PAIGE JOHNSON HUNTER FAYE CÁRDENAS & KEITH COWAN RANDY & JANIS JONES

NICOLE CAVENDER BARRY & CANDACE KAYE BEVERLY COLEMAN ELENA KOUSTAS GEORGE & KATIE COLEMAN MIKE LAKING PHOTO ARTISAN LARUE & JANET COLEMAN DR. JOYCE LUJÁN MARTINEZ JOHN & JANET COTTON IRVINE MCDANIEL CHARLENE BAILEY CROWE DR. FÉLIX MONTES

CHRIS DANNER RONNIE LEE MORGAN

PATRICK DECOURSEY & RENE FRANCO MILLARD & BONITA MOTT ALLYN DIXON & SCOTTY MCINTYRE LAURA PALOMERA LILA DOWNS & PAUL COHEN JANE PEABODY

BETTY JEAN “BJ” ETCHEPARE PUERTO VALLARTA VILLAS FAITH COLLECTIVA PV MIRROR ROBERT & GAIL FARQUHARSON JOHN SABO & ALAN HARMON FLOWERS TO GO BIJAN & SALLIE SALESS DAVID & WILKA FOSTER JOHN FAIR SCHMAEZLE GEORGE FULTON STACY TAYLOR JOHN & LINDA GALSTON RICHARD & CECELIA THOMASON RONNIE GAUNY FAMILY THE GALEANA FAMILY BURI GRAY VILLA BALBOA

BRUCE GRIMM & KEN HOFFMANN VILLA LOS ARCOS JON HALL & EDWARD GRANT MATTHIAS VOGT

POUL & JUDITH HANSEN BILL WILLIAMS & JUAN ALVARADO HARRINGTON LANDSCAPES CONNIE WIMER & FRANK FOGERTY ANNE-MARIE HAYNES DEVON & ELLEN ZAGORY

February 2017 | 19 SUSTAINING MEMBERS LEE & WAYNE ANDERSON BRUCE & LINDA DOWNING JOHN KING & EDGAR GARCIA WILLIAM & MICHELLE AGUILAR MICAELA DOYLE MYRLEN ANN KNAFELC WENDY ALLEN ROBERT & KAREN DUNCAN LUKE KOST ROY ANDERES & LINDA LAKE MARY EDMONDS & ELLEN O’CONNOR KEN & JUDY KRINGS ED & GRACE ANDRES SHONA ELLIS JACK & SUSAN KIRKPATRICK LEE & WAYNE ANDERSON WILLIAM & LOIS ELLISON DEBORAH LARSSON NOREEN ANGUS & ED MOWATT MICHAEL ELSASSER GEORGE & JANET LAPIN PAM ARTHUR ROLF ENGSTROM & LARRY LEEBENS WAYNE & ANTONIA LAW CARLOS ARTURO ESTRADA LANCE & SUSAN ERICKSON ESTER LERNER & DANIEL CARRICO PATRICK & EDITH AHERN DAVID & ANN ERNE KLAUS LIEBTEN & MICHÉLE SAVELLE GARIN BAKEL & LIONEL CUNNINGHAM FRANCISCO ESPINO IBARRA HANK & VICKI LINDSEY MARK BANTZ & GEORGIA GARDNER CARLOS ARTURO ESTRADA TIM LONGPRÉ & AGUSTIN ROCHA ALISON BARNES & ANGELO MARCELIO CLIFFORD & SUSAN FAIRCHILD FRANK LOPEZ & MARIA DENINO LAURA BARRETT JOHN FALL & LARRY HOLMES DAVID LORD & SUSAN WISEMAN CURTISS BARROWS & CARLOS ALBERTO CAMPOS BERNAL DANA FARIS & CESAR HERNADEZ DE BOSQUE RITA & STEPHEN LOVE JESUS BAUTISTA & ROSA ELENA CANKAR JAMES FAY RON LOVELOCK DANIEL BELLUM & CAROL EASTON FRED FERNANDEZ & JOE MURPHY JIM LUCAS & PAUL DILDA TIMOTHY & CHRISTINA BENNETT JUDITH FERNANDEZ & XIMEN TALAVERA KEITH & CASEY LUPTON ROBERT BERMAN & LISA HORTON TERRI FINE HARRY LYNN PAUL & KAREN BILLINGSTEA ALAIN FLEUROT JOHN MACKELL & BRYCE DOHERTY GARY BIVANS & ISAIAS ORTEGA MICHAELA FLORES MACA MAC MORRAN MICHAEL & SALLY BIXLER DEAN & ANN FOSTER KEVIN MAGORIEN & EUCLID CRUIOSO JANIE BLANK DANIEL FREEMAN & YUM CHIN CHARLES MALLERY & WALLACE DEMARY JR. JOHN & PATRICIA BOCK SUZANNE FRENCH-SMITH & BRYAN SMITH JIM MANN GARTH BODE & KAREN NORDIN GEORGIA GARDNER & MARK BANTZ AMADOU & LESLIE MARIKO MANUEL BOGADO ALBERT & BARBARA GARVEY CHRISTINA MARTELL SUSAN BORNEMAN NEIL GERLOWSKI TOM & VICKY MASON ROB BOYD & KEVIN WU RIKKI & STAN GILBERT ROBERT & DANA MAXEY ARNIE BRAUNER & ROBERT BULTHIUS EDWARD GILL & GARY WOODS FRANK MCCANN GARTH & KAREN BREIT LEO GOED & KATHLEEN CONWAY JIM & LESLEY MCFARLANE BILL BREMMEYER & LORI HANSEN RANDALL & SUSAN GOMEZ LISA & KC MCKIVERGIN DAVID BRICE & MARILYN LUDDEN RAFAEL GUZMAN MEJIA JOHN MEANWELL & JOHN MACLEOD FREDERICK BROWN & MYRNA MORTON-BROWN ROLLAND GREGORE GARY & KAREN MILLER ROBERT BRUCE TIMOTHY & KATHY HAINDS DON MINSHEW & DAVID JONES ROBERT BULTHUIS & ARNE BRAUNER JOHN HALL & EDWARD GRANT GILBERT MOCHEL & CAROLINE ROYER KEVIN & ST. JULIEN BUTLER DAVID & ELLYN HOLLOWAY STEPHEN &CARIL MOORE JUDITH BYRNS & JOE BERGQUIST MICHAEL HAMMOND MARJORIE MORRELL & ROLAND MENETREY CRAIG CALLEN & THOMAS ARCOLEO KEN & MAGGIE HARBOUR JULIO CESAR MORA MARTINEZ ROBERT & BETTY CALMAN ED & TEHERESA HARROD ROBERT MRZLACK WALTER & DORIS CAMP JOEL & PAMELA HART ALAN & MARIANNE MUMFORD BARRY & LAUREN CAMPBELL T. J. & HELEN HARTUNG MEG MUNRO KAY CASSERLY & GEORGE BYRNE ELEANOR HAWTHORN & SANDRA WICKS CLARA MURET RONALD & JANE CEASE CARLY HEGLE & JACK VETTER ROGER & BETTY NEFF LEE & NANCY CHAPMAN ANGELICA HERNÁNDEZ MICHAEL NELSON PAUL & SUSAN CHRISTENSEN RON HARNER & CLINT HARRIS GREG & JONI NEUTRA JEFF COATES VICTORY HICKOCK GLORIA NEWMAN JAMIE COATES & POLLY COOPER TOM HICKS & AGUSTIN ZAVALA LLOYD & DOREEN NICHOLS BONNIE COLE & PATRICK DANENAULT GEORGE HINKLE & BILL REDDICK BILL & CYNTHIA NOONAN GEORGIA & TIM COPELAND BRUCE HOBSON & RACHEL HARRIS JOHN & CECILIA NORMAN KEVIN CRAIN & STEVE SIEHL GREG HOMEL WENDELL NORRIS & STEVE MURDOCH LAURIE CRAISE & JERRY POVSE ROBERT HOWELL & ELROY QUENROE JANICE NORTH BARBARA CROMPTON JANET HUDSON & NICHOLAS WHITE BRUCE NOVAK ROGER & SHARI CRONK LONNA & RAE-ANNE HULL HILDA ALICIA NUNEZ & CONSUELO ZEPEDA NUNEZ JOHN & CARYN CRUMP JOHNA INKEEP HANK & RUTHILD OFFERENS ERIC DAVIES DAVID JACKOVICH & NANCY MARK FRANK & VICKI OHLY JIM DAVIS & DAVID WILHOIT JOVANY JARA & ANTHONY SILVA MICHAEL OLSCHAFSKIE YVONNE DEFEITAS & PAUL WERLER JOHN JENSEN & KELLY DYCK CARLOS ORTEGA JUDITH DELEON ROBERTA JENSEN SILVER & SHEILA PADACHEY NICK & CHERRY DELORENZO DRANN & MAYNARD JOHN MICHAEL PANOPOULOS & TOM CORBETT WALLACE DEMARY & CHARLES MALLERY BILL & SHANNON JOHNSON DENNIS & PATTY PASQUINI ABIJIT & MONA DESAI KENT JOHNSON & CODY BLOMBERG TOMMY & NANCY PATTERSON GRETCHEN DEWITT JAMES JOHNSTONE & SUE GRADDON JEAN PENDER & ESTHER GARIBAY ADRIANA DIAZ ROMO & LAURA BUENROSTRO MARLIN & ANITA JONES JORGE ALBERTO PEREZ DE LA ROSA MICHEL DIFRRUSCIA & LUIGI KOBAYASHI KIRSTIE KAISER PILAR PEREZ & VALERIA MUELLER HOWARD & LANI DILL JOSEPH KANDALL & CERGIO GONZALEZ HANS PETERMANN & DENISE KAMENZINO JOHN DOCOTE & KEN BARNES JOHN KELLEHER KENT & DIANE PETERSON 20 | The Leaflet PETRA PFAFFE LORI SALAZAR-FEDYK & JESSE JAMES NEAL & MARY THOMASSEN PACO PIÑA & CONNIE NAVARRO MICHAEL SCHIRMACHER TIK & JON THURSTON WILLIAM & MARY PLATZER JACK SCHWARTZ & ALICE KATZ JOSE TORRES JAY POWELL & VICKIE JENSEN NEIL SECHAN & MATTHEW MESSER KEN TOUCHET & GARY HOWARD WILLIAM PROCTOR & KATALINA MONTERO SANDY & CHRISTINE SETH MIGUEL TOVAR JOSEPH PORTNOY CAM & DEB SHAPANSKY BILL & PAULINE TRACHTENBERG DAVE & ELLIE QUISLING JENNIFER SIKOV SCOTT TUFT SANDRA RAMOS & SANTIAGO GUTIERREZ DAVID & CECILIA SIMPSON MICHELLE VENANCE & BRANKA DEUTSCH WENDY RASMUSSEN & ROBER BYROM PHIL SIMS & FABIAN LEYVA PABLO & DIKI VOIGT ED REED & LEN PACITTI DAVID SOKOLOWSKI & THOMAS HARVEY THOMAS & PATRICIA WAGNOR ANA LIGIA QUINTERO AGUILAR DAVID & MARGARET SOLOMON THOMAS WARMERDAM & LORENA DÁVILA SANDRA REEVES & YOLETTE GARRAUD JIM STAGI & FELIX BANUELLOS ABBY WARNER & GREG CZECH PETER REX GREG STANTON & GABRIELA HIDAIGO NANCY WARNER JESÚS ALBERTO REYES GARCÍA BETTY STORK JOHN & BARBARA WARREN RICKI RICARDO CHARLES & MARIANNE STROZEWSKI JOHN WAUCHOPE & VIRGINIA CARLSON ROBBIN RICHARDSON & ARLENE PREVIN CLIFFORD & ROSEMARY STUEHMER BILL WEIL & ALINES HAPIRO KEN & KATHY RIESER DONALD & MARIE SULLIVAN DAVID & SUSAN WELLWOOOD STEVE & MARYANN ROBALINO KENT & SUSAN SWANSON JOHN & CHERYL WHEELER JESSE ROSE ROBERT DAVID SZYSZKA & GIOVANY MARCELENO GREG WHITE & PEGGY REMSEN DOUG ROBINSON & MICHAEL ELASSER DAVID TARRANT JUSTIN WILLIAMS JOAQUIN ROMERO BILLIE & TIM TAYLOR THOMAS & NOEL WILSON LICIA ROSSETTI & JOHN LUND BETH TESLER SHAWN WOLFE & SANDEEP KUMAR AL & CATHY ROUYER TIM THIBAULT JON WORTHINGTON & BRYAN HOULETTE KEN & THERESA ROWLEY JOHN THOMAS RODOLFO ZAGARENA

INDIVIDUAL

ANA AGUILAR CURT HAHN MARY ANN ROTH IMRE ALMASSY RAUL HARO CHRISTIE SEELEY CARMEN BERKOWITZ BARRY HAYHURST PATRICIA SLOWEY LIA BITTAR HAL HOULDING SHIRLEY SMITH GRACE BRANDT BIFANI KENNA MICHAEL SNYDER CLAUDIA BROWN MANSUR KIADEH JOE STROUD MARCIA BUTTEL ROBERTO KNOPFSTEIN WILLIAM THEILEMAN MARCIE CAVANAGH VELORA LILLY SHERRY TOFFIN FABRIZIO CETTO PADILLA LEONOR LOPEZ PAULINA VALÉS TORT DENISE DERAMEÉ KATHLEEN PHELPS CATHY VON ROHR MARTIN DYER DON PITMAN BARBARA WASHINGTON BONNIE ECCLES LARRY READ STANLEY WINBORNE MARCIA ESCONTRIA LUIS REYES BRAMBILA ALICE WINBORNE LUZ MARIA GONZALES VILLAREAL DAVID ROSE DONNA WYMANN FREDEKE GOODYEAR JUDITH ROTH

If your name is missing or you find an error, please alert the Membership Coordinator, Michaela Flores: [email protected] Thank you. (S) = student (I) = individual = deceased

We Also Thank the Following Foundations for Their Recent Support: BROOKLYN BIRD CLUB CHARLES H. STOUT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB MELINDA MCMULLEN CHARITABLE TRUST STANLEY SMITH HORTICULTURAL TRUST February 2017 | 21 Your Donations to the Vallarta Botanical Garden are Greatly Appreciated

México - Tax-deduction receipts are avaiable for donations to the Vallarta Botanical Garden made through the Fundación Punta de Mita (FPM). - Please send an email earmarking your gift for the Vallarta Botanical Garden to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] -In this email please include your name, the date your gift was sent, and the amount of your gift.

Checks may be mailed to: -Please provide FPM with your email and information to be Fundación Punta de Mita, A.C. included in the tax-deductible receipt (wich will be sent by email). Carretera Federal Libre 200 Km 18.05 -Please provide FPM with confirmation (copy of check) for tracking. Punta Mita, Nayarit, C.P. 63734 México.

Wire transfers: Bank: Banamex SWIFT CODE: BNMXMXMM Account in Mexican Pesos (MXN): 09840115760 CLABE 002375098401157608 Account in US Dollars (USD): 09849002101 CLABE 002375098490021017

Paypal: www.fundacionpuntademita.org/en/how-to-help

Canada - Our educational programs qualify for USA - Our direct support 501(c)3, tax-deduction receipts provided by “Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C.” The Canadian Children’s Shelter of issues tax-deduction receipts: Hope Foundation (CCSHF) Checks may be mailed to: Cheques may be mailed to: Friends of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, A.C. Canadian Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation 759 North Campus Way 87 Lavinia Ave Davis, CA 95616 Toronto, ON, M6S 3H9 Wire transfers / direct deposits are accepted: Canada Please write to [email protected] for routing and account numbers. Please write “VBG” for “Vallarta Botanical Gardens” Credit Card Payments: on your cheques. Call us w/ your card info: +52 322 223 6182 Alternatively, you may donate using a credit card Donations of stocks and IRA distributions: through CanadaHelps.org (whose donation page is - Charles Schwab Account # 46789311 DTC linked to the CCSHF website www.ccshf.ca) selecting Clearing # 164 Code: 40 the “Vallarta Botanical Gardens Fund.” - Chase Brokerage DTC # 0352 Account # 7422361

Thank you for your generous contributions!

Phone: 01 52 322 223 6182 (international calls) or 223 6182 (local calls)

Email: [email protected] Web: www.vbgardens.org