3t at Mirador Loma el Mogote, NE Cuba
Conservation Horticulture workshop, Cuba
3t Vakil was invited to attend the November 2024 “Horticulture for Conservation” workshop in Havana, Cuba. Hosted at Havana’s National Botanical Garden, Jardín Botánico Nacional – UH -Cuba (JBN), this gathering united experts from Cuba, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, creating fertile ground for collaboration.
The workshop was organized by the CSE/IUCN Cuban Plant Specialist Group, the National Network of Botanical Gardens of Cuba, and the Network of Botanical Gardens of the Caribbean and Central America, receiving support from several key organizations. These sponsors included the National Botanical Garden (JBN), the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve of the Bahamas, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the Whitley Fund for Nature, and Planta – Plantlife Conservation Society, all highlighting the shared commitment to sustainable conservation practices.
For 3T, the event was a perfect match with our mission at Las Casas de la Selva, emphasizing horticulture’s role in conservation. It opened new avenues for innovative strategies and allowed us to form valuable connections with leading botanists and conservationists dedicated to preserving the Caribbean’s botanical heritage.
The diverse participation underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges. Sharing knowledge and resources, the workshop aimed to bolster the resilience of botanical gardens and conservation nurseries as centers for biodiversity and conservation education. 3T’s journey to Havana marked a significant stride towards building stronger botanical conservation networks. The collaborations formed and the insights gained promise to have a lasting impact on the conservation of the Caribbean’s botanical treasures. This workshop has not only reinforced the importance of unity in conservation efforts but also set the stage for future projects and innovations, paving the way for a greener Caribbean and beyond. Nov 2023
