June 4, 2009
Education in Action has selected BRIT to host over 600 students in their Lone Star Leadership Academy throughout the summer. Participants in this program are distinguished students (grades 5-8) representing schools from across Texas. During the program, students have the opportunity to learn about future career and internship opportunities, visit historically, scientifically and environmentally significant sites and be part of a rare academic experience. At BRIT, these students will gain an understanding of botany and the critical work of botanists.
May 26, 2009
For the past 8 years BRIT has worked with other members of the Great Tree Ring to provide up to 2,000 free tree saplings to participants of Mayfest along with planting information to assure the successful maintenance of these trees.
Cancellation of the 2009 Mayfest in the wake of the swine flu outbreak created a dilemma for what to do with the many trees ready to be planted.
On May 26, BRIT distributed several hundreds of these trees to educators and parents as part of a REAL People Networking Event at Atwood McDonald Elementary, hosted by REAL School Gardens.
We are grateful to know that several Live Oaks and Shumard Red Oaks will be shading educators, children and their families across the area as part of this unexpected turn of events!
May 20, 2009
Have you been thinking of making a donation to BRIT and were just waiting for the right time? Now is the time!
BRIT has joined DonorBridge in its effort to help North Texans become more-informed donors and nonprofits become better collaborators. DonorBridge is a new online database to assist nonprofit organizations and donors in making mutual connections by hosting comprehensive information about hundreds of DFW nonprofits, including BRIT.
On May 20, 2009, DonorBridge will launch its public website. Also on that day, your donation to BRIT will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the generous support of the Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Foundation.
Your tax-deductible gift to BRIT must be made via a credit card through the DonorBridge website* on May 20, 2009. The minimum matching gift is $25 and the maximum matching contribution is $2,500 per individual.
Visit www.DonorBridgeTX.org on May 20th, search for "BRIT" and ensure your donation goes even further.
* All online credit card gifts made through DonorBridge will be processed through the Communities Foundation of Texas. A credit card processing fee of 5% of the amount of the gift will be deducted from the total amount of the gift, with no charge to BRIT.
May 15, 2009 Press Release
The Great Tree Story Essay Contest is a part of The Great Tree Project. This essay contest allows third grade students from Fort Worth to share personal stories (many heart-rending) associated with trees in their communities.
This year’s grand and first prize winning authors, Jacob Coffey of Alice Carlson Applied Learning Academy, Roman Julian Mejia and Daniel Barnes, both from Daggett Montessori School and their classmates will spend a day at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge on May 15 from 10:30am until 1:30pm.
Their day will begin with a videoconference connecting them with students across Texas to share their winning stories. Guest of honor, Deborah Ferguson of Channel 5 News will participate in the broadcast by reading Alan Zweibel’s Our Tree Named Steve. After a picnic lunch, the center’s biologists will give students a tree tour of the 3600 + acre center
May 12, 2009
“Lost Worlds: Stories and Lessons from the Tropical Rainforest”
Dr. Bruce Beehler, Vice President of Indonesia-Pacific Islands Division, Conservation International
Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist, tropical ecologist, and conservationist, who has visited and studied rainforests around the world. His most recent books include “Ecology of Papua” (with Andy Mitchell) and “Lost Worlds” (Yale, 2008). Beehler will summarize the main environmental, social, and political lessons learned from his studies of rainforests in Papua New Guinea, Panama, Philippines, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, India, and Madagascar. These include the importance of indigenous peoples to rainforest conservation; the need for good governance before conservation can succeed; and the nature of development. The presentation will include images of plants and animals of the rainforest.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Tuesday May 12, 2009
6-7 p.m., BRIT Main Office
500 E. 4th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Map & Directions
Parking in the lot adjacent to the building is free.
Paid parking in the garage at 3rd & Jones Streets will be validated for those attending the program.
May 11, 2009
The Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Project (AABP) has developed several important collaborative agreements with colleagues at academic and research institutions. One of the most important collaborations to date has been formed with the natural resources and conservation unit of the Regional Government of Cusco, Peru. The letter of understanding was finalized in March, 2009, and on March 31 it was signed in person by Janovec, Renan Valega (legal representative and project manager of BRIT-Peru) and officials of the Regional Government of Cusco. Janovec delivered the document in multiple copies to Texas, and on May 11th, these documents were signed by Sy Sohmer.
The purpose of the letter of understanding is to formulate a collaboration between BRIT and this governmental agency, with the goal of planning and implementing new conservation areas in Cusco, one of the most biologically diverse states of Peru. The BRIT-AABP team will form an essential base of real data and expert knowledge about the flora, fauna, and ecosystems of this region of Peru. Collaborative expeditions between the BRIT-AABP team and the Regional Government of Cusco will be conducted during June-December, 2009.
Read more about the various collaborations between the AABP team and organizations in the US and Peru.
May 9, 2009
At this year's Prairie Fest, in the Prairieland area, more than 120 children used mud and native wildflower seed to create "seed balls" for distribution at the Tandy Hills Natural Area. The kids had a blast playing in the mud and doing their part to help with the restoration of the prairie. Now they get to celebrate their handiwork by dispersing the seed balls. Please come to witness and support this beautiful gift to Mother Earth and the people of Fort Worth.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
10:00 - 10:45 am
Tandy Hills Natural Area
(meet at the playground)
3400 View Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76103
Map to Tandy Hills
May 7, 2009 Press Release
"Building for the Future: green development in Fort Worth"
with Jyl DeHaven, CEO, Green Urban Development
The lecture is free and open to the public: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Dorothea Leonhardt Lecture Hall, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth
April 30, 2009
Biologist Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D., praised as ''one of the world's greatest living scientists'' and known as the ''father of biodiversity,'' will receive the 2009 International Award of Excellence in Conservation from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas on Thursday, April 30, 2009.
Dr. Wilson is revered internationally as a ''genius of modern science and one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.'' Tireless at 79, he has evolved into being a leading advocate for conservation and biodiversity. A professor at Harvard University for nearly 40 years, Dr. Wilson is their Honorary Curator in Entomology, Museum of Comparative Zoology. He has also initiated the worldwide Encyclopedia of Life project to catalog the Earth's known 1.8 million species.
An author of "intellectual steel," Dr. Wilson has distilled his lifelong research by writing 22 books and over 400 technical articles. He established the field of study known as "sociobiology" with Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975). Two of his books won Pulitzer Prizes - On Human Nature (1978) and The Ants with Bert Hölldobler (1990). He suggests that human attraction to other living things is innate in Biophilia (1984) and in Consilience (1998), urges wider integration of the sciences.
"We are honored to present this award to Dr. Wilson," said S. H. Sohmer, Ph.D., BRIT's president and director. "He is a remarkable scientist whose accomplishments are legendary."
BRIT created the International Award of Excellence in Conservation in 1995 to honor individuals and organizations that exemplify the ideals expressed in its mission: to conserve our natural heritage by deepening our knowledge of the plant world and achieving public understanding of the value that plants bring to life. View all prior recipients.
Reserve your seat
6:45pm Reception
7:15pm Dinner
Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Worthington Hotel
Fort Worth, Texas
Read more about this event
April 30, 2009
Rarely in BRIT's history have we had the opportunity to reach out to the educators and youth in our community in such a powerful and life-changing way. Pulitzer Prize winning scientist E. O. Wilson, Ph.D., has accepted our invitation to receive the BRIT Award of Excellence in Conservation on April 30. A special breakfast and lecture with Dr. Wilson on the morning of the awards event will allow students and faculty from local universities as well as public and private schools to meet this legendary scientist and be inspired by the lessons he’s learned as a lifetime observer of the phenomena of nature.
If you want to share in this inspiring event, please consider a donation to sponsor a teacher or a local young person.
April 22, 2009
Dr. Mathias Tobler, Research Ecologist with BRIT's Andes to Amazon Project, is back from the field and on Wednesday, April 22, will present his current research on the ecology of tapirs and other large mammals such as peccaries, jaguars and ocelots in the Peruvian Amazon at a special BRIT Brown Bag Botany event.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
12-1 p.m., BRIT Main Office
500 E. 4th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Map & Directions
Parking in the lot adjacent to the building is free.
Paid parking in the garage at 3rd & Jones Streets will be validated for those attending the program.
April 20, 2009
The Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Project (AABP) team has invited Clayton Sublett, a student from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, to intern in Peru this summer. Clayton will work closely with the Peruvian AABP team to study the Sphingidae (hawk moths) of Quincemil in the Department of Cusco. In his down time, he will also work in the project gardens and assist the team during botanical explorations of the Amazon Rainforest.
Read more about other students that have interned with the AABP team over the years.
April 16, 2009
Glenn Wightman, Australia’s “barefoot botanist,” will be sharing his research in Ethnobiology Thursday, April 16, at a BRIT Brown Bag Botany event, noon to 1 p.m.
The senior ethnobiologist, based in the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts (NRETA) Biodiversity Conservation division, has spent the past 26 years working with senior Aboriginal knowledge custodians, recording and promoting knowledge to help reduce the loss of biological knowledge as elders pass away.
Wightman has been involved with 44 Aboriginal languages in north Australia and coordinated the publication of 24 books on the subject. He was also the first Australian to be awarded the auspicious Slow Food Award in 2003 for his commitment to conserving traditional Australian Aboriginal plant and animal knowledge.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
12PM, BRIT Main Office
500 E. 4th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Map & Directions
April 2, 2009
"Reweaving Nature’s Web: Bringing Sustainability to 21st Century Botanic Garden Design"
with Carol Franklin, RLA, FASLA, Andropogon Associates
March 5, 2009
"DFW International Airport: Green Clean and Energy Efficient" with Jeffrey Fegan, CEO, DFW International Airport, and BRIT Board Member
March 2, 2009
The National Science Foundation recently awarded a 5-year grant totaling $368,173 to BRIT for a Research Coordination Network grant entitled “Open Science: An education network in Ethnobiology to coordinate the development of a new culture in the science classroom.”
The purpose of this innovative project is to further the field of ethnobiology education. Patricia Harrison, Assistance Director at BRIT is the Principal Investigator and is joined by a diverse team including Will McClatchey, professor at the University of Hawaii; Gail Wagner, professor at the University of South Carolina; Rainer Bussman, research botanist at Missouri Botanical Garden; Sunshine Brosi, professor at Frostburg University; Karen Hall, professor at Clemson University; My Lien Nguyen, former professor at Vassar College; and Jeanine Pfeiffer, social scientist with Earthwatch Institute.
The network will use computer-based technologies and web-based portals, such as Atrium, to facilitate a continual exchange across institutional and international borders. Materials shared will include educational methodologies, materials and experiences that engage students in scientific inquiry of traditional knowledge to advance the field of ethnobiology.
The inaugural meeting for the project will be in Charleston prior to the annual Society of Economic Botany Meeting in June, but network building is already underway through WiserEarth, an online community site. Join the online discussion.
February 18, 2009
BRIT and REAL School Gardens are now accepting proposals for a professional development conference in Fort Worth on August 6, 2009. Please consider sharing your knowledge of how to connect children, families, and schools to nature.
All teachers, principals, parent volunteers, support staff, and outside professional development providers are invited to submit proposals. This year's theme is "Question the System."
To learn more about the theme, strands, goals and details of the conference, download the
Call for Proposals PDF Document. The deadline for submitting a proposal is March 13, 2009.
For questions, please contact Pat Dorraj, BRIT Education Specialist.
February 5, 2009
"Plants and Cities: A New Relationship" with Diana Balmori, IFLA, landscape design, Balmori Associates, New York
January 15, 2009
"Sustainability and Health by Design" with Kirk Teske, AIA, LEED AP, HKS Inc.
Novemer 12, 2008
Exciting news for BRIT supporters is in the press release linked below.
The Institute for Museum and Library Services (ILMS) has awarded over $700,000 to BRIT and our great collaborators at the University of North Texas, Denton.
The importance of natural collections grows exponentially every year, because we are facing mass extinctions of so many elements of the natural world. As a result, plant collections such as those housed at BRIT (over a million at this time), document that certain species were found in certain places at certain times. This is critical knowledge. Each specimen has important information associated with it. Getting at that information from the millions and millions of specimens that exist in the world’s herbaria (plural term for the institutions that house these collections for research, education and that document the existence, or former existence, of the species those specimens represent) can be difficult.
The grant will make it easier to extract and share this critical data, not only for us, but for all of the herbaria of the world. The linked press release gives a wonderful overview of this significant grant that has been awarded both institutions.
November 13, 2008
"Will the Future Be Green?" with Hugh Hardy, FAIA
October 2, 2008
"Green Roofs from Prairie Barrens: inviting the Fort Worth Prairie into the city" with Dr. Tony Burgess
