Save The Gardens http://www.savethegardens.com/ - focusing public opposition against the destruction of Bermuda's Botanical Gardens en Copyright 2006 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 18:57:32 -0400 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Come and Celebrate the Gardens! celebrate.jpg

Click here for full advert

Click here for the schedule of live performances

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/11/come_and_celebrate_the_gardens.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/11/come_and_celebrate_the_gardens.html General Information Mon, 13 Nov 2006 18:57:32 -0400 Take Action! - Write a Letter You can put your pens down folks! The Government has announced that it will NOT be building the new hospital on the Botanical Gardens.


Below is a (new) draft letter to Premier Ewart Brown that you may copy and paste. It is best if you modify it with your own thoughts but if you don't have the time you can simply add your details at the bottom and send it off.


Dear Premier,

I support the need for a new Acute Care Hospital in Bermuda. However, I object to any development whatsoever in the Botanical Gardens. They are a Bermudian national icon in addition to being a beautiful, protected national park, a major tourist attraction and a superb educational and scientific resource. All parks are incredibly valuable to society but the Botanical Gardens are extra special and are widely used by the entire community. We cannot afford to lose them!

I am aware that there will be difficulties rebuilding on the existing hospital site but these issues will be short term whereas the effects of destroying the heart of the Botanical Gardens will be permanent.

Please preserve the Botanical Gardens intact for future generations.

Yours Sincerely
Name
Parish/ Town
Country

Click on the link below to find contact information for all the relevant people (including the new Ministers) that your letter should be addressed and copied to.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/11/take_action_write_a_letter.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/11/take_action_write_a_letter.html Action! Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:25:39 -0400 Well I never knew that! BCstudents1.jpg
Bermuda College students express their support for the gardens from Inside one of the massive banyan trees

I found a class of students from the Bermuda College today in the Botanical Gardens. They were on a field trip and they asked me to tag along. I learned so many things about the gardens that I did not know before. It was as if I was a child all over again, learning things about nature for the very first time.

DID YOU KNOW: All hibiscus flowers only open for one day and at the end of that day they close and die. Each hibiscus flower you see is a completely different flower from the ones the day before!

I didn't know that and it took me a while to get my head around it. I had always thought that these flowers simply open and closed each day.

I saw a plant that attracts flies (for the purpose of pollination) by smelling like rotting flesh. I also discovered a tree that had exploding fruit together with a sausage tree that didn't grow sausages but may in fact be a cure for cancer. I found gorgeous purple passion flowers, cotton plants with soft fluffy seeds and some bizarre looking cacti - to name only a few!

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/well_i_never_knew_that.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/well_i_never_knew_that.html Virtual March Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:59:41 -0400 Is the Government serious about Sustainable Development? SDlogo.jpg
The Sustainable Development draft plan recently published by the Government of Bermuda includes the following: Protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources Imagine...

• An island where open space and natural habitats are preserved for current and future generations to enjoy by building in different ways and concentrating on building in a few key areas; redeveloping previously developed sites rather than encroaching on green space

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/is_the_government_serious_abou.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/is_the_government_serious_abou.html General Information Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:50:41 -0400 Petition signatures total over 3,000! petition.jpg
Is your signature on the petition? If you signed the sheets of paper outside the BHB meetings at the end of September - you did NOT sign the official petition

The petition to Save The Gardens (online and on paper) now bears over 3,000 signatures but we'd like more! If you haven't signed it yet - click here or visit any of the following places to sign it on paper:

The Phoenix Woodbourne
The Phoenix Drugstore
The Lemon Tree Café
Brighton Nurseries
Aberfeldy Nurseries
Noah’s Ark
Animal & Garden House
Spicelands, Inwood, Hinson Hall Riding Centres
Kit’n’Kaboodle
St John’s Church
St Augustus’ Church
St Monica’s Church
Sousa’s Landscaping
Conrad’s
Marine Locker
Bermuda Bookstore
Rock Island Coffee Shop
PJ's Warehouse

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/petition_signatures_total_over.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/petition_signatures_total_over.html General Information Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:40:21 -0400 Happy Green Day everyone! johnny.jpgThis morning Johnny Barnes was wearing green trousers in addition to a Bermudaful shirt with flowers and bright green leaves. He even had a luminous green vest under his shirt!

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to wear green today (or something close to green!). We had fun on the roundabout this morning with Johnny Barnes! I told lots of people in green that I love them and if I didn't get the chance to tell you, and you are wearing green - then let me tell you something - I really love you! Yes I do!

I LOVE YOU!

Click on the link below to see more pictures from today.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/happy_green_day_everyone_1.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/happy_green_day_everyone_1.html Public Opinion Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:09:18 -0400 Inspirational Gardens doublefantasy.jpg
Double Fantasy - the flower that inspired John Lennon

As I was leaving the Botanical Gardens today after we had a press conference there I switched on my ipod, which was set to play random tracks. "Give Peace A Chance" by John Lennon came on and it reminded me that I have something to tell you!

Back in 1980 John Lennon spent a long stay in Bermuda and he was walking in the Botanical Gardens one day when he found the flower "Double Fantasy". This flower suddenly inspired him to write all of the music for this final album, which he also named after the flower! He thought the name was a perfect description of his marriage to Yoko.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/inspirational_gardens.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/inspirational_gardens.html General Information Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:44:43 -0400 This Friday is Green Day!

Click on the image for a larger version

You can print the JPEG or download and print the PDF file and pin it up in your office.

Friday is also Breast Cancer Awareness "Denim Day". We certianly don't want to take any focus away from this other important issue and ask that those participating in "Denim Day" try to wear something green along with their denim.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/this_friday_is_green_day.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/this_friday_is_green_day.html General Information Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:05:01 -0400 News and views Friday declared 'Green Day' to protest new hospital site
A message has gone out to everyone who wants to save the Botanical Gardens from being used as a site for a new hospital to wear an item of green clothing this Friday.

1,300 reasons to save the gardens - and counting
The campaign to save the Botanical Gardens is making good use of today's technology. With a handful of volunteers and a shoestring budget, the Save the Gardens campaigners have launched a website and an online discussion forum or Blog. ...

Online Gardens petition draws 1,400 signatures
MORE than 1,400 people have signed an online petition launched this week to oppose plans to build a new hospital on the Botanical Gardens.

'Cadillac hospital plan too costly'
Government has opted for an expensive "Cadillac hospital" in the Botanical Gardens which the Island may not even need, Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert claimed last night.

Who says we need a new hospital?
A reader writes...

Click on the link below to read more letters to the editor.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/recent_news_and_views_1.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/recent_news_and_views_1.html In the News Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:19:23 -0400 Too young to make a difference? DSC00920.JPG
Caitlin got over 100 people to join the Virtual March

Dear all,

I know a 13 year old might not make a difference, but what’s the harm in trying? When I first heard about a third of the Botanical Gardens being demolished, I thought that nothing could be done, and it would just be another large step to making Bermuda more of a concrete jungle. But then I was inspired. I heard about this ‘Virtual March’ and knew that I might actually be able to make a difference. I went to school the next day, digital camera and ‘Save The Gardens’ sign in hand, and took pictures. I was amazed at how all of the BHS students wanted to take a part, and in 40 minutes I had 46 pictures of over 100 people.

I really hope that they will not build the hospital in our magnificent gardens, and will continue to do all I can to prevent it. It is such a tragedy that our adults are prepared to take away one of few green spaces we have left, and that us, the children, will have to live with it the rest of our lives.

Thank you to all my fellow students who let me take their picture, and to Ms. Nash without whom I would not have pursued this.

Caitlin O’Doherty
CODsig.jpg


]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/too_young_to_make_a_difference.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/too_young_to_make_a_difference.html Virtual March Sun, 15 Oct 2006 11:24:33 -0400 Have you joined the Virtual March?


]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/have_you_joined_the_virtual_ma.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/have_you_joined_the_virtual_ma.html Virtual March Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:20:00 -0400 What's so special about the Botanical Gardens? Bird of Paradise Flower
The following was written by a member of the public who wishes to remain anonymous

When I think that even a part of the Botanical Gardens might be lost to Hospital construction it makes me want to cry – for myself because I love the Gardens, but also for Bermuda. It is such a treasure and it would be impossible to replace these 10 acres! What I fear people don’t realize is that the Gardens are much more than an open space or a park.

Our Botanical Gardens are made up of many collections of plants that were conceived, planned, and then planted and cared for, by a number of horticulturalists and gardeners over many decades. They are the heart of a beautiful, landscaped, MATURE open space, a place to meet friends and family, renew yourself.

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/whats_so_special_about_the_bot.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/whats_so_special_about_the_bot.html Public Opinion Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:02:57 -0400 More things you can do to help Once you have signed the petition, written to the Premier and joined the Virtual March - there are other ways you can continue to help save the Botanical Gardens!

E.mail your friends and tell them about this campaign.

Add a link to this website and/or to the petition in your e.mail signature.

Find us on MySpace and be our friend!

Put a web banner on your own webiste or blog by copying and pasting the code in the box below.

That will look like this...

Thanks to Jonathan Young from Bermedia for this AND for making the top banner for this website!

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/more_things_you_can_do_to_help.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/more_things_you_can_do_to_help.html Action! Wed, 11 Oct 2006 18:12:23 -0400 Save the Gardens for our children! Jesaiah Khyree Talbot and Jezhari Anaya Talbot

Lisa Talbot sent in this photo of her children Jesaiah Khyree Talbot and Jezhari Anaya Talbot. Lisa wrote:

My children deserve to have open spaces in Bermuda. They are the future of this country and we have already used up most of the natural resources so please save the gardens for them. Unfortunately we live in a concrete jungle and have no yard so, we go to the BG where we love to spend time at the gardens playing and picnicking. And of course the Exhibition and many other events that are held there are part of our history and culture that should never be taken away.
]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/save_the_gardens_for_our_child.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/save_the_gardens_for_our_child.html Public Opinion Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:20:33 -0400 BHS and MSA students become Botanical Guardians DSC00855.jpg

Thanks to Tina Nash for helping Bermuda High School students join the Virtual March. To see all the pictures from BHS click here!

assignment #1.jpg

Thanks to Craig Diamond for encouraging his Graphic Arts Class at MSA to join the Virtual March. To see all the pictures from MSA click here!.

All of the pictures from both schools are great but when you see this one I think you'll agree it's the most creative!!

]]> http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/bhs_and_msa_students_become_bo_1.html http://www.savethegardens.com/2006/10/bhs_and_msa_students_become_bo_1.html Public Opinion Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:47:58 -0400