Press Releases from Greater Philadelphia Gardens

GREENVILLE, Delaware, September 5, 2006 – Being involved in a conservation project that spans the globe brings great pride to Mt. Cuba Center. “It is with great pleasure that we can contribute to a program of such international significance that aligns with the mission of Mt. Cuba Center,” attests Rick J. Lewandowski, Director of Mt. Cuba Center. Mt. Cuba Center, the region’s finest woodland wildflower garden, is pleased to announce its participation in the worldwide Millennium Seed Bank Project (MSBP). Recently, Mt. Cuba Center initiated a collaboration with the North Carolina Botanical Garden in the Seeds of Success Program, the North American initiative of the MSBP. The Project was started by the United Kingdom’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in 2000, as a means to collect and conserve 10% of the Earths’ seed-bearing plants. Seeds from 18 countries will be collected and used for stabilizing, rehabilitating and restoring native plant communities, as well as minimizing invasive weeds. The efforts will aide in preserving and replenishing the diversity of wildflower species around the world. In late August, a training workshop for eastern U.S. participants took place at Mt. Cuba Center designed to help educate Project partners about the proper methods of seed collection. Special precautions must be taken to ensure seeds will maintain their viability during storage. As an educator and promoter of proper gardening and conservation techniques, Mt. Cuba Center was honored to host the seminar. “We had the opportunity to showcase our naturalistic environment to colleagues from around the world while participating in the education of the MSBP partners,” says Lewandowski. Mt. Cuba Center’s support and involvement in the initiative will help lead to a successful Millennium Seed Bank Project that will contribute to restoration efforts, the green industry, and the planet’s botanical diversity for future generations. Mt. Cuba Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study, conservation, and appreciation of plants native to the Appalachian Piedmont Region through garden display, education, and research. For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit www.mtcubacenter.org or call (302) 239-4244.