[b said:
Quote[/b] ]You don't seem to want to read my comments. Making something rare, deliberately or not, gives it a premium value. This is my fundemental point.
I have read every single word you have posted here. And I do understand what you are saying though I do not feel you really understand what I am saying. By using the word "making" you are implying deliberate intent on the part of ABG to keep these plants rare. That is not what tehy are doing at all. It is like Bugweed said:
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I believe purp montana's should be more widely available to all who desire one, as so the Georgia leuc, if it is so important to some to have it. But, this is something that can only come of trust from those that are in charge. They have been burned by those who swore their love to the plants, and the love for the site, only to turn around to make money off the site. Can you blame them for being so gun shy?? They don't know who to trust, and too many folks only see dollar signs where these plants are concerned. We may have to move slow
ABG has been burned. How do you think they felt when the GA oreo site was stripped bare and word got back to them that it was because someone involved in the conservation of the site (from a different institution) told a "trusted friend" where to find it? Which leads right into your next comment:
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]You worry about people trying to locate the site for themselves, or even disclose location information about it. Are you worried that someone might want to poach it?
I know people are trying to find the sait. In the original GA leuco thread I made a post asking that if anyone for some reason knew the location of the site that they please not post it. As Ozzy and herenorthere have both mentioned, poachers don't go to sites because of the chance to get location data, they go to sites for convinence. A poacher in GA who learns of the GA leuco site will much rather go there than to FL or AL and if he does get to the site he will happily strip it bare because he can. And even if the GA leuco were being distributed among the community it would not stop a poacher from taking the plants.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]Additionally, making material available is not a significant undertaking, as you imply. I highly doubt it would take any time or resources away from the conservation work. Stated simply, the effort to make these plants available to others is minimal;
Making material available is not a significant undertaking if you are a major TC nursery and that is what you do. But you forget that ABG is not a major TC nursery and for them it is a major undertaking. The TC lab at ABG is not devoted to CPs (I have already stated this.) For them to make enought to enact some kind of distribution effort would probably require that they drop all their other TC projects. That just is not going to happen, the ABG does not exist solely to cater to the CP community.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I think you underestimate the ability of people in the cp community that you call the "obsessive hobbyist." Many of these people are involved in cultivation, and nature in general. Many aren't clouded in their judgements by having to obtain an income from these plants but, are involved in cp for a love of nature's wonders. There are a number of these people that you call, "obsessive hobbyists" that likely have more field experience than you could imagine. Their motivation? A passion for these plants and nature. That kind of devotion shouldn't be negated, nor underestimated.
I do not and never have underestimated this community. But I also do not underestimate greed driving the tenacity of a poacher to rip every last plant out of the ground. It does not matter how many people love the plants, it does not change the fact that the poacher loves money more.
Also, I do not believe I ever used the word "obsessive" and if I dod it was not in the negative context you are implying. I myself am rather obsessive so I would not use it in a derogatory manner.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]I myself could care less about the inner workings of ABG, but know they work their butts off. I am behind them 100% in their efforts.
Thanks Bug, I was beginning to feel like the only one.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]That is why I have instigated the NASC, for all of us to have the location species we desire, and relieve the "poaching" burden off of some locations, reducing the money aspect that seems to drive too many hobbyists. Anyone who needs a plant, just ask.
I know this and I fully support the NASC for these reasons
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]It will take time, effort, and work,
I have said many times that patience is a virtue. Thank you again for backing me on that.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]but with the people on these Forums, I think it can be done. Put in a good word for us (NASC), Pyro. We would like to help.
I have and will continue to. But like you mentioned, ABG is very gun shy of who they deal with and because of this I work at their pace. But I am still working.
[b said:
Quote[/b] ]It would be nice if the ABG would propagate some Georgia leucs for us, but they see their role as being something else. And they do that something else very well.
And thank you herenorthere. This encompases what I have been trying to get across. The ABG fill, and fulfills, the role it has set out for itself. And they do indeed do it well. It is a free country and you do not have to agree with what ABG does or how they do it but just because you do not agree does not mean that you are right and ABG is wrong.