Now You See Them…But For How Long? New Exhibit Shines Light On Disappearing Trees

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – On September 9, Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat, a new exhibit from the Morton Arboretum will premier at Brookgreen Gardens and be on display daily through February 26, 2012. The purpose of the exhibit is to increase public awareness of the world’s endangered trees and to show how trees enrich our lives. The exhibit is free with garden admission.

You might not hear a lot about globally endangered trees, but it’s a problem as serious as the plight of endangered animals, said Bob Jewell, President and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. In many cases, they both are losing habitat to the same forces.  The exhibit helps people understand why we all must protect endangered trees, and how everyone can act as a champion for trees.

George Weich, Brookgreen’s Vice-President of Horticulture and Natural Areas explained, Although none of the trees represented in the exhibit are species that we have in the gardens, several are closely related to our trees, and we wanted to partner with Morton Arboretum to inform and educate our visitors about the threat to many species of trees throughout the world.

Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat is strategically placed along a pathway in Brookgreen’s Arboretum where visitors will walk and view 15 tree-shaped exhibit panels that portray compelling stories. World maps will show the countries where the endangered trees live and action steps to promote tree conservation efforts. Each story reflects the exhibit’s primary theme—to protect and save endangered trees so that future generations may experience the benefits of a forested environment.

The Morton Arboretum a world-renowned leader in tree science and education outside of Chicago, IL, developed and produced the exhibit in association with the Global Trees Campaign, a partnership between Fauna and Flora International and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Funding for this exhibit is provided by The Morton Arboretum and the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services, Museums for America Grant Program. Funding for the exhibit at Brookgreen was made possible through a generous gift from International Paper Foundation.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, an accredited out door museum, and non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open daily to the public.