The nonprofit organisation Botanical Dimensions*, formed and governed by ethnobotanist Kathleen Harrison – our host – has since the early 1980’s been managing a property of 8 acres in the Southwest coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. The fundamental vision of “BD” lies in safeguarding ethnobotanical diversity. Already back then Kathleen, together with former husband Terence McKenna, took measure against the ecocide of rainforests around the globe. A tragedy still on-going today.
“We collected a lot of species in different parts of the world that we brought here and planted along the trails, as teaching examples, as a repository of the genetics of these powerful and culturally significant plants.”
Ethnobotanist Kathleen Harrison, interviewed by Linnea in February 2017.
Upon arrival, the state of the trail was somewhat overgrown. In some places the gorgeous native fern trees had fallen over the trail and certain invasive species had taken root and spread vigorously in any open space. Heavy rain and flash floods have eroded the slopes, with the assistance of the non native wild boar. The forest is in a constant flux, ever changing, making management precarious and challenging to plan. Whilst planning this project, Kathleen notified us of a certain unpredictability that in her experience comes with the “volcanic vibe”. This has certainly expressed itself in many ways.
A most curious part of this project is definitely the trail. Over the next few weeks Finn, Kathleen and Terence’s son, we will be staying with us at BD, during which time we will stay in a tent under a shelter by the very beginning of the trail. This means that we will share a intimate relationship with the plants and animals of the forest.
The ecosystem is quite different to what we are used to in Sweden, yet the same fundamental principles apply. We look to the ground for ground cover, moss, fungi, and shrubs. There are bushes, ferns and smaller trees making a lower canopy amongst the large pillar-like trees, reaching far above the forest floor. Meandering vines, big and small, droop and cling to branches. Birds, and critters scurry about, and the atmosphere is humid and hot. Life is constantly on the move in ecosystems without winter. It is growing, blossoming, reproducing, spreading, competing for light and water, trading nutrients and chemical defence.
In the coming weeks we will be sharing more information on the plants, the work with mapping the area and sample collection, as we further explore our new environment.
Below is a list of references with information on Botanical Dimensions by its founder Kathleen and Terence:
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