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Ifpra world e-news
Newsletter Issue 30 – June 2009


Items for inclusion in the July edition need to be e-mailed to me at ifpraworldnews@aol.com by no later than 23 June.  Don’t forget that this also an opportunity to promote international events.  I look forward to hearing from you.  
Editor

Contents

Hong Kong

Launch of East Asian Games Volunteers Handprint Wall

www.lcsd.gov.hk
To celebrate the 200-day countdown of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) as well as pay tribute to the volunteers and sponsors for their support to the Games, a wall imprinted with their handprints has been unveiled in Kowloon Park. The international version of the EAG theme song, "You are the Legend", has also made its debut.  "The Hong Kong Jockey Club 2009 East Asian Games Volunteer Programme Volunteers Handprint Wall" consists of over 1000 handprints with about 800 handprints contributed by volunteers and 30 handprints by sponsors, showcasing their dedicated efforts to the success of the Games. The officiating guests, together with the representatives from nine EAG participating regions, made the handprints at the ceremony to show their collective efforts and create a legacy for the Games. "The wall and the hands pressed upon it are symbols of the common purpose – to stage the best Games – which unites us.  This in essence is what the event is really about: Everyone joining forces, taking civic pride and celebrating the Olympic spirit.  In this sense we are all Olympians," said the Hon Timothy Fok, the Under Secretary for Home Affairs
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U.K.

New report highlights the need to identify invasive species early

www.naturalengland.org.uk
To mark International Biodiversity Day 2009, Natural England has published a major report identifying the potential for a number of non-native animal species to increase in number in England and become invasive.  Non-native species pose one of the biggest threats to England’s natural biodiversity and ecosystems. Of 161 species evaluated, 84 were categorised as medium to high risk in terms of the likelihood of their becoming invasive and the disruption they could have on our natural environment and native wildlife. Species like the Egyptian goose, the African clawed toad and predators like the snapping turtle*, join rank with a wide range of birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects that are predicted to increase in number and have the potential to disrupt local habitats unless targeted action is taken to prevent their becoming established.  A number of non-native species are already established in England and in many cases - like American mink, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam – they have become invasive and have wiped out native competitors. By commissioning this reportNatural England is hoping to identify potential problem species, so that early action can be taken to prevent their spread. The partnership project to eradicate an infestation of rats on Lundy Island – enabling the rare Manx shearwater to raise chicks again - shows what can be done when targeted concerted action is taken.
Poul Christensen, Acting Chair for Natural England, said: “Non-native invasive species compete for food and habitat and sometimes carry viruses which our native wildlife often cannot fight off - the fate of our red squirrels, water voles and native bluebells is evidence of how dramatic the effects can be. The report we are publishing today highlights that new arrivals and the steady expansion of current populations of non-native species could have significant impacts on native wildlife and their habitats, disrupting the normal functioning of the natural environment. The key will be to anticipate where the main changes are likely to occur so that we can take targeted action to reduce their impacts.  We pay a high price for being underprepared for the spread of non-native species and for failing to address the very real threats they can pose - this report will help identify the problem species of the future, maintaining the delicate equilibrium of our natural environment and reducing impacts on businesses, like farming and fisheries, that rely on it.”
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Europe-Canada

European Landscape Contractors to visit WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary

www.elca.info    www.worldskills2009.com
The European Landscape Contractors Association is organising a study trip to Canada from 29 August to 8 September.  The Study Trip will take in the attractive parks of the City of Vancouver and the national parks of the legendary Rocky Mountains.  However, the highlight of the trip will be Calgary where the World Skills 2009 competition is being held.   Of particular interest to the group will be the landscape gardening competition. 

Calgary, which won the bid in 2004, is only the second Canadian host of this event in its long history.  This will be the largest independent event ever hosted at Calgary’s Stampede Park with over 900 competitors competing simultaneously in 45 skill categories.  The Competition, which is free to the public, takes place from September 2 - 5, 2009.  Events around the city will complement the 40th WorldSkills Competition, while showcasing Calgary to the world.

WorldSkills is a not for profit membership association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions. The organisation operates worldwide and is politically and denominationally neutral.   The biennial competition provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy.
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People’s Republic of China

Architects win competition to design Chinese cultural park

www.bdonline.co.uk 
Metamode Architects, a small practice founded by staff and students from London’s Bartlett School of Architecture has won an invited competition to design a cultural park on the site of a former mine in Heyuan City, China.  The Hakka Cultural Park project includes a 6,000sq m museum of traditional Chinese Hakka culture, a 20,000sq m city library and a 3,200sq m planning exhibition hall as well as a 1.3km-long strip of park land and a viewing platform.  The Hakka people are a subgroup of the Han Chinese and the design includes a series of circular dials, echoing the design of traditional Hakka buildings and pointing to the regions around the world to which the Hakka have migrated.  The Hakka buildings have been primary form that has inspired the design of the Museum.  Each of the built structures on the site symbolises a key moment in the migratory history of the Hakka, with square shapes created by the building forms used to frame vistas across the park.  The projected 20,000sq m city library is due to be completed in time for a festival celebrating Hakka culture in 2010, and Metamode is partnered with CABR, the Chinese building research and standards organisation, to ensure smooth delivery.
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U.K.

Councils shake off cotton wool culture relating to children’s play

www.lga.gov.uk
The Local Government Association (LGA) claims that local councils are leading the way in shaking off the “cotton wool culture” and allowing children to enjoy the rough and tumble of traditional play.  It invites the public to comment on a movement towards more adventurous play for children.  LGA research has found that council run playgrounds have dismissed the “no balls allowed” ethos to introduce zip wires, climbing structures and tree houses. The revamped playgrounds have been funded by £235m announced as part of the children’s plan in 2007, and councils are set to refurbish more than 3,500 playgrounds by 2011.  Holiday play schemes are also part of councils’ work to counter the risk aversion culture, offering activities such as circus skills and BMX biking.

Woking borough council began to promote ‘free play’ last summer with a stunt school allowing young people to free-fall from a scaffolding tower onto an inflatable air bag below. This year it hopes to bring in ‘fire play’ – supervised sessions for children to burn wood and other flammables.  Children’s activities development officer Ashley Rogers said: “Last year’s event was hugely successful, which I think shows how much young people enjoy an element of risk in their play, and how parents are willing to let them try.

Thanet district council has opened a Viking themed play area with play ship and maze, and offers seashore safaris and surfing during holidays; and in Worcester the council has spent £127,000 on a super play park with separate areas for teenage and younger children, featuring an assault course and zip wire.

Cllr Margaret Eaton, chairman of the LGA, said: “Children need the opportunity to have adventures, and it’s fantastic that councils are helping provide so many places where that can happen. Crucially, going to a playground or a park is free. Families don’t have to spend a fortune on a day at a theme-park for children to enjoy some thrills and spills.   Children benefit from physical activity and even some rough and tumble. We do our youngsters no favours by wrapping them up in cotton-wool, which can prevent them from developing skills they’ll need in their adult life. The idea that councils are dominated by health and safety rules is being exposed for the myth it’s always been.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) is a voluntary lobbying organisation that acts as the voice of the local government in the U.K. 
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New Zealand

Tiger attack raises safety questions for wildlife park management

www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz
One of the senior cat handlers at Zion Wildlife Gardens was attacked and tragically killed by one of the tigers when he was about to clean a cage. The white tiger involved was shot by a member of the staff at the time of the attack.  White tigers are rare, but are a genetic mutation and not a separate strain.  The event is being investigated by the authorities and the park will be closed until further notice.  One of the experiences promoted by the park is a “tiger walk” where members of the public can walk within an arm’s length of tigers and actually be able to pat them.  Since the incident staff have been banned from contact with the big cats and questions are being asked by the press about the level of compliance with health and safety regulations.  It is understood that The Department of Labour has served two "improvement notices" on the park and there have been claims in the press that the support staff at the park were under-qualified and overworked.  The Park management has not commented on these allegations and is currently focusing on supporting the family of the employee who died and his colleagues. 
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Ireland

Minister opens latest restoration phase of Woodstock Gardens

www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie
On 21 May Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism officially open the latest phase in the restoration and development of the Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in the village of Inistioge, County Kilkenny. Carved out of the Kilkenny landscape, the setting is a complex of formal and informal gardens, which includes an arboretum with specimen trees from Asia and South America, a rose garden, yew walk and terraced garden.   The phase of the project opened by the Minister includes the restoration of the Winter Garden, Arboretum, Walled Garden and Flower Terrace. Earlier phases of the project included the restoration of the Turner Conservatory, the addition of a rustic summer-house and the installation of a fountain to replace the original. More than €2.1m has already been invested in this project.  Minister Cullen expressed his pleasure that this work was allocated significant funds from Fáilte Ireland under the Tourism Product Development Scheme, which was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  “This is a very worthwhile investment,” he stated, “which in tourism terms is already paying dividends through increasing visitor numbers to Inistioge and Woodstock.”   Further development of the garden is planned and Kilkenny County Council is working with tourism providers in the area to promote Woodstock as part of a South East Heritage Trail.  It was noted that Fáilte Ireland’s annual Visitor Attitudes Survey consistently identifies Ireland’s Heritage and Culture as a key motivator amongst overseas visitors in their decision to holiday in Ireland.
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Malaysia

Ministry of Tourism inspired by gardens in France and the Netherlands

www.bernama.com
The Ministry of Tourism in Kuala Lumpur recently arranged a sales mission to Europe where members visited gardens in the Netherlands and France.  They were surprised to discover the level of interest in exotic flowering plants exhibited in European greenhouses that grow very readily in Malaysia.  The Tourism Ministry now plans to develop gardens and parks all over the country as tourism products with the potential to attract foreign as well as local tourists.  Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen suggested that local gardens and parks such as the Titiwangsa and Taiping lake gardens, as well as parks in Putrajaya, Melaka and Johor Baharu, could be developed into signature tourism products.  "The gardens must be beautifully designed, taking into account colour combination and lighting, and they should showcase mostly the country's native flowers and plants," she said  The Minister was impressed by the garden designers of the Monet Garden in France and intends to seek advice from the chief gardener.  The Ministry also wishes to upgrade the floral festival in Malaysia to a level that would equal the Chelsea Flower Show in the U.K. 

EVENTS DIARY

2009, June 15-17
2009 Ifpra European Congress – Modern Society:  Balance with Nature –
Mikkeli, Finland

Contact:  Viljo Muuronen on viljo.muuronen@mikkeli.fi
www.ifpraeuropemikkeli.com/fi/sisalto/

2009, June 28-July 3
V International Symposium on Horticultural Research, Training and Extension, Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Info: Dr. Peter J. Batt, Horticulture, Curtin University of Technology, GPO box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Phone: (61)8 9266 7596, Fax: (61)8 9266 3063, E-mail: p.batt@curtin.edu.au or Associate Professor Dr. David Aldous, 37 McCartney Street, Ormiston, QLD 4160, Australia. Phone: (61)07 3821 2082 Web: www.muresk.curtin.edu.au/conference/ishset

2009, July 22-23
Kildare Show
Punchestown Event Centre in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland
www.kildaregrowers.ie

2009, Sept 19 – Nov 23
Hamamatsu International Mosaiculture:  An Exposition of Horticultural Art
Hamamatsu, Japan
mih2009.com/english/index.html

2009, October 5-7
Creating Liveable Communities after 2010
The Institute of Environment and Recreation Management’s Annual Convention
Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg
www.ierm.org.zaFax 086 687 1222  Email marisa@vdw.co.za

2009, October 8 – 12
International Awards for Liveable Communities (The LivCom Awards)
Finals, Pilsen, Czech Republic
www.livcomawards.com     info@livcomawards.com

2009, October 14-16
Ireland's Landscape Conference
Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
www.heritagecouncil.ie

2009, October 21-23
International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Contact Chistine Bavassa on efla.exsec@gmail.com
www.46ifla2009.com.br

2009, November 19-21
Urban Forestry Conference:  Lessons for Sustainable Development
Malaysia
www.frim.gov.my   Email sreetheran@frim.gov.my

2010

International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress
Suxiu, China
Contact Chistine Bavassa on efla.exsec@gmail.com

2010, April 11-16
Healthy Parks Health People – Inauguaral International Conference
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia
www.healthyparkshealthypeoplecongress.org

2010, July 6-8
International Trials Conference:  Assessment of Ornamental Plants
www.rhs.org.uk/plants/ornamentals2010.asp

2010  August 22-27
28th International Horticultural Congress - IHC2010, Lisbon (Portugal)
Theme: Science and Horticulture for People
Info: Prof. Dr. António A. Monteiro, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Technical University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal. Phone: (351)213653451, Fax: (351)213623262, E-mail: amonteiro@isa.utl.pt or Dr. Víctor Galán Saúco, Inst. Canario de Inv. Agrar., I.C.I.A., Apartado 60, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. Phone: (34)922476321, Fax: (34)922476303, E-mail: vgalan@icia.es E-mail symposium: info@ihc2010.org Web: www.ihc2010.org

2010, November
Ifpra World Congress:  Quality Services – ‘Parks, Recreation and Tourism'
Hong Kong www.ifpraasiapacific.org/ifpra_world_congress_2010.htm

2011

International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress
Switzerland
Contact Chistine Bavassa on efla.exsec@gmail.com

2011 July 24-30
XVIII International Botanical Congress
Melbourne Australia
www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/ibc-2011/

2012

International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress
South Africa
Contact Chistine Bavassa on efla.exsec@gmail.com

2012, Apr-Oct
Floriade:  Be part of the theatre in nature – get closer to the quality of life
GreenPark Venlo, Netherlands
www.floriade.com/

2013

International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress

Auckland, New Zealand.