08.08.05
Cactus Rescue
Heather asked about the cactus rescue I went on, where I got my beautiful Mammillaria microcarpa. Read on for more information.
Larger Arizona municipalities, such as Phoenix, now require developers to survey land to be developed and mark all trees, saguaros, and barrel cacti over a certain size. The law also requires developers to harvest these large plants. There is a market for these plants and the developers are willing to cooperate. There are companies that do nothing but harvest large plants from land to be developed, and they wholesale the harvested plants to retailers. Unfortunately, the small plants don’t have to be saved unless the plant is federally protected. The smaller specimens usually get bulldozed. (CACSS) There don’t appear to be any federally protected species in the Phoenix metro area.
The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society (CACSS), an affiliate of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, sponsors periodic cactus rescues in the Phoenix Metro area, in which smaller cactus and succulent specimens are collected, tagged, and then sold to the general public to raise money for future rescues and other Society activities. The work of the rescuers has multiple benefits to the Society and the larger public. The Society gets money to put on different activities supporting educational efforts regarding cacti and succulents, and you and I can purchase otherwise unavailable or unaffordable cacti and succulents for reasonable prices.
To participate in a rescue event, you need to be a member of CACSS. I think that this is because of liability issues. You don’t have to sign up ahead of time, you can show up and become a member at the rescue event. You can either participate as a digger/collector, or you can help out with tagging and recording. It’s a really interesting few hours out of your weekend, and you are doing something good for the world. More more information, visit CACSS and review the information under the “Cactus Rescue” link.
Heather said,
August 9, 2005 at 8:46 am
This is facinating! I never knew about any of this. I’m thinking of signing up. However, I should read up on taking care of cactus. Don’t want to adopt one and kill it. Ask my tomato plant. Who knew you can’t grow tomatoes here in the summer?