Go out on a limb: Tell us what you do for a living.
I look at sustainability in terms of how people use plants for medicine, construction, spiritual practices, food and anything else you can think of.
Is it intimidating to be named a leader in the future of science by
National Geographic?
Hadn’t occurred to me. I’m into it.
You’ve said, “Looking at conservation without including people in the equation is a fantasy.” How much do people factor into the equation?
Since there are almost no places in the world where people do not have an impact, I figure they play as important a role in the equation as the land itself.
Any particular creepy creature you’ve encountered in the rainforest or savannah you hope never to share underbrush with again?
I once slid my foot into my shoe and realized that my toes weren’t alone. I then watched as a tarantula dizzily scurried out over the top of my rubber boot.
Plant in our minds an average day in the field.
I wake up far too early as the howler monkeys call, stiffly slip my body down to the river to wash, walk with villagers through the forest collecting plants, then return to sit by the fire and listen while everyone laughs at how many times I fell.
You record local plant uses in Ecuador, the Galapagos, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. How do you distribute the information for future generations?
I make booklets in the local language (with drawings for those you can’t read). Also, just showing an interest in people’s knowledge helps keep the information alive.
Are you made in the mold of Dian Fossey, or do you fancy more the fearless-
into-the-unknown Jacques Cousteau style?
Ooh … I was going more for Indiana Jones.
The truth: How are you with houseplants?
Pretty scary, really. I have ones that crawl all over my walls. Makes people nervous.
We’re a country obsessed with immediate gratification. What can we do to leave some leaves for later?
Start with the easy stuff to change in our daily habits. Once that is done, move to a tree house in the boonies and protect your view.
What’s the next step for securing the planet’s botanical future? Remember, Al Gore’s listening.
Hmm … is the Nobel Prize committee listening? As my mother quoted to me when I was 8 years old and selling guavas from our tree for the environment: “Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is important that you do it.” (Gandhi)