Building on the success of last year’s speaking events, Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT) is excited to invite audiences once again to hear internationally known conservationist Mark Plotkin, Ph.D., share his experience on Amazon conservancy on Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg. A reception will follow in the Daywood Lobby. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Reservations are recommended. For more information, contact the GVT Box Office at 304-645-3838.
Plotkin has spent the past 30 years examining indigenous plant use in Central and South America. He studied with elder shamans to learn traditional medicine with native plants. Based on his experiences Plotkin authored “Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice” and co-authored the children’s book “Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice – A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest” with Lynne Cherry.
He shared his personal experience with the healing properties of the Amazon in the eye-opening CNN article titled “A foot injury? Give me your machete!” The account gives insight into the power of effective holistic medicine.
The conservationist not only consults the shamans not only for their medical knowledge but also for their assistance in preserving the Amazon rainforest. When Plotkin and his wife, Liliana Madirgal, co-founded the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), in 1996, they made it a priority to cultivate a partnership with the native tribes to assist in conservation.
ACT emphasizes that the collaboration is practical because indigenous people are natural stewards of the land. The organization has facilitated working relationships between native communities and government environmental agencies to protect forests. ACT has also been actively mapping over 70 million acres of the rainforest to aid in prioritizing protection. In 2008, ACT was awarded the Skoll Foundation’s Award for Social Entrepreneurship for their efforts to slow deforestation.
Plotkin’s presentation promises to be exciting and engaging for audiences of all ages. For more information on his appearance at Greenbrier Valley Theatre Sept. 15, contact the GVT Box Office at 304-645-3838.
