For our research focus and project, we are focusing on how extractive colonial practices continue to impact the Missouri Botanical Gardens. We have been partnered with the MOBOT for about a year and a half now doing work to investigate our research focus. We have revealed the problem, done a project explaining what it is, did another project explaining where we wanted to go next, and now here we are with a concept and a plan on how to bring our work to life.
The concept of our project is video modules. The video modules will be set up as an interactive and engaging way for MOBOT visitors to learn more about the specific history of plants and initiatives in the Garden, while also allowing for visitors to explore the gardens at their own pace. Our plan to bring this idea to life is to use data we have collected to build these modules surrounding various topics.
Colonization itself is essentially the act of settling over an Indigenous group for one’s own benefit. Extractive colonialism focuses on the idea of taking things from other cultures and places and bringing them over for personal use and benefit. With all that being said, because of our topic, what we are researching has deep ties to the Colombian Exchange and western civilization in general. For one of our modules, we are hoping to focus on the MOBOTS work in Madagascar. The focal point for their work in Madagascar is “conducting biodiversity research and supporting ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge” (Missouri Botanical Gardens website). After having a research presence in the 1970s, MOBOT established permanent operations in Madagascar in the 1980s.
By centering a module on the MOBOT’s work in Madagascar, we are trying to demonstrate initiatives that the garden has already taken to repair the impacts of extractive colonialism. This module will most likely be close to the end. It will focus on what the MOBOT is doing in Madagascar and what the impact has been so far. We are hoping to gather more data for this specific module by speaking with Armand Randrianasolo. Randrianasolo came here as a grad student over 30 years ago and is an expert on a plant family in Madagascar. He started working with conservation and has been really receptive of what really works due to his background. With his help, we will try to make this module as informative and engaging as possible to educate people more on what the MOBOT does.
“It is the best program in my opinion” – Ashley Glenn, speaking on letting people from Madagascar themselves help and lead on the projects.