Barry Rice
Barry Rice is an astronomer. How he came to work as an invasive species specialist with The Nature Conservancy is a long story. He is former Director of Conservation Programs for the International Carnivorous Plant Society, and was the managing editor of its peer-reviewed botanical journal Carnivorous Plant Newsletter.
An accomplished botanical photographer, his work can be seen at his on-line gallery and carnivorous plant FAQ.
His first book on carnivorous plants was published by Timber Press in 2006.
Posts by Barry Rice:
As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap
Is there a statute of limitations for poaching?
You see, one of my interests is carnivorous plants, and I’m particularly fond of pitcher plants in the genus Sarracenia. (Proof: I own Sarracenia.com!) These plants are easy to grow, and there’s a large horticultural community that loves them. They’re great plants — dramatic, showy, and just plain [...]
Posted: February 9th, 2009 under Conservation Issues, United States.
Tags: carnivorous, ethics, horticulture, mutant, pitcher plant, poaching, sarracenia
Comments: 8
Here, Fishy Fishy Fishy
Maybe it’s because I actually bought the Billy Idol Christmas Album. Or maybe it’s because my street skates have wheels about 7” in diameter. But I’ve got a reputation for being fascinated by the absurd.
That may explain why, within the last week, three (count ‘em, three) associates have notified me about PETA’s sea kitten campaign.
If [...]
Posted: January 26th, 2009 under Coral Reefs, Fresh Water, Media.
Tags: Fish, language, viral web sites
Comments: 2
When Invasives Go Bad. Really Bad.
This week, scientists at the Australian Antarctic Division published a paper in the Journal of Applied Ecology about invasive species, relating a story that boggles the mind.
Start with Macquarie Island, located between New Zealand and Antarctica, and the property of Tasmania. Its surface area is only about 128 square kilometers, so you really have to be [...]
Posted: January 16th, 2009 under Animals, Australia, Birds, Invasive species.
Tags: Animals, Barry Rice, feral cats, Invasive species, Norway rat, penguin, rabbits
Comments: 4
Forgive Me Mother Nature, For I Have Sinned
I’m pretty good at Being Green.
I rollerblade to/from work; I recycle and compost; I buy organic; I try to reuse, instead of buying new. (Although that last bit may reflect my income more than natural proclivity.)
But I think I may have undone all my good karma with a single, terrible transgression…
My lovely wife and I [...]
Posted: January 10th, 2009 under Invasive species.
Tags: Barry Rice, fig, Invasive species
Comments: 19
Enough With the ‘War on Weeds,’ Already!
Just about every popular article talking about invasive species management uses the same tiresome clichés of wars and battles. It was cute once, but it has gotten old.
Worse still, these clichés are now threatening to bite us in the bum.
OK, I admit that I used the lame War on Weeds terminology myself; it was early [...]
Posted: December 31st, 2008 under Invasive species, Media.
Tags: Barry Rice, Invasive species, language, public relations, war on weeds
Comments: none
Invasive Species: Keeping It Real
Cowardly euphemisms annoy me.
You know what I’m talking about — the politically correct but emotionally insincere phrases we use when discussing uncomfortable topics such as physical disabilities or losing a job.
Cloying and irritating euphemisms often insinuate themselves into the language of conservation workers who are working on invasive species issues. And if the work involves [...]
Posted: December 17th, 2008 under Animals, Birds, Invasive species.
Tags: animal rights, Barry Rice, euphemisms, feral cats, Invasive species, public relations
Comments: 1
