The emails that Tobias Policha, local seed grower and director of the Institute of Contemporary Ethnobotany, sent home during his July-September 2006 trip to Ecuador, only whetted our appetite for a fuller description of his adventures.

Scheduling his slideshow while still on the road in Ecuador, Tobias moved almost directly from airport to the Maitreya eco-village in Eugene to deliver a fascinating slide show and rap to a packed house, standing room only, which included many of our local botanizing luminaries. Geek out!

Here's a snapshot of just some of the images he showed us on the evening of Saturday, September 30, and a few of the faces in evidence that evening.

Don't miss the 3' earthworm!

Tobias, Heather and Nick, of the original Food Not Lawns collective, in a rare reunion snapshot, after Tobias' presentation.