Latest news with #Garden&Gun
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists team up with unlikely hero to track rare treasure buried underground: 'We were all pretty elated'
The newest conservator at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a bit…unconventional. Like his fellow researchers, he knows how to sniff out a vulnerable species. But instead of a paycheck, his work is rewarded by tennis balls and treats. Recently profiled in Garden & Gun, DJ — a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois — is a conservation detection dog using his powerful nose to help Atlanta researchers search for a rare and endangered orchid. Alongside biologist and trainer Karen DeMatteo, DJ is working to locate the elusive small whorled pogonia in Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Once widespread, the orchid species has been pushed to the brink by habitat loss, making DJ's work critical to its survival. As Garden & Gun explained, just as some dogs are trained to detect drugs or explosive devices, DJ is trained to find rare plants and animals using scent alone. And that's a valuable skill when it comes to the small whorled pogonia. Their bulbs can lie dormant underground for years if conditions are poor, making them nearly impossible for conservationists to spot. But DJ's specialized training enables him to identify the orchid's scent, even when it's not visible above ground. To find the often-hidden plant, DJ wanders off-leash through ferns and moss, zig-zagging across the forest floor to catch the plant's scent. Once he finds a bulb, he lies down in front of it and looks at his trainer. His reward? A tennis ball — and then he's off to find the next one. "We were all pretty elated," DeMatteo told Garden & Gun of the first time DJ located a small whorled pogonia. Conserving endangered plant species can be vital to local ecosystems, as these native plants often help keep the soil healthy, support pollinators, prevent soil erosion, and provide animals food and shelter. When they disappear, it can trigger a cascade of ecological consequences, disrupting the delicate balance that sustains biodiversity. That's why DJ's acute sense of smell is especially valuable to conservation efforts. DJ and DeMatteo hail from St. Louis, but have traveled the world sniffing out plant and animal species. DJ has used his powerful nose to find jaguars, ocelots, and even bush dogs, according to Garden & Gun. But it took a little time for DJ to find his calling as a conservation detection dog. DeMatteo told Garden & Gun that DJ failed out of the police academy after recruits found him to be "a little too intense." DeMatteo said DJ is "a spinning top of energy," adding that it's a quality that suits his taxing field work. Should we be digging miles beneath Earth's surface? No way Definitely Depends what it's for Depends where we do it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Over the next three summers, DJ and DeMatteo will return to forests in Georgia and North Carolina, where the small whorled pogonia was once known to grow, hoping DJ can pick up the scent of the elusive orchid. "It's so hard for us to say that a plant is extirpated or extinct," Emily Coffey, Atlanta Botanical Garden's vice president of conservation and research, told Garden & Gun. "To prove something 'isn't there' means you have to check all of the 'theres' that it could be." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Malaysian Reserve
23-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Garden & Gun to Launch New Digital Platform: G&G Weddings
Debuting November 1, 2025 CHARLESTON, S.C., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Garden & Gun, the definitive voice of Southern culture, announces the launch of G&G Weddings, a new digital destination dedicated to celebrating the art of the Southern wedding. Launching November 1, 2025, the platform will be available via Apple News, and through key partners and influential voices across the industry. Developed by the editors of G&G and guided by a global circle of celebrated experts in fashion, floral design, event planning, and hospitality, G&G Weddings is a dynamic resource for engaged couples, families, and planners—anyone involved in crafting a meaningful celebration. With content that blends time-honored tradition and modern sensibility, the platform provides thoughtful inspiration for all—brides and grooms, parents and friends—making it a must-read across generations. 'Like most people, my wedding remains one of the most meaningful days of my life—steeped in family, place, and personal style. With G&G Weddings, we're excited to explore how those same elements come to life for others across the South. This new platform allows us to tell beautifully layered stories—of love, tradition, celebration, and setting—in the way only G&G can.' David DiBenedetto, Senior Vice President & Editor in Chief The G&G Weddings offering includes: A digital issue ($12.99 download) A robust online hub featuring expanded editorial and sponsored content High-impact advertising opportunities for luxury brands Strategic promotion across print, digital, social media, and a national PR campaign For brand partners, G&G Weddings presents unique opportunities, including interactive placements, experiential activations, and custom digital storytelling solutions. 'G&G Weddings stands alone in the market—redefining wedding inspiration through immersive storytelling, timeless design, and a strong sense of place. Southern weddings are layered, multi-generational celebrations that our editorial team captures with elegance and depth. For luxury brands, it's an exceptional opportunity to connect with an audience who values heritage, beauty, and meaningful experiences.' Christian Bryant, Senior Vice President & Publisher Advertising close date: September 1, 2025. And more information can be found at About Garden & Gun Garden & Gun is a multiplatform media company that celebrates stories of the American South through powerful journalism, bold photography, exquisite design, and finely curated retail and experiential journeys. The brand is anchored by its award-winning national magazine launched in 2007, Garden & Gun, which reports on the South's sporting culture, food, music, art, literature, and its people and their ideas. The coveted audience of 1.6 million is further engaged through numerous New York Times best-selling books, Fieldshop by Garden & Gun retail experience, the Garden & Gun Club restaurants, and 75+ events each year. Visit Media Contact: Ashley Mills ashley@ 908.803.2604
