Ginkgo Biloba & Biodiversity Projects
Ginkgo Biloba - The Great Miracle
Ginkgo biloba is a unique tree without any living botanical relatives. It is one of the most well-known examples of "a living fossil." The combination of good pest resistance, insect-proof wood, and the ability to form air roots and sprouts makes Ginkgo a very durable tree with a very long lifespan. Some specimens are considered to be more than 2500 years old; a 3000-year-old tree reportedly exists in China, in the province of Shandong.
For many centuries the species was considered extinct in the wild, but we now know that undomesticated Ginkgo trees currently exist in at least two small areas in Eastern China. Ginkgo is being grown worldwide in parks and gardens, since it is excellent at coping with toxic city environments and pests. Four Ginkgo trees have survived after the atomic explosion in Hiroshima, only about 1-2 km away from the site of the explosion.
Ginkgo biloba is among the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Its medicinal properties have been used in Chinese medicine for ages. Nevertheless, it has been known in the West for a relatively short period of time (several decades). Ginkgo leaves contain 198 active ingredients, which decrease cholesterol levels, maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, eliminate free radicals, stimulate the brain, and improve memory.
The Ginkgo biloba species has been included in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). Although Ginkgo trees are commonly planted and cultivated, the species is endangered and at risk of losing its biodiversity, because of people’s preference for male trees propagated mainly by cuttings.
Ginkgo has 7 symbolic qualities: Invincibility, Hope, Long life, Fertility, Sympathy, Friendship, Adaptability
Biodiversity projects
Vasil’s legacy includes thousands of trees from these three endangered species - Ginkgo biloba, Metasequoia glyptostroboides and Sequoia sempervirens - that receive continued care. He viewed trees as permanent land installations. Vasil’s vision, which is continued by his family/estate, included a publicly accessible Ginkgo forest which will contribute to the preservation of this important but endangered species.
Vasil was also a prominent Cardano Ambassador who believed that Cardano is the leader of third generation blockchains and as such has a positive effect on the well-being of humanity on a large scale. In Vasil's view, Cardano and Ginkgo share the characteristics of longevity, resilience and an enormous potential to contribute to the health of the planet. The VASIL staking pool serves the continuation of this vision by Vasil’s family, with a mission to provide the best service to its delegators and to contribute to preserving/enriching biodiversity of the unique endangered species Ginkgo Biloba. Read more