Saving Rare Biodiverse Botanical Nursery
Donation protected
Background:
Leon Massoth is a lifelong botanist that is about to lose his exotic nursery and business, Xotx-Tropico. Leon has grown a collection of the most extraordinary species of plants from around the world for over three decades. He has created a biodiverse forest on a small lot in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Developers that own the plot of land have unexpectedly and forcefully given him an immediate move out date. At any moment, construction will commence and if all contents of the nursery are not vacated, they will be DESTROYED and KILLED. Leon has contacted the city of West Hollywood, city council members, as well as personal connections for any help but to no avail. We are working tirelessly to avoid this horrific event becoming a reality as well as creating a solution to preserve as many species as possible.
We are contacting YOU to help save one of the most biodiverse plant collections in California and quite possibly the United States. With your donation, you would protect some of the rarest, critically endangered (CR) and near extinct species of plants from around the world. We are in the 11th hour and every cent will greatly help save an astonishing nursery and a man’s livelihood.
Mission:
To vacate as many specimens as soon as possible, purchase land to house all plants, construct new botanical nursery, create new business, design educational programs, finance botanical field research and support Leon and employees.
Use of Funds:
After extensive planning, we have found several potential properties to help construct a new nursery and botanical educational center. Your donations will help fund the following:
· Payment for property:
o First and final security deposits for the purchasing of the property
o Property down payment
· Moving costs to new location:
o Transportation of all plants
o Labor for removing, loading and unloading materials
o Moving equipment
· Utilities and materials to house and care for botanical collection
· Security system equipment and upgrades for the facility
· Social media outreach and marketing
· Living expenses for Leon and employees during transitional period
Sources / Media:
Story by Spectrum 1 News:
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/human-interest/2020/01/17/plant-store-owner-pleads-for-help-to-save-his-horticultural-sanctuary#
Story by KTLA 5 News:
https://ktla.com/2020/01/09/xotx-tropicals-in-west-hollywood-set-to-shut-down/
Story by LAist:
https://laist.com/2020/01/17/xotx_tropico_west_hollywood_nursery_evicted_vacate_rare_exotic_plants.php
Story by WEHOville:
https://www.wehoville.com/2019/11/02/xotx-tropica-wehos-botanical-museum-may-be-closing/
Story by KCRW (a local radio station):
https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/greater-la/housing-development-uproots-botanical-museum-in-west-hollywood/a-west-hollywood-botanical-museum-will-soon-be-uprooted
Change.org petition:
https://www.change.org/p/city-of-west-hollywood-city-council-save-our-flora
Leon Massoth’s Contact information:
XOTX - Tropico 900 North Fairfax Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 323 [phone redacted] // Fax: [phone redacted]
Website: https://www.xotxtropico.com/
Instagram: @xotxtropico
About the Organizer:
My name is Ryan Boyle and I am a longtime friend and patron of Leon. As a Biomedical Engineer, a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM), I believe conservation of flora is one of the most important matters at hand. Mass manufacturing, ever expanding populations and commercialized farming are destroying biodiversity on a massive scale worldwide. Saving Leon’s collection is the first small step that will create the momentum for a worldwide natural conservation plan as well as spreading advanced botanical knowledge to the public. Leon’s exotic collection coupled with his expansive botanical knowledge can be the catalyst to create a greener future! I would like to personality thank every single person that has gotten involved with this pursuit. I am looking forward to fighting for this cause and hope you join in!
Please feel free to contact me regarding this project. I am working directly with Leon and would happily address any comments, questions or concerns.
Ryan Boyle
Email: [email redacted]
Phone: (951) 833 - 8104
Leon Massoth is a lifelong botanist that is about to lose his exotic nursery and business, Xotx-Tropico. Leon has grown a collection of the most extraordinary species of plants from around the world for over three decades. He has created a biodiverse forest on a small lot in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Developers that own the plot of land have unexpectedly and forcefully given him an immediate move out date. At any moment, construction will commence and if all contents of the nursery are not vacated, they will be DESTROYED and KILLED. Leon has contacted the city of West Hollywood, city council members, as well as personal connections for any help but to no avail. We are working tirelessly to avoid this horrific event becoming a reality as well as creating a solution to preserve as many species as possible.
We are contacting YOU to help save one of the most biodiverse plant collections in California and quite possibly the United States. With your donation, you would protect some of the rarest, critically endangered (CR) and near extinct species of plants from around the world. We are in the 11th hour and every cent will greatly help save an astonishing nursery and a man’s livelihood.
Mission:
To vacate as many specimens as soon as possible, purchase land to house all plants, construct new botanical nursery, create new business, design educational programs, finance botanical field research and support Leon and employees.
Use of Funds:
After extensive planning, we have found several potential properties to help construct a new nursery and botanical educational center. Your donations will help fund the following:
· Payment for property:
o First and final security deposits for the purchasing of the property
o Property down payment
· Moving costs to new location:
o Transportation of all plants
o Labor for removing, loading and unloading materials
o Moving equipment
· Utilities and materials to house and care for botanical collection
· Security system equipment and upgrades for the facility
· Social media outreach and marketing
· Living expenses for Leon and employees during transitional period
Sources / Media:
Story by Spectrum 1 News:
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/human-interest/2020/01/17/plant-store-owner-pleads-for-help-to-save-his-horticultural-sanctuary#
Story by KTLA 5 News:
https://ktla.com/2020/01/09/xotx-tropicals-in-west-hollywood-set-to-shut-down/
Story by LAist:
https://laist.com/2020/01/17/xotx_tropico_west_hollywood_nursery_evicted_vacate_rare_exotic_plants.php
Story by WEHOville:
https://www.wehoville.com/2019/11/02/xotx-tropica-wehos-botanical-museum-may-be-closing/
Story by KCRW (a local radio station):
https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/greater-la/housing-development-uproots-botanical-museum-in-west-hollywood/a-west-hollywood-botanical-museum-will-soon-be-uprooted
Change.org petition:
https://www.change.org/p/city-of-west-hollywood-city-council-save-our-flora
Leon Massoth’s Contact information:
XOTX - Tropico 900 North Fairfax Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 323 [phone redacted] // Fax: [phone redacted]
Website: https://www.xotxtropico.com/
Instagram: @xotxtropico
About the Organizer:
My name is Ryan Boyle and I am a longtime friend and patron of Leon. As a Biomedical Engineer, a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM), I believe conservation of flora is one of the most important matters at hand. Mass manufacturing, ever expanding populations and commercialized farming are destroying biodiversity on a massive scale worldwide. Saving Leon’s collection is the first small step that will create the momentum for a worldwide natural conservation plan as well as spreading advanced botanical knowledge to the public. Leon’s exotic collection coupled with his expansive botanical knowledge can be the catalyst to create a greener future! I would like to personality thank every single person that has gotten involved with this pursuit. I am looking forward to fighting for this cause and hope you join in!
Please feel free to contact me regarding this project. I am working directly with Leon and would happily address any comments, questions or concerns.
Ryan Boyle
Email: [email redacted]
Phone: (951) 833 - 8104
Organizer
Ryan Boyle
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
