Conservation
Monitoring for Conservation in West Virginia
The Native Orchid Conference, Inc.(NOC) has just made a $100 donation toward the continuation of several in-situ orchid conservation projects in West Virginia. This donation represents the NOC's commitment to the "1% For Orchid Conservation" (1 % FOC) program initiated in 2006. Last year(2007) the NOC contributed $50 to the Florida Panther Refuge to help with laboratory supplies.
In particular, the grant supports field study by an undergraduate biology major, Miss Julie Powelson of Shinnston, WV, who is working under the supervision of Dr. Katharine Gregg, Professor of Biology, West Virginia Wesleyan College.
The first project involves long-term monitoring of two populations that were grazed by deer some years ago. Careful monitoring of damage and recovery helps us better understand the importance of protecting critical orchid populations from herbivores.
A second project is monitoring seedling emergence and growth in a natural population where seedling production has been fairly constant in recent years. Observing where they come up relative to mature flowering plants and microclimate and how likely and how long they survive will help us better understand the requirements and timeline of seedling development in the wild.
The third project is looking at prolonged, or adult, dormancy, a little understood phenomenon that appears in many different species of terrestrial orchids. This project is investigating by experimental bud removal and by excavation what is actually going on underground when a plant does not send up an aerial shoot. Understanding why plants remain underground and whether it is beneficial or harmful should give us important information that will help conserve and manage orchid populations at risk.
At the 2009 conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the NOC Conservation Committee will be looking for another candidate to make a donation to in order to promote in-situ conservation of native orchids. If you have a question about "1% FOC " or a suggestion for the donation of "1% FOC " funds to a particular in-situ orchid conservation project, please contact our conservation committee through the NOC forum message board.
Many thanks to Dr. Katharine Gregg for writing up this article and for mentoring young, enthusiast undergraduate students like Julie Powelson in the field of orchid conservation. You rock Kathy.
1% for Orchid Conservation
The Orchid Conservation Coalition (OCC) is a partnership of orchid societies, businesses and conservation organizations dedicated to raise money and awareness for orchid conservation. Networking is at the heart of the OCC. The exchange of information among participants and non-profit orchid conservation organizations will make conservation a real aspect of orchid growing for the average orchid grower and orchid society. They can actively engage in and contribute to orchid conservation.
The OCC takes in no money and distributes no money. It is a "true" nonprofit organization. There are no membership dues. Membership is by participation. The OCC is a coaliton around a common interest - orchid conservation.
1 % for Orchid Conservation (1% FOC) - Organizations that participate in 1% FOC commit to budget 1% or more of their net revenue towards in situ conservation projects of their choice. The non-profit orchid conservation organizatin is not limited in choice of where a donation should go. Organizations can invest in their own in situ conservation projects. Small contributions from many can make a big impact on a large problem.
"It is a great idea that deserves to succeed not least because it involves a wide range of orchid enthusiasts more directly in supporting orchid conservation."" Phillip Cribb, Orchid Conservation News, Issue 7, November 2005, The Newsletter of the OSG of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
"an elegant and powerful consrvation strategy. I hope the idea catches on and spreads like wildfire." Harold Koopowitz, Orchid Digest, Jan., Feb., Mar. 2006, Vol. 70-1.