Conservation Update

The society is taking a special interest in Purdon Fen, where there are thousands of Cypripedium Reginae growing. This area was supported by government grants, but is now dependant on private donations. Society members are encouraged to donate through the "adopt-an-orchid" program.

Please click on this image to download a brochure giving details about Purdon Fen (in pdf format suitable for printing).

One of our members (Marilyn Light) is starting a detailed study of the propagation of the Cypripedium Reginae orchids, considering all aspects through pollination, seed setting, seed ripening, germination, growth and flowering. The first stage - re-establishing a 15 meter square grid of marker posts across most of the fen - was completed last fall. This will enable an accurate count of the plants (started during the summer of 1999) indicating where they are located, and will be compared with an earlier survey taken about 15 years ago to determine how the population has evolved in the intervening time.

The society is cooperating in this work with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, who have overall management responsibility for Purdon Fen.

Some recent photos taken at Purdon Fen in July 2002 (please click on the image to see a larger photo):

Anyone who attended the 2002 Plenary meeting of the OSG at the 17th World Orchid Congress (WOC) in Malaysia in April 2002, will be aware of moves to establish a new charity, Orchid Conservation International (OCI). A proposal was presented at that meeting, and an overwhelming vote was given in favour of its establishment. Subsequently, the proposal was also endorsed by the International Orchid Commission (IOC).

The Executive Summary from the proposal is copied below. If anyone would like to see a copy of the full proposal, please contact Shelagh Kell ( shelagh.kell@dial.pipex.com) and a copy will be sent to you by email attachment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT OCI WILL NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE OSG, BUT IS A NECESSARY STEP TO OVERCOME THE LIMITATIONS THE OSG CURRENTLY FACES.

In addition to endorsement by OSG members and non-members present at the plenary meeting, and by the IOC, the proposal has been favourably received by a number of other individuals and organisations, including Marie Selby Botanic Garden and members of the Board of Trustees of the AOS.

Two OCI Development Committee Meetings have been held to date. These have been attended by Ms. Shelagh Kell (OSG Executive Officer), Dr. Phillip Cribb (OSG Chair), Prof. Michael Hutchings (University of Sussex, England), Mr. Philip Seaton (Chair, OSG Ex situ Conservation Group) and Dr. David Roberts (RBG Kew). A number of other individuals have been included in the consultation process, including: Ms. Marilyn Light (Chair, North American Regional OSG and OSG Education Committee); Mr. Udai Pradhan (Chair, Indian Subcontinent Regional OSG); Dr. Henry Oakeley (Royal Horticultural Society); Dr. Kiat Tan (National Parks Board, Singapore); and Dr. Wendy Strahm (Plants Officer, IUCN Species Survival Programme).

We aim to have the charity established and registered by the autumn of 2002, and hope to launch OCI at EOC2003 in London, England next March.

We have received an initial donation from Mr. John Tan, and further donations have been pledged by Lady McNeice over the two years, 2003 and 2004. We estimate the cost of establishment of the charity in the first year to be in the region of £40,000.00 (~ US $60,000.00) and are now seeking further funding. A full break-down of the budget is included in the proposal.

-- Shelagh Kell
Executive Director Designate,
Orchid Conservation International Executive Officer,
IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group
36 Broad Street,
Lyme Regis,
Dorset, DT7 3QF, UK