Establishment of Orchid Conservation International
A new charity to promote and coordinate international efforts in orchid conservation, in conjunction with the IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group and other orchid conservation networks.
Those of you that attended the 2002 Plenary meeting of the OSG at the 17th WOC in Malaysia in April, will be aware of moves to establish a new charity, Orchid Conservation International. A proposal was presented at this 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 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), 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 this year and hope to launch OCI at EOC2003 in London 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 (c. US $60,000.00) and are now seeking further funding. A full break down of the budget is included in the proposal.
We would be grateful if you would forward this message to your networks, including botanic gardens, universities and orchid societies, or any individuals that you think may be interested in supporting this venture.
We look forward to your feedback.
Shelagh Kell
Phillip Cribb
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY "This document is an outline proposal for the establishment of Orchid Conservation International (OCI), a new charity to be registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (subject to Charity Commission requirements). OCI will work in conjunction with and in support of the existing IUCN Species Survival Commission's Orchid Specialist Group network (OSG), but will also involve other orchid conservation networks, and key players in the orchid world. The primary reason for this proposal is to set up an active charitable organisation that will have independent legal status, thus the ability to fundraise from governmental and non- governmental sources. OCI will act as the central coordinator of international efforts in orchid conservation, bringing the OSG and other orchid conservation networks into the formal, professional conservation sector."
Shelagh Kell
Executive Director Designate, Orchid Conservation International
Executive Officer, IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group
36 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QF, UK