Second International Orchid Conservation Conference

May 16-21, 2004, Sarasota, Florida, USA

Adapted from a presentation at http://www.orchidsafari.org on June 9, 2004

The weather was downright fine, the company enjoyable and the learning opportunities many when 131 scientists, students, teachers, and conservation practitioners from 21 countries gathered at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, USA, to hear about conservation practice and research from around the globe. At the 2^nd International Orchid Conservation Conference there were oral presentations, posters, workshops and mixers, all designed to promote curiosity, understanding, and to help forge new links between conservation practitioners.

The Selby Botanical Gardens are located nearby on the shore of this bay, a location that is providential to planted material since damaging frosts are a rarity. button

Before the conference began, there were two very useful and educational workshops, namely a one-day Mycorrhizal Propagation Workshop presented by Scott Stewart, a doctoral student at the University of Florida, and a two-day Population Dynamics Workshop led by Prof. Raymond Tremblay of the University of Puerto Rico and Dr. Pavel Kindlmann of the Czech Republic. During the mycorrhizal workshop, we learned how to isolate fungi and germinate seeds symbiotically. The participants in the Population Dynamics workshop learned about appropriate methods of data collection and how to use the numbers to predict population behavior.

On Sunday, May 16, those with posters set them up in the on-site mansion where an enjoyable welcome reception followed. Not only was the human company warm and friendly but we were also greeted by a wonderful patch of Epidendrum radicans blooming outside the Activity Center. button

A challenging Keynote Address was given on May 17 by Dr. Stuart Pimm, Duke University. He asked: "Do you know where your orchids are?" Most of the estimated 25,000 species grow in tropical forests that are shrinking rapidly. Using the Atlantic Coast Forest of Brazil as an example, he presented the ways and means of establishing conservation priorities that are both practical and attainable. Dr. Robert Dressler addressed that oft posed question: "How many Orchid Species?" and replied that the current estimate is 24,500 and counting! Michael Duncan, Victoria, Australia, outlined some of the Specific Threats to Orchids in his State including introduced flora, fauna and a fungal pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamoni.

Integrated Approaches to Conservation were addressed by various workers in this field including Jorge Orejuela, Cali Botanical Garden, Colombia who emphasized environmental education; and Margaret From of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo who reported a successful orchid conservation project with Madagascar where technology was transferred to local stakeholders.

On Tuesday, May 18, the opening topic was Conservation Education. Marilyn Light, Chair of the Education Committee, Orchid Specialist Group, spoke about the importance of reaching children during the interval when their appreciation of interdependence with nature is being entrenched (6 to 12 years). She used as an example, Showy lady's-slippers, Cypripedium reginae, as an educational tool for children, parents and conservation managers. Wilella Stimmell provided an entertaining and stimulating 'hands-on' Elementary School Workshop developed from an initiative of the Orchid Society of Arizona in the mid 90's where terrariums fashioned from recycled bleach bottles serve as growth chambers for small Phalaenopsis. Denise Wilson of the Denver Orchid Society explained how Partners for Colorado Native Plants are now working with the Denver Botanic Gardens to recruit and train volunteers to gather data about wild orchids in their State. The San Diego County Orchid Society conservation grant program was initiated in 1991. SDCOS Conservation Committee Chair, Peter Tobias outlined the remarkable program accomplishments. Isaias Rolando, Peru, spoke about the importance of conservation education in his country, using the 15-year example of work being done in the area of Macchu Picchu.

Identification of orchids in trade, particularly of rare species in illicit trade that are seized when not in flower, is of on-going concern. Cheryl Morrison, US Geological Survey, spoke of an interesting and challenging project where molecular markers are being assessed as a means to discriminate between members of the Cypripedium Alliance (Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Selenipedium and Mexipedium). A robust discussion of the whys and wherefores of CITES was the topic of the afternoon. Posters and Reception followed.

On May 19, participants had a choice between field trips, a Terrestrial Orchid Propagation Workshop and a tour of the Selby Garden and facilities. The half-day workshop presented by Andrew Batty (Australia) gave some very useful ideas to the participants. After lunch, those taking the tour had a chance to visit behind the scenes including the orchid collection, library, laboratories, and herbarium as well as the beautiful gardens set along the shores of Sarasota Bay. We began with a tour of the show houses. button Here we found a large number of interesting orchids and other plants as well such as these showy bromeliads button There were also several Nepenthes, tropical pitcher plants. button

Among the orchids seen was the Florida native, Cyrtopodium punctatum (the Cow Horn or Cigar Orchid).button

We also saw many Encyclias, each with a slightly different perfume. Encyclia bractescens is a spring-blooming compact epiphyte from Mexico and Central America. button

Enc. diurna var. alba is a lovely species from the northern part of South America. button

Enc. rufa is a Bahamian species which grows both epiphytically and on rocks. button

A beautiful yet rarely seen Laeliopsis (Broughtonia) domingoensis rated two pictures. This species hails from the coastal parts of Hispaniola. button button

Other New World species in bloom included Myrmecophila brysiana having some unbelievable colors. This Central American species is closely related to Myrm. tibicinis. button There was also a magnificent specimen of the Brazilian Laelia lobata var. concolor 'Jeni'. button

The color and texture of Stelis argentata (syn. leucopogon) blooms was quite remarkable. button

Among the more exotic plants were Grammatophyllum scriptum from Southeast Asia. button Gram. speciosum produces incredibly long inflorescences up to 10 feet long. The flowers are equally impressive, measuring almost 3 in diameter. button

There was an interesting primary hybrid Bc Saint Andre (B. nodosa x C. dowiana). button

Eulophia guineensis (Africa) was in full flower. button

There was an unusual (for me) two-flowered Bulbophyllum named Bulb. biflorum from Indonesia and Thailand. button

We saw several large tropical Asian Coelogyne pandurata with their large green and black flowers. button As well, our attention inevitably strayed to the exotic Paph. stonei. button I suppose that the oddest orchid was an immense specimen of a very hairy and un-orchid-like plant, Trichotosia halconensis, which used to be known as an Eria. The flowers are smallish but produced in multiple racemes. As well, there were numerous keikis. This small genus is known from Papua New Guinea and Southeast Asia. button

Mycorrhizal Fungi were a popular topic and on May 20, the morning session dealt with aspects especially from an Australian perspective. Then Larry Zettler, Illinois College, outlined the dilemma faced by those wishing to conserve a rare Hawaiian endemic. Platanthera holochila, namely, the ethics of releasing an 'exotic' mycobiont into the Hawaiian Islands. Conservation is not always as easy as it seems!

Conservation Case Studies were delivered in a parallel session. These included Kip Knudson's project on the native orchids of the Ridges Sanctuary, an unique series of dunes and slacks in Wisconsin. He and fellow members of the North Eastern Wisconsin Orchid Society are assisting in an orchid inventory of the Sanctuary. Marilyn Light reported on the long term study of the Yellow Lady's Slipper in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada, where some 350 plants have been followed in some cases up to 20 years. Ecuador has more than 10% of the orchid species yet more than 75% of the original forest is already lost to logging and agriculture. Catherine Woodward of the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation explained how private landowners are encouraged to preserve forest through conservation easement.

On the last day, May 21, participants learned about varied aspects of conservation including population recovery efforts in Australia (Margaret Collins), a very interesting cataloguing of orchids on the island of Saba in the Caribbean (Stewart Chipka), population studies of an achlorophyllous orchid, Hexalectris revoluta, in Arizona (Ron Coleman), and of the metapopulation dynamics of a Lepanthes in Puerto Rico (Raymond Tremblay). One of the outstanding accomplishments reported at the meeting was by Lorena Endara, Ecuador, who discussed how Ecuador became the first neotropical and megadiverse country to evaluate the conservation status of its endemic flora using new World Conservation Union criteria.

A delicious banquet followed the last sessions and those planning to participate in post-conference tours tumbled into bed, replete with good food and food for thought.

The 2^nd International Orchid Conservation Conference was a resounding success both in terms of presentations and in terms of the audience which had many students eager to learn from those with experience. Additionally, there were meetings of the Orchid Specialist Group and two of the constituent committees. The North American Regional Group and the In Situ Committee. For those of us in 'the know', there are many issues still to be resolved and mysteries to be uncovered but having so many eager investigators and grassroots practitioners bodes well for the orchids wherever they may grow.

I will remember the peaceful surround button and talks with colleagues amongst swaying palms. Thank you to Wes Higgins and his team for hosting a premier conservation event. button

Proceedings of this conference will be a must-read once they are published as a special edition of Selbyana. For more information please contact sbgpress@selby.org

COC Home