The Orchid Conservation Program at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens grows Tasmania’s threatened native orchids as insurance populations to prevent extinction, with a focus on species known from single or very small populations.
Over the last year [2018] I have been part of a small team of scientists and volunteers helping to preserve selected populations of threatened Orchids, helping endangered species to be germinated, grown and nurtured in the lab before being planted out in the wild to rejuvenate endangered populations. Raising awareness about Threatened Species. Such a lovely, committed bunch of people, such a long way to go…
We have now got seven of our threatened orchid species growing well in cultivation with some flowering.
As with many threatened species programs our funding is under threat, just when we have the know how to make a real difference to Tasmania’s threatened orchids. Tasmania, despite being home to more than 600 threatened species, has a threatened species section of effectively two full-time positions (one of which is not currently filled). They have an annual budget of about A$5,000, or roughly A$7.14 per species.
The Orchid Conservation Program is just one area being addressed. There is so much work to be done here and in other areas, but never enough money to go around.
The community of scientists and volunteers that I have had the privilege of working with at the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens, is dedicated and does essential work towards recovery of the population of threatened species.
Since 2012 this program has been maintained by a group of passionate volunteers with the support of Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, NRM South and Cradle Coast NRM and 1000s of hours of volunteer passion, plus the skills and direction of Drs Nigel Swartz and Magali Wright.
This crucial work is now being overseen by the Landscape Recovery Foundation, who together with and using many resources from within the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, are doing important work for threatened Orchids in Tasmania.
The Landscape Recovery Foundation is a group of experienced and passionate environmental practitioners with a wealth of experience in ecological systems, threatened species management, community engagement and a strong desire to make a difference.
The Foundation coordinates and leverages funding from a range of sources to develop landscape restoration plans and threatened species recovery programs with the objective of improving landscape resilience and threatened species conservation outcomes.
Landscape restoration plans help prioritise vegetation and threatened species across the landscape. The Foundation works across tenure with State and Local Government, industry, community and private landholders raising awareness and supporting best practice land management.
Why not consider making a donation to them today or contact them to find out how you could help? Feel free to contact me to discuss this important mission.
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A fabric designer, ecological activist, plant advocate and professional printmaker from Hobart, Tasmania.
Deborah WACE acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work
