Hallo from a new member from the Seychelles

[Kevin Jolliffe]

Hi there.
I have been collecting growing orchids for 23 years now. I started collecting orchids at the age of 7 and the bug has bit ever since. I am interested in species, especially African species. I come from Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal on the eastern side of South Africa and have been working in the Seychelles for 19 months as the conservation manager on a private island. I am currently writing and illustrating a book on the orchids of Kwa-Zulu Natal which has 265 species and am assisting the plant protection trust of Seychelles in revising the orchid species here, which is where I have a question regarding any information that any members may have on the species present here as there is quite a lot of contradictory evidence for most secies.

I have a desire (and I am sure I am not the only one)to try and rescue the orchids and any other plants from areas thet are being deforested like the rainforests of west Africa and Brazil and bring them into cultivation, to sell and donate some to international botanical institutions and interested orchid growers world wide, the money recieved needs to go into purchasing as much forest to re-establish the rescued plants and in so doing conserve many other species of flora and fauna. All we need is CITES to play allong!!

Hope to hear from many of you soon

All the best

Kevin

[Bolero]

Oh my god! How lucky are you to be living there?

Welcome to the forum, can you send photos of pristine beaches? lol.

[tuvoc]

Welcome aboard, Kevin. I'm sure I'm not alone in my appreciation of your efforts. Keep up your good work, and enjoy your time here!

Kim

[dgenovese1]

Hi kevin,

Welcome to the OB! While I am not knowledgeable in the species from your part of the planet, I very much appreciate what you are trying to do. It is folks with your kind of vision that will save many species from perishing altogether.

Thank You!

[Swamper]

Hey Kevin , what a cool place to live and work. ummmm are you hiring?

[Chubidubi]

WOW Kevin you have an amazing job. It's so cool what you're doing. You'll be of great help to a lot of OB members.
aboard

[sucuz]

Welcome! You will be an amazing addition to our wonderful community. I trust that you will enjoy your time spent here. Terrific folk here.

[JackiBlu]

Welcome aboard Kevin -- what an interesting job you're in the midst of. I can only imagine what you've come against to achieve your goals.

I have no doubt you will be a huge asset here, but in turn, I hope we will somehow become an asset to you in some way.

I look to 'hearing' more of your adventures.

[Silla--glamour]

welcome to OB Kevin Jolliffe, enjoy your stay here, people here are informative and friendly : )

[Robe]

Hello Kevin, welcome to this fantastic forum.
I sincerely admire you for your effort of saving wild orchids from destruction. I think it is one of the most recurrent wishes of a large part of orchids lovers.
So keep up the very good work, orchids needs someone like you!

Welcome again!