The North Jersey Orchid Society is proud to present Tom Mirenda as its speaker for the July 10, 2014 meeting. NJOS is happy to host this event as more of a regional event based on the importance of our speaker and his popularity in the hobby orchid growing world. The optional dinner starts promptly at 7:00PM and the talk will begin around 8:00. If you plan to come for the dinner (highly recommended), then try to arrive no later than 6:30 to find a seat and enjoy some fun conversations about orchids.
Non NJOS members are welcome to attend the event but must register in advance. Seating is limited, please register early. Registration deadline is July 5th. Register here at
North Jersey Orchid Society July 10 Meeting with... Tickets, East Hanover - Eventbrite . It is quick, free and easy.
Cost of optional dinner is $14 per person. See details in Registration section. If you have not attended an NJOS event, we can tell you that the $14 is a bargain for the amazing buffet that is offered at our meeting place, the Hanover Manor restaurant. There is also a cash bar available.
Tom Mirenda has been the Orchid Collection Specialist at the Smithsonian Institution for the last 10 years, where he cares for and curates an extremely diverse collection of orchid species and hybrids from all over the world. His position includes developing and producing huge educational exhibits using the collection plants that last up to 4 months. and visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Trained originally as a Marine Biologist, Tom made the switch to plants and orchids in his late 20s while living in Hawaii. Since then he has worked with orchids at NY Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and an extensive private collection at Greentree Estate in Long Island. Tom was also the floor manager at the New York International orchid Show for many years during this period. For the last 6 years, Tom has contributed two columns each month for the American Orchid Society's publication, ORCHIDS magazine, and is developing a new book based on those writings. Tom travels frequently around the US and internationally, making presentations to diverse audiences, from scientists to the general public, about orchid ecology, pollination biology, strategies for orchid conservation. He is passionate about seeking collaboration between the worlds of Botanic Gardens, the hobbyist community, commercial growers and scientists to work together toward the goal of protecting orchids and their habitats. Currently working on a project to coordinate and centralize North American orchid conservation efforts, Tom hopes to extend the influence to other parts of the world where orchids are imperiled.
Tom's presentation will be on The Smithsonian Orchid Collection and will include a survey of the history of the Smithsonian orchid collection, who started it, how it flourished, its ups and downs, exhibitions, plans and goals for the future.
Please remember to register at
North Jersey Orchid Society July 10 Meeting with... Tickets, East Hanover - Eventbrite for this great evening.
Registration is free but this will give us a proper head count of non-society members and gives you all the info you need for the evening.