My efforts towards conserving orchids

[Mr.Fakename]

Very long story very short; but I've decided to give a hand to various associations in order to propagate, preserve and reintroduce orchids.

If you happen to :
- Have native orchids in your garden (or your neighbours' friends', family's...),
- Know a location where plants will be taken out for a new construction,
- Have plants that come from wild collection (nothing illegal please, I do not support any kind of poaching) or their direct offspring or know someone who does;
Please hit me up to discuss options.

I straight up do not intend on buying as it's a non-commercial operation.
I'm mostly interested in seeds, but depending on the plant cloning might be an option.
Postal fees will be reimbursed, and I'll send propagated plants as a way to thank you.

For now it is unfortunately going to be limited to Europe; but might expend when local authorities give more info and help me figure out how CITES and phytosanitary certificates work


The goals are to (paraphrasing and name-dropping Dr. Joseph Arditti):
- Pollinate native orchids so that they will produce seeds as this may increase their numbers
- Try to germinate rare species and use the plants to repopulate pauperised areas
- Give away or sell seedlings of native species to reduce collection
- Give plants to botanical gardens and conservation centres
- Publish results

[Leafmite]

Sounds good!

[Ray]

Noble, but here, in some states, there are laws that get in one’s way.

For example, if wild orchids are going to be wiped out by development, some states forbid the relocation of the flora. The laws were written to protect poaching, but are worded in a way that precludes exceptions for rescue.

In some of those states, the authorities may provide exception permits, but bureaucratic delays often get in the way.

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by Ray

For example, if wild orchids are going to be wiped out by development, some states forbid the relocation of the flora. The laws were written to protect poaching, but are worded in a way that precludes exceptions for rescue.

It's sad that there's loopholes or issues so often. Here there are laws that protect fauna/flora/historical artefacts that are discovered when something is buying built, but most of the time the construction companies prefer to ignore a few things with no value to them, rather than having the site seized.

That said, efforts from environmentalists start paying off in more and more cities. My town now has a "no mowing unless necessary" policy, and rare plants and animals have been spotted.

This year thanks to those measures I've been able to identify (not really, just took pics and other people found the ID) several populations of Anacamptis pyramidalis, Ophrys apifera and Serapias vomeracea!

[SouthPark]

This issue has been around for quite a while now. Usually it involves money, economy, business ------ so linked to big corporations as well as government .... that just twist or bend things in one direction whenever they need to. For example, if a building site needs to be constructed for making big money etc, and there happen to be some animals or plants etc living in the area that are meant to be protected - then they usually always come out with a plan to bend the rules ----- to get the construction completed, while claiming that they'll do something to support the animals/plants ------ except we know in the long-run that there is no hope for those animals and plants.

This is just what greed, business, money-making, etc does ------ human activity. It's basically using force and might to take over everything. Claim everything. It is pretty disgusting really. Still part of 'nature', but not nice for sure.