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1% for Orchid Conservation
http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org
Orchid conservation is a subject that we hear about from time to time on forums, in magazines and with society meeting speakers. We are appalled to hear about habitat destruction or the decimation of species by illegal collecting such as in the case of Phragmipedium kovachii. The "before and after slides" of a clear-cut hillside, the speaker said was covered with orchids before. It is appalling, and for most of us it is distant. How can an individual make a difference? One individual can make a small difference; a group of individuals can make a bigger difference. The Orchid Conservation Coalition (OCC) is a coalition of people, orchid societies, businesses, and conservation groups concerned about orchid conservation. It provides a framework for networking and cooperation to create a more effective effort towards orchid conservation. Through the sharing of information we can identify effective orchid conservation organizations and projects that need support. 1% for Orchid Conservation is a program of the OCC. The purpose of 1% For Orchid Conservation (1% FOC) is to commit orchid societies and businesses to donate 1% or more of their net revenues each year to in situ orchid conservation. The boards of each orchid society or business decide where their donation goes. The program is open to all orchid organizations and businesses worldwide. Worldwide participation is critical to making the 1% FOC most effective. It also doesn't matter if 1% of net revenues is a small or large amount. It is the cumulative amount of all participants that will make the difference. Participation is the key. Through participation, donors can identify and share information on worthwhile orchid conservation organizations and projects. As a coalition, donors will be better able to make sure donations are effectively used by orchid conservation organizations and projects. Currently there are three orchid conservation organizations that are participating: the Orchid Conservation Alliance, Orchid Conservation International, and Phytosophy's G.R.O.W. By participating they agree to use funds raised through 1% FOC for in situ orchid conservation as outlined by the 1% FOC criteria, be accountable for those funds, give progress information back to the donors and verify donations. Donating organizations are not limited to these three orchid conservation organizations. All that is required by 1% FOC is that donations go to organizations that fit the criteria. The 1% FOC criteria is a definition of in situ orchid conservation. It is useful in helping delineate between actual in situ orchid conservation and activities that fall outside the scope of in situ orchid conservation. The OCC would like to hear of other orchid conservation organizations and projects that fit the criteria so that we can list them and share that information for possible other donations. Orchid societies and businesses can also engage in their own local in situ orchid conservation projects to qualify. There is a 1% FOC trademark to identify participants and raise awareness for orchid conservation. This logo can be used by businesses for marketing purposes to tell customers that you care about orchid conservation and donate. Customers who care about orchid conservation will look for the logo and take 1% FOC participating businesses into consideration when making purchasing decisions. Most orchid growers and the general public are concerned about environmental issues, but it is hard for an individual to easily make a contribution. For a customer paying 20 cents (or insert your currency here) more on a 20 dollar orchid purchase and knowing that 20 cents will go toward orchid conservation, it is an easy way to participate and feel good about it. Eventually, we would like to see the logo on all those mass-market orchids sold in the big box stores. But before the big box store and the general public will buy into the idea, the orchid world in general needs to support orchid conservation. Currently, there is one orchid society, the San Francisco Orchid Society, and two businesses participating: the Orchid Seedbank Project and Nascent Orchids. There are about 14 orchid societies in the process of considering participation. There are many individuals who have participated in getting the OCC up and running to this point. The Orchid Conservation Coalition does not have any officers. The OCC does not receive contributions. It does not distribute money. You could say the OCC is truly a non-profit organization. The OCC and 1% FOC is a coalition to raise money for other orchid conservation organizations and to raise awareness for orchid conservation. Membership is by participation. How can an individual participate right now, by asking your orchid society to consider participating in 1% for Orchid Conservation. For more information and details go to http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org Mark Sullivan For US orchid growers, I will be at the AOS members meeting on Friday, October 14, 2005 and Saturday, October 15, 2005. The Sonoma County Orchid Society is hosting it. http://sonomaorchids.com/2005_aos_show/ I would be happy to talk to anyone about the Orchid Conservation Coalition and 1% for Orchid Conservation. |
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