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Does anyone care about conservation?
Andrew,
Each of us is very concerned about orchid conservation in one's own way. Self-pollinating species that are allowable and distribution of those hundreds (and sometimes thousands of plants) can help to perpetuate the species. The hurricanes in Florida have only taught us that native plants, if one were to rely on growing such plants only in a solo locality, would surely endanger the species. Therefore, per CITES agreements and laws, orchid enthusiasts should do what can be done (WITHIN THE LAW) to perpetuate the species -- in other words, SPREAD THE WEALTH! You mentioned that "Rape and Pillage" still are acceptable in this day and age." This is the case for other than orchids. However, genuine orchid enthusiasts might adhere to the convention of the preservation of the species. A love for orchids should assist everyone in adhering to a code of ethics and not performing "Rape and Pilage" or importing orchids on the CITES list. Perhaps, in the future it may be plausible to produce seed-grown and clones to drive away the black market in the species that are much sought-after. Money is surely the driving force in other sought-after goods and services, and I don't think that orchids are exempt. These are just (perhaps rambling) thoughts. Feel free to agree or disagree. .. . . Pam Everything Orchid Management System http://home.earthlink.net/~profpam/page3.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew wrote: With the recent flood of posts about orchid smuggling and CITES it got me wondering. Is anyone on RGO involved with orchid conservation or involved with groups/societies that actively work to conserve orchid populations? If so what and how? I know most of you grow exotics and orchid conservation in other countries is often harder to make a difference with. Are there any "native" growers in the group and if so do your attitudes to differ from your exotic growing buddies? Where I'm coming from: I belong to a local Australasian Native Orchid Society group. The group has a very strong conservation ethic and thanks to the hard work of a few members the society has become a major player in conservation efforts in my state. While I applaud their efforts, my interest in orchids like most of yours is in cultivation rather than enjoying them in situ. However, I still feel some obligation with regard to responsible and ethical collecting which is why I chose to become involved in an orchid distribution program that my society runs. The aim of this program is to make legally obtained plants readily available at a dirt cheap price so that it's not worth the effort to illegally collect them from the wild thus removing the pressure from our already stressed orchid habitats. It also produces an ex situ pool should reintroduction be required. It's essentially the cultivation arm of the society's conservation effort. I was just wondering if there's anyone else who supports or takes part in actually doing something for orchids in the wild (or even cares). I know AOS supports conservations efforts but do you really care about that or are you just a member for the books and the mag. From reading this newsgroup and other forums it comes across that to many people the height of their interest in orchid conservation revolves around "rescuing" a half dead Phal hybrid from Lowes. :-) ......... :-( Sorry, if this post comes across as being cynical of the motives behind exotic growers. I'm also not pointing the finger at any specific people who have commented on the CITES debate. I'm just curious if anyone cares or is "Rape and Pillage" still acceptable in this day and age. |
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