Colombia’s Serrania del Chiribiquete has been declared the world’s largest tropical rainforest national park following decades of efforts by environmental experts and conservationists. The park, which is home to nearly 3,000 animal and plant species, has been expanded by more than … Continue reading →
What happens when a U.S. port of entry processes a shipment of plants, and finds that the plants do not meet proper import requirements? Occasionally those plants are confiscated and destroyed. If those plants happen to be orchids, it is … Continue reading →
Massive loss of natural habitat due to deforestation is occurring at an increasing level, largely due to animal agriculture.
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At the United Nations Forum indigenous leaders tell the world about their sacred grounds now exploited and sold for profit. Read the article here. .
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Every July in Texas the Hexalectris survey at Cedar Ridge is in full swing. The Citizen Scientist survey (led by Stephanie Varnum, North Texas Master Naturalists) is a rare opportunity for local orchid lovers to participate in orchid conservation efforts. … Continue reading →
Trees, particularly those in the lush tropics, pull carbon dioxide out of the air as they grow and lock that carbon in their wood and soil. When humans cut down or burn trees, the carbon gets released back into the … Continue reading →
As the annual Hexalectris survey at Cedar Ridge (Texas) is preparing to commence on Tuesday, June 5, we are once again reminded of the amazing biodiversity of Texas flora. Stephanie Varnum of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists … Continue reading →
Whenever two orchid lovers (defined as anyone reading this column) get together for the first time, the question almost always comes up “Do you have a greenhouse?”. I must confess that it has given me great satisfaction for the last … Continue reading →
Yes, we can! Ordinary people all over the world are participating in conservation efforts to protect natural habitats. A recent article in The Guardian by Fiona Gell, a marine biologist, tells of one such project. In the article entitled “Who’s … Continue reading →
We can support orchid conservation only if we are willing to support the entire ecosystem which sustains all life. Orchids are like any other life form — they require clean air, unpolluted water, nourishment and a place to live — … Continue reading →
Orchid Conservation is happening in all kinds of unexpected places. Get out your world maps and see if you can find Babeldaob! This is the time of the year we might be dreaming of a tropical getaway. I have my … Continue reading →
For the past year or so I have been volunteering some time at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. As enjoyable as it is to make a trip to Fort Worth, and as much as I like the people at … Continue reading →
Adopting a plant-based diet offers a number of advantages, all of them important to the health of our planet, to the health of our bodies, and to the health of our pocketbooks. How does a plant-based diet affect the health … Continue reading →