Starting more than two hundred years ago, collectors searched the new world in a quest to bring back strange and new orchid species, mostly for Europeans who were wealthy enough to be able to afford creating an environment in which … Continue reading →
Species distribution is essentially just where a species lives, but the nuances are important for conservation decision-makers. And the nuances are weird and specific — especially when it comes to habitat fragmentation, or the splitting up of species’ distributions into … Continue reading →
The Galveston Bay Orchid Society invited me to give a conservation talk at their September monthly meeting in League City, Texas (south of Houston). As chair of the SWROGA conservation committee, my presentation included an update on projects this past … Continue reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Chile’s new “Route of Parks”, spanning more than 1,500 miles, and encompassing more than 15,600 square miles, is an historic move in conservation and preservation of wildlife habitat. The total area protected is three times the size of Yosemite and … Continue reading →
News reports tell us that war is a threat to animals, and that the world is losing species as a result. The reports typically focus on the large mammals, because the public is most interested in them, and is most … Continue reading →
We have good news to report. Our conservation efforts are paying off, in the form of additional acres of rainforest purchased in Ecuador. A large and valuable reserve is now even bigger than before! Many heartfelt thanks to all our … Continue reading →
When we think of tropical forest, the Amazon is what immediately comes to mind as an area resplendent with biodiversity, a complex ecosystem, and, of course, many orchid species. But there is another area, much closer, which is also very … Continue reading →
In support of biologist E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth Foundation, a plan for conservation of the Earth’s habitats and biodiversity, Paul Simon recently completed an eighteen-city concert tour. Paul Simon is a twelve-time Grammy winning musician and singer-songwriter, who came out of … Continue reading →