good news story: an orchid saved from extinction
This post is a Good News Story. After the horrendous and ongoingly terrible events in Japan, I think we desperately need stories like this to help maintain a sense of hope and optimism for the future.
Bush Heritage Australia is a non profit organization that protects Australia's native flora and fauna and their habitats. It does this by buying suitable land, then managing it and restoring it to natural bushland.
The Nardoo Hills Reserves in Victoria was acquired by Bush Heritage between 2004 and 2007. Volunteers controlled the rabbit population, poisoned huge stands of wheel cactus, a noxious weed, and got rid of grazing sheep and cattle. This meant that native plants, animals, birds and insects once again had a habitat in which to thrive.
In 2009 excited visitors saw the return of the Robust greenhood orchid. This orchid, on the critically endangered list, was last seen in 1941!
Bush Heritage's field officer, Jeroen Van Veen said: "This is what we work for. After years and years of slogging away and restoring natural bushland, these are the kinds of things that keep you going."
Bush Heritage Australia is a non profit organization that protects Australia's native flora and fauna and their habitats. It does this by buying suitable land, then managing it and restoring it to natural bushland.
The Nardoo Hills Reserves in Victoria was acquired by Bush Heritage between 2004 and 2007. Volunteers controlled the rabbit population, poisoned huge stands of wheel cactus, a noxious weed, and got rid of grazing sheep and cattle. This meant that native plants, animals, birds and insects once again had a habitat in which to thrive.
In 2009 excited visitors saw the return of the Robust greenhood orchid. This orchid, on the critically endangered list, was last seen in 1941!
Bush Heritage's field officer, Jeroen Van Veen said: "This is what we work for. After years and years of slogging away and restoring natural bushland, these are the kinds of things that keep you going."
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| The robust greenhood orchid. Photo: Jeroen Van Veen. |
Hi Catmint, That's a wonderful story - and what a unique flower! With your photo, can I assume you saw it "in the flesh?" :-)
ReplyDeleteNice to see you spreading the word of the survival and rediscovery of this rare plant.
ReplyDelete.
There are many plants like this Greenhood, which are known to exist in only one or two locations, and are threatened by (a) ignorance and (b) development.
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I can answer Shady Gardener's question - the photographer is named, and the discovery has been publicised recently by "Bush Heritage".
But I am pleased t see Catmint spreading the word.
Cheers
Denis
What good news - and great to have a good news story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Shady - Denis has answered your question.
ReplyDeleteDear Denis, I so appreciate your approval - I am in awe of your vast knowledge of nature and your political dedication. You're a role model.
Thanks Hermes - I love to share my good news story - hope your health is OK.
cheers, catmint
How beautiful! And what an uplifting story. I'm glad this habitat is now thriving. Thank you for encouragement and hope.
ReplyDeleteGreat news and keep spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine finding a flower, like that, walking on our mountains. Not the same species!
ReplyDeleteGoing forward, it is those same volunteers who will protect that habitat and give the orchid a chance to flourish!
Thanks for this good news Catmint! Thank goodness this beautiful orchid is now growing happily. Congrats to Bush Heritage in their effort to preserve this beauty :-D
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
That really is good news, how wonderful. And what a beautiful plant.
ReplyDeleteDear Catmint, Thank you for sharing this good news! What an exquisite orchid too! It is so hopeful that all over the world citizens care about preserving land for wild flora and fauna.
ReplyDeleteIt was worth waiting 68 years! A tribute to plant survival - and an uplifting tale.
ReplyDeleteI missed hearing about this wonderful discovery - thanks for passing on the news Catmint!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! My husband and I have done a lot of tromping around in Florida where many rare orchids live and now that we are back in Texas we like to search out the natives here, too.
ReplyDeleteJust amazing that a plant not seen for 60+ years reappears after the natural habitat is restored. Kinda makes one wonder if seeds were viable that long or if roots were underground but not in a habitat to thrive. Not a botanist...
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