Networking

Networking in Victoria for threatened orchid management and research

Federal and State government input is central to the conservation of biodiversity in Australia. Environment Australia has the responsibility federally, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is the relevant Victorian authority. Orchid conservation in the state also relies on a strong supporting network which has evolved, and includes organisations such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, the Melbourne Zoo, the Australasian Native Orchid Society The University of Melbourne, and RMIT University. The network brings to orchid conservation, a broad range of expertise including the fields of botany, horticulture, mycology, taxonomy, molecular genetics, ecology, plant cultivation and habitat management.

A number of committees and meetings facilitate the networking process. TORT

TORT Cultivation Committee

The TORT (Threatened Orchid recovery Team) Cultivation Committee was set up by the main TORT Committee in 2000. The Cultivation Committee has a focus on ex situ orchid conservation that complements, but does not replace, in situ conservation. The Committee is developing guidelines for propagating and cultivating threatened Victorian terrestrial orchids. Already prepared are:

• General guidelines for nurseries growing terrestrial orchids for conservation use
• Cultivation guidelines for the Small Golden Moths (Diuris sp. aff. chryseopsis)
• Cultivation guidelines for the Sunshine Diuris (Diuris fragrantissima).
• Cultivation guidelines for Spider Orchids

Ex situ grown orchids act as backup collections for in situ populations, and can be used for reintroduction trials. They can also be used as a source of seed for both ex situ and in situpropagation.

The TORT Cultivation Committee contributes to the development of improved propagation and cultivation methods through the experience of its members and their involvement in research. The Committee also identifies areas in need of research, and helps to facilitate the establishment of research projects.

Membership of the TORT Cultivation Committee:

Rob Cross (Chair) (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne)
Colin Knight (Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens)
Helen Richards (Australasian Native Orchid Society)
Dick Thomson (Australasian Native Orchid Society)
Malcolm Thomas (Australasian Native Orchid Society)
Cas McLean ( University of Melbourne)
Ann Lawrie (RMIT University)
Chris Jenek (Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne)

Orchid Researchers meetings

Regular meetings are held for orchid researchers to exchange information about their projects at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne or at Burnley College. The meetings ensure that researchers keep up to date with other people's research, and they also allow the collective experience and knowledge to be shared. An important outcome of the meetings is that the limited resources devoted to orchid conservation research are used as effectively as possible.

ANOC mailing list

ANOC stands for the Australian Network for Orchid Conservation. It is an email mailing list that was established to promote informal communication between people involved in orchid conservation. Any one interested in conserving Australia's orchids can subscribe by visiting the website http://lists.rbg.vic.gov.au/mailman/listinfo/anoc and following the directions under the heading Subscribing to ANOC.