Orchid conservation messaging in public gardens
Date
2014
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The Orchid family is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with an estimated 25,000 species, occurring on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. Orchids are versatile plants used in biology, economy, politics, romance, literature, and even medicine. People have been collecting orchids since 18th century. Public gardens are institutions known for their contributions in advancing knowledge and the appreciation of plant life by offering opportunities for research and enjoyment of beautiful flora; they also play host to orchid collections across the world. Public gardens carry a responsibility to build connection and attain a deeper understanding between people and orchids, especially for orchid conservation. The objective of the thesis research is to build a baseline of orchid collections in public gardens, set up guidelines for successful programming and promote gardens to be responsible for conservation messaging. An online survey was conducted with a distribution to 237 selected gardens with 64 completing the survey. Survey results were utilized to analyze overall orchid collection practices in public gardens, as well as to set up a current baseline of orchid collections. Furthermore, Three case study sites (two within North America and one in China) were selected based on the survey results and pre-visits. Key staff involved with orchid collection were interviewed for a better understanding of procedures and programs related to orchid education and conservation. Guidelines, with a focus on successful programing and approaches of promoting orchid conservation messaging, were set up as reference for gardens of different sizes in the future. Results from this study can be used by gardens to engage employees for promoting the existing orchid collections for conservation messaging, as well as for creation of orchid collections with conservational and educational perspectives in the future.