Endangered Orchids in ornamental display / Exploring Chilean endemics
Two speakers for this KMIS online & in person lecture. On his travel scholarship, Francesco Gorni is a Kew Diploma student in their third and final year, travelled to the USA to visit Illinois College, an institution famous for its orchid research, to understand how botanic gardens around the world are working together to save endangered orchids and their ecosystems. In this talk, Francisco will discuss the Orchid Recovery Program, an international collaboration of researchers working both in laboratories and in the field to find the best methods of conserving orchid species. Eleanor Edmonds is a Kew Diploma student in their third year, will discuss the diverse habitats of Chile, from the dry Atacama Desert to the Mediterranean-like climate of Valdivia. Many ecosystems in this country are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activity, and countless endemic plant species are on the verge of extinction. Ellie will be speaking about the variety of conservation efforts being undertaken to preserve these precious species - which if lost, are gone forever. Time: 18:00 BST
