The Wild Orchids Project is a Saving our Species Partnership Grants Project between the ANPC and Murray Local Land Services (lead agency), Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), Department of Primary Industries – Lands, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Forestry Corporation of NSW, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and landholders.
Wild Orchids Project factsheet
The Crimson Spider Orchid (Caladenia concolor), the Sandhill Spider Orchid (Caladenia arenaria) and the Oaklands Diuris (Diuris callitrophila) are all highly threatened in NSW. These species now only occur in very small numbers in the wild, and are at considerable risk of extinction from natural events or human-induced disturbances.
Crimson Spider Orchid factsheet Sandhill Spider Orchid factsheet Oaklands Diuris factsheet
L-R: Crimson Spider Orchid (Caladenia concolor), Sandhill Spider Orchid (Caladenia arenaria), Oaklands Diuris (Diuris callitrophila). (Photos: Matt Cameron).
Conservation and management of threatened wild orchids
The Wild Orchids Project will contribute to the long-term viability of these three endangered orchid species. Orchids are among the most beautiful and mysterious of all Australian native flowering plants. These jewels of the bush are important and striking additions to local biodiversity. Australia hosts over 800 species, but many face extinction without proper management. The Wild Orchids Consortium is working together to save these species.
Achievements
This project builds on work completed for these species already by Murray Local Land Services, OEH, and the community, including:
- Targeted weed control for all known populations.
- Fencing of key populations for strategic grazing management.
- Augmentation of important populations with orchid seedlings.
Planned activities
Over the next ten years the project will be undertaking management activities for all three orchid species, including:
- Targeted weed and pest control.
- Monitoring of the abundance and condition of populations of all three species.
- Augmentation of existing populations and the establishment of new ones.
- Improving knowledge of reproduction requirements through pollinator surveys (to identify the insects needed for pollination of each species).
MEDIA RELEASE 16 November 2016 “From Little Orchids Big Things Grow“
From left to right: Helen Waudby (OEH), Geoff Roberston (OEH) and Dr Noushka Reiter (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria) checking out the newest additions to the nursery.
For more information, please contact
Rhiannon Caynes, Land Services Officer (Community Engagement & Environment)
Murray Local Land Services
Phone: 02 6051 2232
This project is funded by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust
