Second Wild Orchids Conference

Dullstroom

Theme - 'Getting to know our orchids'

At the time of writing it is July 2016 and we have just passed the middle of winter. We have posted the WOSA 1 Conference proceedings on our website - wildorchids.co.za - under the heading 'Conferences',which make excellent reading and is a permanent record for researchers in the future. The conference turned out to be a grand affair with a number of exciting presentations and workshops. We have announced the dates for the WOSA 2 Conference and are arranging another interesting programme for delegates.

The WOSA website has been redesigned to make navigation easier and we are making a concerted effort to get all Provinces functioning which will enhance our footprint and activities. Jimmy Pauck is organizing KZN and Frans Waanders, Northwest Province with the Western Cape being handled by Greg Brill and Jim Holmes. Gerrit van Ede has completed the Flowers of Verloren Valei Field Guide which is a welcome addition to the promotion of indigenous orchids in South Africa. This will add a lot of interest and assist visitors during our field trips in January. We are also planning another 10 guided trips this summer.

Verloren Valei has a dedicated Friends group which is making a difference in its functioning and operation. They enjoy a section on our website under Conservation and are looking for members who wish to support them in the development of the Reserve.

The Gallery on the website has proved popular with over 14000 hits which consists of roughly 50% new visits and the same number of return visits. Gerrit is busy with providing the description of the orchids and Duncan McFarlane with populating the orchid photographs. To my knowledge this is the only electronic representation of indigenous orchids which perhaps explains its popularity.

The Conference will take place at the Dunkeld Country Estate on the Tonteldoos road, Dullstroom, 20 - 22 January 2017
Programme includes two Field Trips to Verloren Valei and a full conference programme covering topics such as ' South African orchids and the ' muti ' trade, and many more interesting topics.

Friday 20 January 2017
Field Trip 1:  Cost R70
Meet at 13.00 at Milly's Shop on the right near exit of Dullstroom town.

Saturday 21 January 2017
Register: 07.30 to 08.45 at Dunkeld Country Estate
Registration fee includes lunch and 2 teas - Cost R650
Conference dinner at Dunkeld at 19.00 - Cost R200

Sunday 31 January 2016
Field Trip 2: Cost R70
Meet at Milly's at 10.00

Total Cost : R990 

Early bird registration before 11 Nov 2016 -10%

The theme of the conference is 'The role of civil society in orchid conservation' and we have a programme of interesting subjects and speakers. There will be two guided tours to the 'show case' nearby Verloren Valei Nature Reserve where you can see up to 20 different terrestrial orchid species. A new Field Guide of 55 orchids and 100 wild flowers occurring in the Reserve will be on sale.

Click link below for more information and the Conference Registration form. 

WOSA2_CONF_registration_form.pdf