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Volunteers are being trained by an orchid expert in a project to find out the status of orchids growing wild in the Maltese Islands. Among those who have already committed themselves to a nationwide orchid survey are pensioners, local naturalists and universi‘Citizen scientists’ recruited to monitor wild orchids
Volunteers are being trained by an orchid expert in a project to find out the status of orchids growing wild in the Maltese Islands. Among those who have already committed themselves to a nationwide orchid survey are pensioners, local naturalists and university students. Running into its second year, the project includes field outings and training by an environmental conservation NGO on how to identify wild orchids. Managed by Greenhouse Malta, the Wild for Orchids project aims to build a stronger conservation argument while keeping the Environment Resources Authority informed of any changes in the status of rare orchids. At the first session held in Gozo, a group of volunteers were shown how to recognise and record all types of wild orchids, including very rare and disappearing species. The session was repeated at another meeting held in the Valletta premises of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector. Volunteers heard how adaptation of native orchids to local conditions makes them appear stunted yet this makes them specialised enough to meet the rigours of their environment on the exposed garigue. About 35 species of orchid, including three endemic species, are known locally. Read more