Orchid Recovery: Cuba

In November 2012, Drs. Zettler and Steven M. Gardner (Professor of Modern Languages), met with Cuban orchid expert, Dr. Ernesto Mujica, at a conference in Guayaquil, Ecuador. This meeting led to an our ongoing collaboration with researchers at Soroa Orchid Garden/University of Artemisa in Cuba that was jump-started by an MOU signed by Illinois College’s President, Dr. Barbara Farley, and her counterpart at the University of Pinar del Rio in January 2016. Since then, we have been studying the rare Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) in Guanahacabibes National Park (Cuba), and comparing data to those in the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (USA). By studying this species in both countries and sharing data, we are developing a conservation management plan aimed at this orchid’s long-term survival.

In March 2018, Illinois College and our Cuban counterparts began work on a seed and fungus storage facility at Soroa. During the next five years, we will help to collect seed and fungi from western Cuba's rarest orchids for long-term conservation. Illinois College students will be expected to travel to Cuba on a regular basis during semester breaks to take part.

Students who aspire to conduct research in Cuba, especially those who speak some level of Spanish, are encouraged to apply. For more information, please contact Dr. Zettler (lwzettle@ic.edu) or Dr. Gardner (sgardner@ic.edu).