North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC)

Illinois College’s Orchid Recovery Program is connected to the newly-established North American Orchid Conservation Center, based at the Smithsonian Institution’s Environmental Research Center. During the next 10 years, Illinois College students will be charged with the task of propagating several important orchids endemic to North America alongside a network of specialists throughout the continent. Students will likely play a key role in collecting seeds, isolating mycorrhizal fungi, and using fungi to stimulate seed germination in vitro leading to the release of seedlings into natural habitats. This work will augment existing research conducted previously by Illinois College in south Florida, the Midwest, and elsewhere.

More information: http://northamericanorchidcenter.org/