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North America is home to over 200 orchid species, with more than half classified as endangered or threatened within parts of their native habitats. To help preserve these orchids’ genetic diversity for future generations, the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC)—an initiative led by the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Botanic Garden—has developed a conservation model based on public-private partnerships. This model currently includes more than 50 collaborating organizations from Florida to Alaska.

Dr. Dennis Whigham, Senior Botanist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Founding Director of NAOCC, will discuss the ecological challenges facing orchids and outline ongoing efforts to conserve native species in the U.S. and Canada.

With a career focused on plant ecology, Dr. Whigham’s research spans diverse landscapes, from forests and fields to wetlands across the globe. His work includes studies of woodland herbs, including orchids, and various plant species in tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. Recently, his research has expanded to examine orchid-fungi interactions, yielding new insights and directions. His current projects involve the study of wetlands that support juvenile salmon in Alaska, the rarest terrestrial orchid in eastern North America, and the rapid spread of an invasive wetland species across the U.S. Dr. Whigham earned his undergraduate degree from Wabash College and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, joining the Smithsonian in 1977. Over his career, he has published more than 250 journal articles and co-edited 10 books.

No Registration Required: Zoom Link