Information about Conserve Native Plants Society Inc.

Conserve Native Plants Society Inc. (CNPS) is a new registered non-profit conservation organization having been incorporated in March of 2003. We are growing steadily. C.N.P.S. is headed by Bud Ewacha who has many years of experience related to all aspects of botany and in particular the study of native orchids. C.N.P.S. publishes a quarterly newsletter to its members, and conducts a series of educational field trips for members and other interested parties.

Conserve Native Plants Society Inc. currently has 160 registered members. We are committed to sustainable development and are pleased to have the cooperation of horticultural products companies and a

Manitoba sustainable development innovations grant toward the pursuit of our botanical and environmental research.

If you are interested in our work, we encourage you to contact CNPS,

Conserve Native Plants Society Inc.

Contact Person: Bud Ewacha, President

35 St. Michael Road

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Tel (204) 253 4741

Fax (204) 253 7241

Email budge@mts.net

Some Projects that we are working on:

“Seeding Cypripedium Species Project”

We are attempting to re-establish Cypripedium species (Showy-Lady’s Slipper, Yellow Lady’s Slipper, Pink Lady’s Slipper (Moccasin Flower)) in de-commissioned peat lands and other native orchid

habitats. We have the permission of Premier Tech Horticulture Ltd. to conduct the above-mentioned studies in 2004 on peat lands in southeastern Manitoba no longer in production and being returned

to a natural state. We also hope to seed Cypripediums on de-commissioned peat lands managed by Sungrow Ltd. and on a suitable plot along the Woodridge Road in south-eastern Manitoba.

The seeding of these test plots will not involve any disturbance to the existing landscape.

Our goal is to determine if native orchid species can be successfully propagated by way of 'seed scattering' on lands formerly harvested for Peat production and also in other natural habitats.

This is in keeping with our mandate to conserve and re-introduce native orchid species into lands previously suited to their growth.A continuation of similar research work first conducted by Bud Ewacha,

and Dr. Carla Zelmer and Tony Szumigalski of the University of Manitoba in the summer of 2001. This work focused solely on the Moccasin Flower (Cypripedium Acaule) in the Cat Hills Provincial Forest Reserve of Manitoba.

Now, in cooperation with Peat Moss production companies such as Premier Horticulture and Sungrow we hope to extend our seeding project to experiment with the seeding a number of Cypripedium species (Showy Lady’s Slipper, Yellow Lady’s Slipper, as well as Moccasin Flower).

Our Cypripedium seeding project conducts basic research in rare orchid population conservation and restoration. Research will be conducted on the feasibility of seeding native orchid species into restored and protected habitats. A variety of native orchid species will be seeded into appropriate habitats that currently lack these species. These experiments, while quite basic, have not previously been conducted as carefully controlled experiments. The outcome depends on many factors, including careful habitat selection and the presence of the symbiotic fungi necessary for the germination and growth of the orchid seedlings. The results of such a study will be of international interest.

The Cypripedium seeding project will assist in returning production peat lands back to a natural state and will demonstrate whether native orchid species can be successfully seeded in the wild and thus be reintroduced to areas where they would have previously occurred.

Benefits of the Project: Native Orchids are in general endangered. For us to better understand methods to increase the native orchid population is crucial in the survival of these species. Native orchids have a cooperative relationship with both the land (symbiotic fungi) and pollinators. The occurrence of species such as Cypripedium is a sign of a healthy ecosystem and also offers aesthetic enjoyment to the community. Peat production companies are interested in sustainable development and have an interest in returning their post-production lands to a pre-impact natural state. This project will increase local biodiversity and could possibly enhance ecotourism. There are also planned opportunities for the involvement of local volunteers in the project and the resultant community education.

Need for the Project: Little is actually known about all the factors involved in the natural propagation of native orchid species. This research project will add valuable information to the knowledge base and will provide direction for future work.

Problem/Issue Addressed: The fact that native orchids are in a volatile state in the wild puts these species at risk. The survival of native orchid species in Manitoba will take an enlightened public to recognize the value of these species and it will take research such as the Cypripedium Seeding Project to determine successful methods for the re-introduction of these plants. Thus, inaction is not an option.

Why is this important? For the survival of native orchid species such as Cypripedium in Manitoba and elsewhere.

How is this project unique and innovative? These experiments have not previously been conducted as carefully controlled experiments. The outcome of the seeding project depends on careful habitat selection, and the presence of the appropriate symbiotic fungi necessary for the germination and growth of the orchid seedlings. There will be worldwide interest in the study results. It is also a good example of a cooperation between sustainable horticultural industry (Peat production) and habitat conservation.

Who was consulted? We have worked with the University of Manitoba, Dept. of Plant Science as well as Premier Horticulture Ltd. on the project direction and development.

A. Project Goals:

Short-Term: To determine the feasibility of seeding Cypripedium species in the wild.

Long-Term: To conserve, protect, and reintroduce Cypripedium species in Manitoba.

Objectives: This project with 1) Help to determine the feasibility of returning orchids to restored areas 2) Determine the feasibility of introducing or augmenting natural populations of endangered orchids in protected areas. 3) Provide a framework for complementary research in other geographies or with other endangered plant species.

Note: Cypripedium do not survive transplantation from tissue culture or other common propagation methods. The only way to raise the population is via seed collected from hand-pollinated plants or from wild populations.

We hope to determine whether we can find a successful method (including site selection) to seed Cypripedium in the wild. We can then share this information with other native orchid conservation groups and make a positive impact toward the long term survival of these species.