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NGO “Orchis” was founded in February
15th 1997 by group of citizens of Georgia who have definite interests to
gain knowledge on distribution and historical findings of rare and endangered
plant species of Georgian vegetation, to evaluate their recent and past
abundance in their natural habitats and actively contribute to their conservation.
The organization was registered by Ministry of Justice of Georgia in February 28th 1997 (document N 2828). Nowadays, there are more than 50 members in the NGO Orchis. The scientific council of the NGO consists of professional botanists and persons actively involved in the investigation of plant kingdom. Main interests of the members of NGO Orchis are the description of population density, determination of genetic variability within populations and estimation of recruitment characters of endangered plant species belonging mainly to the following plant families: Orchidaceae, Iridaceae and Gentianaceae. Mapping of Georgian orchids was carried out as the first activity of the NGO Orchis together with Dr. Richard Lorenz and Dr Siegfrid Kuenkele representing the Society of Native Orchids of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. The distribution maps of all 48 species of orchids occur in Georgia are prepared in 50 km and 10 km UTM girds and will be published in the Journal of European Orchids. Photos: Maia Akhalkatsi |
