The Writhlington School Orchid project is developing innovative approaches to conservation through enterprise and co-operation on a global scale. The project involves hundreds of pupils through vocational courses and extra-curricular activities. At the heart of the project is the School Greenhouse containing one of the UK’s leading orchid collections and a Micro-propagation laboratory where students raise thousands of orchid species from seed each year.
Conservation and enterprise
‘Biologists agree that we are entering a period of extinctions not seen since the end of the Dinosaurs’ (IUCN 1996). Tropical habitats are the most diverse on our planet but also amongst the most threatened. In response to these challenges the Writhlington Orchid project is pioneering conservation enterprises that link partners in the UK and the tropical World and revolve around orchid seedling production in the School laboratory.
Laos Project
In April 2007 students visited the Jungles of Southern Laos to work with local conservationists and help set up a sustainable rural development initiative focussed on the laboratory raising of local endangered orchid species.
In Laos the project is lead by Chansouk Southivong who is setting up a propagation laboratory to raise orchid plants from seed to be grown on by local small scale coffee farmers. Hansouk visited Writhlington School to learn Micro-propagation techniques in March 2008. Her visit was funded by school orchid sales.
Belize Project
Writhlington School students are working as consultants to help with the development of the lost Botanic Station at Boulton Bank near Belize City. Plans include the development of micropropagation in local schools and links to institutions in Belize. Science and horticulture As a plant based project good horticulture is a crucial part of our work. Students are each in charge of a genus or group of orchids and their plants are shown across the UK and overseas. Prizes incluse a Gold Medal at the Chelsea flower show in 2006, Best Small Exhibit in the European Orchid Gongress 2003 and a Gold Medal at the Cape Town Flower Show 2007.
The orchid project provides a focus for award winning scientific research by Writhlington Pupils both in the UK and through tropical expeditions. Our research helps to improve our orchid culture and prepare students for future careers. Expeditions Recent student research has focussed on orchid diversity distribution, pollinator relationships and mimicry. Destinations have included lowland forest in Guatemala and the cloud forests of Brazil and Costa Rica. Expeditions are enterprise funded by the student’s work for the Orchid Project.
Young enterprise
Each year students set up their own companies within the Young Enterprise programme. This Year’s company Hammerhead Publishing will be selling their award winning book ‘The Dos and Don’ts of Orchid Growing’ at the Gardeners World Live Show.
Previous successes include:
- Stem Labs, regional winners in 2003, who developed our seedling product.
- Los Amigos del Bosque, runners up in the 2005 National finals, working with a Costa Rican reserve and rural school
- Brazil-Brasil, regional winners in 2006. The company grew from the expedition to Brazil in 2005.
- Cockroach – runners up in the 2007 National Finals, developing wholesale Palm Tree Kits
- BonkYE – regional finalists 2008, selling orchid books ‘The Dos and Don’ts of Orchid Growing’ through every book shop in the UK.
Taking part in real enterprises, either through Vocational Courses or Young Enterprise, helps students to develop a wide range of important skills. The global nature of our enterprises opens a world of opportunities and a confidence that they can make a difference.