APROVACA
Encyclopedia
APROVACA is a non-profit organization established to conserve and protect native orchids
in El Valle de Antón
, Panama.
The organization was founded on May 15, 2001 with the goal of protecting endangered endemic Panamanian species of orchids. Illegal orchid poaching
by locals have greatly diminished the number of orchids in El Valle and threatens to eradicate several species of orchids only found in El Valle.
The headquarters of APROVACA is in El Valle de Antón. Aside from administration the center has an orchid garden and a nursery for local orchids and horticultural varieties.
As an ongoing project APROVACA is collaborating with the Institute of Agricultural Investigation of Panama (Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá, IDIAP) to reintroduce endemic local orchids into their natural habitats.
Since March 2010 APROVACA has been a member of the Orchid Conservation Coalition
.
APROVACA (Spanish Asociación de Productores de Orquídeas de El Valle y Cabuya) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native Panamanian orchid species in danger of extinction.
The organization was founded on May 14, 2001 in El Valle de Anton, province of Cocle.
The local orchids in El Valle de Anton are facing two main problems: deforestation and poaching. The trees in the surrounding mountains are being cut down, and since most orchids are epiphytes (meaning they grow on trees), this practice deprives orchids of their natural habitat. The act of poaching orchids to take home or sell at market has also been a major problem in El Valle de Anton.
The mission of APROVACA is to contribute to the conservation of endangered Panamanian orchids. Their project consists of propagating about 100 different kinds of native orchids and reintroducing them back to the wild. After nurturing them at APROVACA, the orchid plants are brought to the national nature reserve called Cerro Gaital, where they are secured on local tree species, their preferred habitat.
As an ongoing project APROVACA is collaborating with the Institute of Agricultural Investigation of Panama (Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá, IDIAP) to reintroduce endemic local orchids into their natural habitats.[1]
Since March 2010 APROVACA has been a member of the Orchid Conservation Coalition.[2]
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
in El Valle de Antón
El Valle de Antón
El Valle de Antón, generally called El Valle, or Anton's Valley in English is a town of 9,000 in the Coclé province of Panama.-Location:...
, Panama.
The organization was founded on May 15, 2001 with the goal of protecting endangered endemic Panamanian species of orchids. Illegal orchid poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
by locals have greatly diminished the number of orchids in El Valle and threatens to eradicate several species of orchids only found in El Valle.
The headquarters of APROVACA is in El Valle de Antón. Aside from administration the center has an orchid garden and a nursery for local orchids and horticultural varieties.
As an ongoing project APROVACA is collaborating with the Institute of Agricultural Investigation of Panama (Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá, IDIAP) to reintroduce endemic local orchids into their natural habitats.
Since March 2010 APROVACA has been a member of the Orchid Conservation Coalition
Orchid Conservation Coalition
The Orchid Conservation Coalition is a grassroots organization made up of people, orchid societies, and orchid businesses dedicated to raising awareness and money for orchid conservation.-Programs of the Orchid Conservation Coalition:...
.
APROVACA (Spanish Asociación de Productores de Orquídeas de El Valle y Cabuya) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native Panamanian orchid species in danger of extinction.
The organization was founded on May 14, 2001 in El Valle de Anton, province of Cocle.
The local orchids in El Valle de Anton are facing two main problems: deforestation and poaching. The trees in the surrounding mountains are being cut down, and since most orchids are epiphytes (meaning they grow on trees), this practice deprives orchids of their natural habitat. The act of poaching orchids to take home or sell at market has also been a major problem in El Valle de Anton.
The mission of APROVACA is to contribute to the conservation of endangered Panamanian orchids. Their project consists of propagating about 100 different kinds of native orchids and reintroducing them back to the wild. After nurturing them at APROVACA, the orchid plants are brought to the national nature reserve called Cerro Gaital, where they are secured on local tree species, their preferred habitat.
As an ongoing project APROVACA is collaborating with the Institute of Agricultural Investigation of Panama (Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá, IDIAP) to reintroduce endemic local orchids into their natural habitats.[1]
Since March 2010 APROVACA has been a member of the Orchid Conservation Coalition.[2]