Help Sandrine Conserve Rwanda's Rare Orchids

Rwanda’s rare orchids face habitat loss and extinction. Your donation supports conservation efforts including nursery development and new plant collecting activities. Help me safeguard these stunning plants for future generations. Every contribution makes a difference! Donate today and be a champion for Rwanda’s orchids.

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Hi, my name is Sandrine Uwase and I'd like your help to save Rwanda's orchids!

For those of you who don't know me, I have spent the previous

3 years working with Dr. Michael Thomas on the conservation of Rwanda's endangered orchids through my Master's degree program at the University of Rwanda.

I believe orchids are an important part of our forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, they have been understudied in Rwanda due to their small size, long dormancy periods, and a perception of unimportance to ecosystems.

Rwanda has a large diversity of orchids, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world! Due to many threats, including habitat fragmentation, urbanization, illegal collection, and climate change, they comprise the most threatened group of plants in Rwanda. Many of Rwanda's threatened orchid species have just one or two small populations left and won't be able to survive without conservation intervention. Locating wild populations, field collecting, and propagating plants in a nursery is a first step and one of the best ways we can increase declining population numbers. At present, I am the only person with the knowledge to do this but I lack a good greenhouse facility, supplies, and equipment.

This is where I ask for YOUR help to get the ball rolling so I can play a larger part in orchid conservation.

Unfortunately, the costs required to set myself up with the equipment needed are out of reach for me. Donated funds will help cover a larger nursery, nursery equipment, supplies, and irrigation. I also plan to present a paper at an international science meeting, and I also require funding to apply for my PhD program.

Reaching this goal would mean the world to me as this is something I am very passionate about and I greatly appreciate any help you can provide.

I have worked for the National Herbarium of Rwanda since 2020 and am a member of the national rare plant conservation team. I’m hoping to continue working as a conservationist specializing in orchid conservation and your support will be a great step towards that goal.

If you want any more information about myself and my interests, here are some links:

National Herbarium - Sandrine Uwase

Research Gate - My Research