Smithsonian Orchid Collection Specialist, Tom Mirenda
| When: | August 6, 7:30 p.m. | |
| Where: | National Zoo Visitor Center Auditorium |
This lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 
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The orchid family has adapted to almost every environment on earth, and there are more than 25,000 natural species of orchids in the world. Unfortunately, due mostly to habitat loss or poaching, many of these special species are threatened or endangered.
Tom Mirenda, Smithsonian Institution's orchid collection specialist, has a special mission to help preserve and save these beautiful plants. Mirenda has been growing orchids since he was a child and has become an advocate for orchids the world over. He has traveled the globe, speaking to people about the orchid family, delivering messages of conservation and collaboration to save endangered orchid species.
You can catch Mirenda talking about orchids with Tom Cavanagh (star of TV's Ed) in "Beauty," an episode of the Smithsonian Channel's series, Stories from the Vaults.
Join Tom Mirenda for a lively presentation with spectacular images from the Smithsonian’s orchid collection. Mirenda’s presentation will focus on orchid conservation. He will discuss the need for cooperation between plant and animal conservationists in order to improve conditions for all species, and what the general public can do to help.
| 6:30 p.m. | Grab a drink from the cash bar, mingle with Zoo staff to learn about the Zoo's
conservation efforts, and meet Tom Mirenda. |
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| 7:30 p.m. | Lecture |
Parking is free, but we encourage you to take public transportation to the Zoo.
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