The Orchid Specialist Group (OSG) of the Species Survival Commision (SSC) of IUCN - The World Conservation Union is an international network of professional and non-professional volunteers who are committed to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of orchid species and their habitats.  The OSG was first established in 1984 and now has more than 200 members from over 50 countries, including many leading scientists, each with expertise in various disciplines that are vital in implementing effective orchid conservation strategies.  These include orchid taxonomists, ecologists, population biologists, data managers, commercial and amateur growers, in vitro propagation experts, seed bank managers, reintroduction and restoration specialists, nature reserve managers, specialists in conservation education and training, and international wildlife legislation experts.  More than 150 organisations and societies with conservation interests are represented, including botanic gardens, herbaria, universities, nurseries, government departments and orchid societies.

OSG Mission

To assist in international efforts to conserve plant diversity, by providing technical support and encouragement for the development and execution of programmes to study, document, save, restore and manage wisely orchids and their habitats.

OSG Strategic Plan 2000-2005

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The SSC is the largest of the six commissions of IUCN - The World Conservation Union, and consists of a network of some 7,000 members deployed in more than 120 taxonomic, regional and thematic Specialist Groups and Task Forces.  The SSC conducts its activities in accordance with its mandate as established by the World Conservation Congress.  It serves as the main source of advice to the Union and its members on the technical aspects of species conservation, and seeks to mobilise action by the world conservation community for species conservation, particularly those species threatened with extinction and those important to human welfare.