Advice on how to approach an issue for Orchidboard
 

Please can someone help with advice on how to approach an issue?

I am passionate about conservation and tropical rainforest (I am author of two travel guides to the Amazon rainforest). I am also a volunteer for a group called SavingSpecies. We buy degraded "trash" land in species-rich areas, and pay local people to reforest the land to restore the area's habitat. Buying cheap land means we get the most bang for our donors' bucks. We have scientists review the projects to make sure they will achieve the goals we set out.

Our latest project is to save a species of rare Dracula orchid (see photo) in Colombia. We've bought some of the land and need to raise more money to buy the rest. We're totally psyched about this, and are doing what we can to raise funds. But since all donations go to the programs we don't have money for slick ad campaigns, etc.

So I am asking for your help to figure out a good way that I might be able to ask Orchidboard folks to consider helping us out. Of course, I don't want to spam the board! I love orchids and totally respect the board and all the great people that participate. But if folks on the board want to help us, is there a good way to approach that?

You can read more about the project and organization on our website: http://savingspecies.org/

I know the moderators and admins work hard on behalf of the group, so any help you can give to help connect with Orchidboard members would be wonderful. I'd so much appreciate your thoughts and feedback.

Dude, I dont think you have an issue.

Most of the members maybe have their own projects and charity to be passionate about in their own communities.
Many orchidgrowers are also from check to check basis because most of them are retired.
The leisurely rich with too much time on their hands and collect orchids just for status (unlike the rest of us who collect orchids because we love them) have also charities of their own and tax deductable at that...
Be patient. Whoever wants to help will help. No need to stress on it...meantime continue your good work...and may your tribe increase

Sorry - I got your pm, and meant to answer, then had things away from the computer that got my attention.

Myself, I wouldn't have a problem with just a post, but I'm not the big cheese - hopefully others can chime in. Seems like a very worthy cause.

Good thoughts, thank you! What do you think is the best place to post if mods think it is okay?

Well you said your group has done this before. How did you raise funds to buy the other lands that your group bought? If that system worked then why are you using this way to raise funds?ginnibug

Good question, ginnibug.

We relied on reaching out to interested folks. For example, when we raised funds to protect the golden lion tamarin in Brazil, we went to small groups and individuals who are interested in primate conservation.

So we like to connect with folks who are passionate about the specific plants or animals in a conservation/restoration area. To our minds, it gives a donor the opportunity to be more focused than giving to a general conservation fund (which often siphons off a significant portion for overhead).