Jay O'Neill

Trained as a plant ecologist, Jay was first introduced to orchids as a student intern at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. That internship began a 40-year adventure with the Smithsonian Institution, studying a variety of plants in their native habitats throughout the mid-Atlantic region and tropical locations, including mangroves in Belize and forests in the Yucatan. His fascination with orchids is a natural fit with the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC), founded by his colleague Dennis Whigham. Created to secure the genetic diversity of native orchids and their symbiotic fungi, NAOCC also has a strong educational component to raise public awareness about the complexities of orchids, the challenges they face and their role as indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Although retired, he continues his association with NAOCC, maintaining their website, Go Orchids, and promoting educational initiatives such as the orchid-gami project.