Mendip Heads to Ecuador

A level student, Jacob Coles is heading to Ecuador next year to lecture at the World Orchid Conference on Global Orchid Conservation.

He explained this week “My lecture proposal has been approved by the organising committee for inclusion in the scientific lecture programme and so I will be speaking to scientists, botanists and conservationists from across the world.”

Simon Pugh-Jones, Science Teacher added, “We are very proud of Jacob’s achievement. He will be the youngest scientist speaking to the conference and will talk about his own experiences of orchid conservation in Africa and the UK.”

Jacob’s work with the Writhlington School Orchid Project is well known. He has led treks through the Rwandan Rainforest for groups of Rwandan school students, set up orchid propagation facilities at Rwandan schools and colleges and has been a driving force behind the project’s success at British and European orchid shows.

Jacob recently qualified to become the world’s youngest international Orchid Judge and he is looking forward to the public show that accompanies the scientific conference in Ecuador.

Jacob will be giving a small extract from his lecture at Writhlington’s Orchid Christmas event on Wednesday 14 December. This public event from 6pm until 9pm is a chance to tour the famous orchid collection and buy unique plants and botanical art.

Photo – Jacob identifies plants in Rwandan Rainforest for local diploma students.

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