The purpose of this expedition is to study the three species of the palm genus Ponapea in the field (see Lost Palms of Micronesia). We will work with partners in Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Palau to learn more about the status of Ponapea and identify any threats to its survival. Our goals are to help produce species management plans, collect new specimens for natural history collections, and share our findings with local, regional, and international audiences.
Funding
Latham Expedition Fund
Dr. Lynn Leverett and Ms. Lane Park
Weeks Conservation Fund
Clarence Wolf Jr. and Alma B. Wolf Foundation
Expedition participants
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Christie Jones– Curator of Palms & Cycads
Faith Bishock– Member of the FTBG Board of Directors
Carl Lewis– Researcher in Palm Biology & conservation
National Tropical Botanical Garden
Steve Perlman– Research Biologist
Collaborating institutions
Belau National Museum
Conservation Society of Pohnpei
The Nature Conservancy
The Environment, Inc., Palau
New York Botanical Garden
Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization
Collaborating scientists
David Lorence, Director of Science, National Tropical Botanic Garden
William Raynor, Micronesia Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
Wayne Law, Postdoctoral Research Associate, New York Botanical Garden
Ann Kitalong, The Environment Inc., Palau
Andy George, Director, Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization
Posted on September 7, 2008
