Crimson Spider Orchid hiding on Nail Can Hill

Balancing Community recognition and conservation biology

Efficiency - LEP_23-019_LLC11

The issue

The Crimson Spider Orchid (Caladenia concolor) is a glorious and vivid endangered orchid known to occur at only a few locations. One is on Nail Can Hill Albury, where small, fragile populations occur in high-conservation woodland. Its survival is uncertain and limited by low recruitment, small population size, the risk of browsing by deer and trampling or disturbance when people seek out the rare flowers.

The challenge is to strengthen the local population while encouraging community care and species recognition without publicising precise plant locations AND encouraging people to keep a look out for wild occurrences through citizen science.

The solution

The 'Saving Our Species' programs recovery strategy includes propagating seedlings, translocating them into carefully selected, caged habitat with suitable soil, vegetation and pollinator conditions. Planting, monitoring and site care are supported by agency staff, orchid specialists, and trained volunteers.

Community engagement has focused on helping people recognise the Crimson Spider Orchid, to 'quietly' map any plants they find, to understand its threatened status and value Nail Can Hill’s biodiversity, while keeping exact locations of known sites confidential to reduce accidental damage and protect plants from being “loved to death”.

The impact

The on-going work is slowly increasing the number of plants and is building local capacity for threatened orchid conservation. It is demonstrating how science-based translocation can be paired with practical community stewardship: people learn what makes the orchid special, but protection remains the priority. By combining propagation, careful planting, monitoring and sensitive communication, the work helps safeguard one of Albury’s rarest species while fostering pride in Nail Can Hill’s natural heritage and increasing recognition of key species.

BioNet Profile Sing Our Species Wild Orchids Project @FriendsofNailCanHillAlbury

Murray LLS Fact Sheet - Crimson Spider Orchid