Collaborating with researchers from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, they spent 10 days gathering specimen from among the 90 species of orchids located on Palau, which will allow research aimed at protecting endangered orchids. This is the first time Zettler has traveled to Palau to conduct research, although the orchid expert has traveled the world conducting similar research. 

“We want to study these and find ways to preserve them so they don’t go extinct,” he said. Illinois College has one of Trip to Palau promotes orchid research the few facilities where the fungi and orchid samples can be studied in the U.S. The Department of Agriculture requires a variety of permits to bring them into the country. 

Walter, who hopes to go to medical school after graduating from IC, said he learned more about what goes into this type of research — both in the field and in the lab. Beyond studying orchids, the group also learned about the history and culture of the area, which included a snorkeling expedition that brought them close to the remains of a sunken Japanese airplane that had been used in World War II. 

There is currently only a rudimentary understanding of the ecology of orchids of Palau. IC’s ongoing research under the direction of Zettler is an effort to further the goals of the Smithsonian’s global orchid conservation program.