Two NZPCN Members Honoured By the Linnean Society
The Linnean Society was founded in 1788 for the “cultivation of Science of Natural History in all its branches”, The society is named after Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) and is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London (www.linnean.org.). Past esteemed fellows include Sir Joseph Banks, Sir William and Joseph Hooker, and Charles Darwin. It was at the Linnean Society buildings that Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace’s paper on evolution by natural selection was first read.Many of New Zealand’s early resident “naturalists” were recognised by the Linnean Society and elected FLS, including such prominent people as James Hector, Thomas Kirk, Thomas Cheeseman, William Colenso, Walter Buller, Donald Petrie and Leonard Cockayne. With the advent of the New Zealand Royal Society and its own system of fellows fewer New Zealanders have been awarded an FLS. However, it may surprise people to know that there are still a few New Zealand born and elected fellows and these people are actively promoting the cause biosystematics.
The NZPCN is richly endowed with FLS, with the election of Dr David Norton the NZPCN council now has three FLS, and a further two are members of the organisation.
New Zealand born Dr David Norton has already had a distinguished career. He is an author of 95 papers published in peer-reviewed literature, and has contributed to several books. David is also an author of the upcoming NZPCN Field Guide to the Threatened plants of New Zealand. Dr Norton has always had a strong interest in plant conservation, New Zealand forest ecology, and threat classification systems. He has jointly named three new species, Coprosma fowerakeri D.A.Norton et de Lange, Atriplex hollowayi de Lange et D.A.Norton and Lepidium naufragorum Garn.-Jones et D.A.Norton. An Associate Professor at the School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, David has supervised numerous doctorates and masterates. David lectures in plant conservation, sustainable land management, ecology and biosystematics. His current interests include developing sensible ways to sustainably manage high country lease hold land. His nomination was supported by Mr Peter J. de Lange FLS and Dr Brian G. Murray FLS. NZPCN offer David their warmest congratulations on his successful election.
Dr Heidi Meudt works from the Herbarium at Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand. Originally from the U.S.A. Heidi, although a newcomer to biosystematics, has already received international recognition for her landmark monograph of the genus Ourisia (Plantaginaceae). She has published five papers in scientific peer reviewed literature and we are assured many more are on the way! Currently she is engrossed in a revision of Chionohebe (Plantaginaceae). Her nomination was supported by Mr Peter J. de Lange FLS, Dr David Galloway FLS, Dr Brian G. Murray FLS, and Professor Ian Spellerberg FLS. Again the NZPCN are delighted with Heidi’s recognition. Currently she is the youngest of New Zealand’s FLS. With her successful nomination there are now 17 FLS in New Zealand and two HFLS.
Posted: 22/02/2007