28 November 2024
Two renowned New Zealand ecologists were celebrated last night at the New Zealand Ecological Society conference in Rotorua.
Dr Colin O’Donnell, who works for the Department of Conservation, has spent more than 40 years researching the ecology of New Zealand’s unique birds and bats. He is without doubt the expert on New Zealand bats and their ecology.
O’Donnell was awarded the prestigious Te Tohu Taiao Award for Excellence by the Society, in recognition of his ecological research and conservation work which have directly improved the conservation of many threatened species and their habitats.
O’Donnell’s research, and the ecological evidence O’Donnell has presented at Environment Court Hearings over many years, has been instrumental to preventing the further decline or possible extinction of several threatened species.
Dr Mel Galbraith was posthumously awarded the Ecology in Action Award by the Society. Galbraith’s award was received by his wife and two of his daughters at the conference. The award judges noted the immense legacy he has left for biodiversity conservation and restoration in Aotearoa, particularly through his research, teaching and his work with conservation groups.
Galbraith, an expert in ecological restoration, was one of the founding members of four community conservation organisations: Pūkorokoro Miranda Naturalist Trust, Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Incorporated, Chelsea Regional Park Association, and NZ Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
O’Donnell and Galbraith were both recognised as hugely influential in training and mentoring the next generation of New Zealand ecologists.