Allan Mere Award for our Dr Carol West
Dr Carol West, Kate Jordan (Wellington Botanical Society), Anthony Wright (president NZ Botanical Society), Dr Patrick Brownsey (Allan Mere Award 2008), Dr Wendy Nelson (Allan Mere Award 2011).In September we learned that Dr Carol West, Chair of the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust (OWBT), was to be awarded the Allan Mere for 2022. The Allan Mere is awarded by the New Zealand Botanical Society to recognize outstanding botanists who make significant contributions to New Zealand botany. The pounamu mere is named after Harry Howard Allan – the first Director of the former DSIR Botany Division, and author of the first volume of the DSIR New Zealand Flora series.
Carol was nominated by the Wellington Botanical Society whose nomination was supported by the Waikato Botanical Society.
In her career Carol has contributed to the study and protection of New Zealand flora. Her areas of focus included vegetation regeneration and weed eradication. As well as her employment responsibilities, latterly as the Threats Management Manager and then Director Terrestrial Ecosystems for the Department of Conservation, Carol has been actively involved with the Wellington Botanical Society and other organisations such as the OWBT supporting and teaching about all aspects of New Zealand flora.
On the 22nd November a very happy gathering of botanists, professional and amateur, gathered at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Ōtari Visitors Centre, for the presentation of the Allan Mere to Carol by Anthony Wright, President of the New Zealand Botanical Society.
Congratulations Carol.
Posted: 15 December 2022