Biology Seminar

Dr Colin Meurk

When: Friday 10th June, 1pm
Where: Waikato University, S.G.03

Campbell Island Daisy, Campbell Island.

Campbell Island (Subantarctic) has an eventful history with many strange and remarkable endemic plants and animals, a period of human exploitation of marine and land resources, a post-war commitment to conservation, recognition as a World Heritage Site, and management back to near pristine conditions. Colin Meurk has witnessed and documented the recovery of this island ecosystem over the past 40 years and will describe these dramatic changes while acknowledging some shadows that hang over these far flung island sanctuaries. In any event, a highly photogenic place.

Dr Colin Meurk is a senior ecologist at Landcare Research, a government research institute specialising in understanding and sustainable use of terrestrial resources. His special interests are biogeography, ecological restoration and design, landscape dynamics, urban ecology and conservation biology. He has major involvements with community restoration projects in and around cities (Travis Wetland Trust President, Quail island Trust Board Member, Ernle Reserve restoration committee, Maronan kanuka restoration adviser) and promotes integration of biodiversity within production landscapes - Greening Waipara and Te Ara Kakariki (green pathways across the Canterbury Plains). He has received a Christchurch (NZ) Civic Award, Loder Cup, Old Blue Award (Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society) and Ecology-in-Action Award (NZ Ecological Society) in recognition of his applied conservation work – and recently he has been associated with A Green Ribbon Award for Travis Wetland and Golden Foot Award for the CHCH Great Perimeter Walkway concept – projects for which Colin was instrumental in getting off the ground.

Southern Royal Albatross, Campbell Island.