Brian Molloy Elected Companion of the Royal Society
The Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand has elected a strong advocate of native plant conservation, botanist Dr Brian Molloy ONZM, as a Companion.
The President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Dr Garth Carnaby, said the election of Brian Molloy was formal acknowledgement of the outstanding service he had given to botany and ecology in New Zealand and his willingness to share his knowledge.
“Brian is held in high esteem both in New Zealand and internationally for his contributions to understanding our native plants and their conservation. He has shared his knowledge and expertise with many people, actively engaging in a number of botanical societies over a very long period of time. Brian has a particularly high reputation in the farming community for his work with landowners to better manage vegetation of national significance. His career exemplifies true public service. “
Dr Molloy was recipient of the Plant Network’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He served on the Riccarton Bush Trust for the past 36 years. He was a director of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust from 1989-1998 and is currently a South Island field representative of the Trust. Dr Molloy began his career as a research scientist in agriculture later specialising in the conservation and ecology of native plants. Although retired, he continues to work as a botanical and conservation consultant and as a research associate with Landcare Research. In recognition of his stature, he has had two native plants named after him, the Cook Strait kowhai (Sophora molloyi in 2001) and the leafless orchid (Molloybas cryptanthus in 2002).
Posted: 22/02/2011