Forest and Bird President Wins Loder Cup

Forest and Bird, Issue 310, 1 November 2003, Page 4

Forest and Bird President Wins Loder Cup

he national president of Forest and Bird, Dr Gerry McSweeney, has been awarded the prestigious Loder Cup award for 2003. The Loder Cup is one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, made annually by the Minister of Conservation for outstanding contributions to the conservation of New Zealand’s native plant life. ‘Dr McSweeney has made a significant contribution to preserving New Zealand’s native flora, said the Minister, Hon Chris Carter, announcing the award. ‘He has been a lifetime champion of New Zealand’s native plants.’ ‘Dr McSweeney’s work has

included close involvement in the creation of the Department of Conservation, the establishment of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, and winning a halt to forest clearance and wetland drainage, the Minister said. ‘He was instrumental in the signing of the West Coast Forest Accord and the Tasman Forest Accord. He was also on the Government’s expert panel on the future management of the 130,000 hectares of Timberlands West Coast native forests, with an outcome that all of the forests were added to public conservation lands. ‘His advocacy for tussock grasslands has led to the

establishment of the Korowai/ Torlesse Tussocklands Park. ‘Since 1990, Dr McSweeney

has been instrumental as a member of the Nature Heritage Fund in protecting 180,000 hectares of conservation land, said Mr Carter. ‘These are some of the contributions which demonstrate how Dr McSweeney’s outstanding leadership and campaigning skills have resulted in the protection of large tracts of native flora in perpetuity for all New Zealanders, said Mr Carter. Earlier this year Gerry McSweeney was awarded an honorary second doctorate by his alma mater Lincoln University in recognition of his environmental work.