New Conservation Manager for Forest and Bird

Forest and Bird, Issue 310, 1 November 2003, Page 42

New Conservation Manager for Forest and Bird

GEOFF KEEY

A seasoned campaigner and conservationist, Kevin Hackwell, has been appointed Forest and Bird’s conservation manager. He replaces the former conservation manager Eric Pyle, who is now manager of social and environmental science policy at the Ministry of Research Science and Technology. ‘Kevin's special interest has been the conservation of native forest ecosystems, according to

the national president of Forest and Bird, Dr Gerry McSweeney. ‘At a time when the future of blue duck, yellowhead, kiwi and kaka has never been more in doubt because of the impact of predators, Kevin’s conservation campaigning skills will be crucial? Long active in the conservation movement, Kevin Hackwell served 19 years on the Tongariro/Taupo Conservation Board and its predecessor. In the 1980s, he was actively involved with Forest and Bird, campaigning to protect the forests of the South Island’s West Coast. He is also a former chair and deputy chair of Greenpeace New Zealand. Kevin Hackwell trained as an ecologist and worked as a scientist for the Ecology Division of the former Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1999, with economist Geoff Bertram, he co-authored the report Pests and Weeds: The Cost of Restoring the Dawn Chorus for the New Zealand Conservation Authority. Kevin Hackwell combines a strong background in the natural sciences with the desire to involve more people of all ages in celebrating and

protecting New Zealand’s heritage. ‘Those of us who have been campaigning for years need to nurture and encourage a new generation of young adult conservationists, Kevin Hackwell says. ‘Forest and Bird is a great organisation with a strong and committed membership and staff. I want to build on those outstanding strengths.’