Environmental Achiever
Sponsored by Real Journeys
Winner - Dr Alan Mark.
Dr Alan Mark is New Zealand's answer to David Bellamy. The Emeritus Professor of Botany at Otago University, Alan is a passionate and practical conservationist who has been working on behalf of the environment for over 40 years.
Although he's based in Dunedin, he spends much of his time and effort advocating for the protection of Southland's special places – from the Save Manapouri Campaign in the 1960s to the Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust in the 21st century.
Last night he was named Southland's Environmental Achiever in recognition of his efforts.
You're just as likely to find Alan leading students through the Borland mire or pulling out wilding pines on Mid Dome as in a lecture hall and he gives his time freely and liberally in the service of the southern environment.
Alan was the first chairman of the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, he is currently one of the Fiordland Marine Guardians, he's patron of the Pomona Island Charitable Trust and a trustee of the Les Hutchins Conservation Foundation and the Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust – and that's not the half of it!
Other Nominees
Clean, Green Effluent Company
As the number of dairy farms has increased in Southland, the effluent from herds of cows and the dairy sheds is having a major impact on Southland’s environment – particularly our waterways. Lindsay Lewis has made it his mission to design and refine improved systems for dealing with farm dairy effluent.
Pat Turnbull
Pat is the guardian of Sherwood Forest and has developed the Sherwood Heritage Museum. She has not only picked up the work of her late husband, Derek, she has brought her own dream to reality by setting up the Sherwood Heritage Museum.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.