Otago botanist receives top environmental award

University of Otago Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark has received the 2010 Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement, the Royal Society of New Zealand announced yesterday.

Sir Alan, who is an Emeritus Professor of Botany, is regarded as New Zealand’s leading environmental scientist and conservationist.

During his long research career he has explored and illuminated the ecology of southern ecosystems, in particular tussock grasslands, wetlands and alpine communities, through many highly influential publications.

The Charles Fleming Award is an environmental science award for protection of the New Zealand environment. It honours those who have achieved distinction in the protection, maintenance, management, improvement or understanding of the environment, in particular the sustainable management of the New Zealand environment.

The award is made every three years and consists of a medal, a cash grant, and an all expenses paid public lecture tour, visiting selected Royal Society Branches.