Lincoln University is saddened by the death on Sunday of a former Lincoln University Associate Professor and Manager of the campus-based Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation, Dr David Given.
David was a nature conservationist of world renown and was closely associated with the work of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, chairing the Plant Conservation Committee of its Species Survival Commission.
In working towards a global rescue effort for endangered plants, David was a tireless presenter, lobbyist and networker at international conferences and with international agencies.
In 1995 he was awarded the Loder Cup by the Minister of Conservation for services to plant conservation.
His close association with Lincoln University followed a career of nearly 30 years as a research scientist with the old DSIR. As a part-time lecturer at Lincoln University in the 1990s and into the 2000s he taught a range of subjects including landscape ecology, conservation biology, nature conservation and ethnobotany.
In addition to lecturing, he was Manager of the Centre for Nature Conservation, now the Isaac Centre. It was particularly for his work with the establishment and management of the centre and in recognition of his international stature in the fields of environmental management and conservation that he was appointed an Associate Professor in February 2000.
David retired from Lincoln University to take up what he described as a dream position as Curator of Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Roger J Field
Vice Chancellor