2009 Loder Cup winner - Dr Philip Simpson
Introduction
The Loder Cup winner for 2009 is Nelson botanist, Dr Philip Simpson. The Loder Cup recognises Philip's dedication to conserving and promoting New Zealand’s native plant life.
Dr Philip Simpson with the Loder Cup and Minister of Conservation Hon Tim Groser with one of Philip's award winning books Pohutukawa and Rata
The Loder Cup winner for 2009 is Nelson botanist Dr Philip Simpson. The Loder Cup recognises Philip's dedication to conserving and promoting New Zealand’s native plant life.
In presenting Philip with the Loder Cup, the Minister of Conservation Hon Tim Groser said, “Dr Simpson is an extremely worthy recipient of this prestigious award. His lifetime commitment to protecting indigenous flora and his work with communities makes him an outstanding advocate for conservation."
The Minister said that the greatest conservation investment is to invest in an educated public, and to that end he acknowledged Philip's communication skills and his ability to share technical information with non-technical audiences. Philip has written two award-winning books, “Dancing leaves” (about the cabbage tree) and “Pohutukawa and Rata: New Zealand’s Iron-Hearted Trees”. Philip is also a recent recipient of Creative New Zealand’s Michael King Writers’ Fellowship.
The Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board nominated Philip for the Loder Cup.