Dr Colin Meurk, of Christchurch, ONZM, for services to ecological restoration
Dr Colin Meurk was a landscape ecologist for what is now Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, helping design, plan and implement ‘Greening Waipara’, integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services into a wine-growing cultural landscape. He co-developed the landscape model that drives many catchment scale restoration plans. He helped obtain reserve status for Travis Wetland in Christchurch and is President of Travis Wetland Trust. He is founding Chair of iNaturalist New Zealand, Mātaki Taiao. He has served on many Ōtākaro (Avon river) and Ōpāwaho (Heathcote river) committees. He conceived and helped implement the Christchurch 360 Trail. He serves on the Otamahua-Quail Island Restoration Trust, Canterbury WEA Council, and Environment Canterbury Biosecurity Advisory Group, and has been advisor to several restoration projects. Dr Meurk founded the Centre for Creative Transitions to Sustainable Futures.