The Committee
- Don Merton (Patron)
- Mike Britton
- Isabel Castro
- Julian Fitter (Chairman)
- Susan Morris
- Rachel Riley
- Colin Ryder (Treasurer)
- Alan Saunders
- Duncan Scott
- Paula Warren (Secretary)
About Don Merton (Patron):
Prior to his retirement in 2005 Don Merton was a senior member of the NZ Department of Conservation’s Biodiversity Recovery Unit, & National Kakapo Team. Formerly from Gisborne, Don has had a life-long interest and involvement in endangered species management, having been employed by the New Zealand Wildlife Service (NZWS)/Department of Conservation (DOC) since 1957. A pioneer in the management of threatened species, Don is known for his key role in the rescue and recovery of some of his country’s - and the world’s - most endangered birds.
Together with others he developed and pioneered a variety of techniques to help populations of threatened species. These were instrumental in the success of several conservation efforts: the establishment of a second population of the North Island saddleback, and averting extinction of the South Island saddleback; the rescue and recovery of the black robin which Don led in the 1980’s; the eradication of Norway rats from four small islands in the Noises group, Hauraki Gulf. The first time that rats had been deliberately eradicated from a New Zealand island; and the ongoing Kakapo recovery programme.
Don has led endangered species recovery and island restoration projects in Australia, Fiji, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), and has authored or co-authored ~160 publications including books, peer-reviewed scientific papers, popular articles & technical reports - so disseminating knowledge & experience.
Among his many awards are: the Queen’s Service Medal for services to New Zealand (1989); the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement (1990); An honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Massey University for his contribution to science (1992); the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) Medal for his “international contribution to species survival (1994); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Roll of Honour for his “outstanding contributions to the protection and improvement of the environment (1998); BirdLife International Conservation Achievement Award for achievements during his 48 year career in the rescue and recovery of endangered birds (2004)
About Julian Fitter:
I am a conservationist, naturalist and writer with a special interest in island ecosystem and the battle to rid those ecosystems of alien invaders.
In 1964 I sailed to the Galapagos Islands and spent the next 15 years there. I established the first yacht charter business there. In 1997 I was instrumental is setting up the UK based Galapagos Conservation Trust which I served as its first Chairman, I am now one of their Ambassadors.
In 1977 I visited the Falkland Islands and became involved in developing tourism there. As a result I was closely involved in 1981 in establishing Falklands Conservation and served as its first Secretary, I am now a Vice President. I am a member of the Tristan Biodiversity Action Group which advises the Government of Tristan da Cunha, and Chair of the recently formed Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Group.
I have written two books; one on Galapagos wildlife, the other on New Zealand wildlife, with two more in the pipeline, and contributed to a major work on Albatross. I have been living in New Zealand for the last four years and spend much of my time marvelling at New Zealand’s native fauna and flora.
About Colin Ryder:
Twenty years experience in project managing and resourcing conservation projects in the Wellington region; including eradication of mice on Mana Island (at the time the largest rodent eradication in the world and still the one of the largest involving mice); convenor of Wellington South Coast Marine Reserves coalition which applied for the recently established Taputeranga marine reserve in Wellington; and translocations of several bird, reptile, invertebrate and rare plants species to Mana
Raised approximately $2 million for conservation projects and activities;
Chair of Wellington branch, Forest & Bird for three years, during which time “Natural Wellington” (a strategic blueprint for restoring Wellington’s natural environment) and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary were initiated by the Branch; Member of Forest and Bird National Executive for three years; Run workshops on strategic planning for environmental groups; Foundation and current president of the Friends of Mana Island Inc; Foundation trustee and current Chair of the Wellington Natural Heritage Trust which purchased and manages an area of native forest in Wellington; Deputy Chair of Matiu/Somes Island Charitable Trust; Treasurer of Native Bird Rescue Wellington Trust; and Treasurer of FOGNZ.
Awarded Forest and Bird “Old Blue” - a national award for services to nature conservation
Awarded Wellington Region Conservation Award 2005
About Alan Saunders:
Alan Saunders has been involved in wildlife recovery, threatened species management and habitat restoration for more than 35 years. He has held technical roles with the New Zealand Wildlife Service and the Department of Conservation, including work on endangered species such as kiwi, kokako and tuatara. Alan also coordinated the national ‘Mainland Islands’ programme where intensive multi-pest control is aimed at restoring biodiversity at selected sites on the main islands of New Zealand. Between 2003 and 2008 he managed the Pacific Invasives Initiative’s coordinating team, based in the Invasive Species Specialist Group’s headquarters at the University of Auckland. This partnership programme is focused on raising awareness and building capacity to manage invasive species in the Pacific Region. Alan is now employed by Landcare Research to manage its international invasive species management programme, facilitating inputs of New Zealand expertise to projects offshore. In addition to being on the FOGNZ Committee Alan is also a trustee of the Hamish Saunders Memorial Fund for Marine Conservation, which also has links with the Galapagos.
About Duncan Scott:
Duncan is a director in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ climate change and
sustainability practice. He is a chartered accountant, and spent 13 years
working in the UK before moving to Wellington in 2004. Duncan was inspired
to join the FOGNZ Board following a memorable trip to the Galapagos Islands
in January 2007.