Work to protect NZ's forests recognisedFriday 12 Apr 2024
The award recognises outstanding contributions to New Zealand biosecurity over at least 10 years. Richardson, a principal scientist in Scion’s Plant Protection Physics and Chemistry team, has worked at Scion since 1983 and research during his 41-year career has focused on forest protection, particularly in the areas of biosecurity and pest management. His expertise in pesticide application has been applied to pest eradication operations and more recently to the problem of wilding conifers, where his aerial spraying guidelines now underpin the Wilding Conifer Control Programme. Richardson also helped eradicate invasive insects including the painted apple moth, white-spotted tussock moth, and southern saltmarsh mosquito. Successful invasions of these pests could have crippled New Zealand’s horticulture and forestry exports What keeps many people in science, Richardson says, is a sense of curiosity. “That sense of discovery is really exciting, but for me, it’s adding value. Seeing something you do of use to someone. That motivates me. Working with teams has always been a big part of it too.” When Richardson looks back on his career, it’s the people he reflects on. “Anything I’ve achieved has been with the support and partnership of others who I feel all share in this award. Sadly, some of those who helped me on my career journey are no longer with us, but I will still acknowledge their contributions.” He also remembers some challenging and successful projects that became career highlights. “I think some have shared common characteristics. They’ve been complex problems with clear goals or challenges for the science to overcome. They’ve involved partnerships between policymakers, the science teams and people managing operations. We've worked closely together as a team and that’s really key to success,” he says. Forest Owners Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says Richardson’s recognition is well deserved. “ It’s really important for scientists in the forest industry to be recognised. Scientists generally, and those who work in the forest industry in particular, tend to be overlooked when awards are handed out. So recognition through a Ministerial Award is tremendous news.” The award is the latest in a list of Richardson’s achievements including the NZ Institute of Forestry ‘Forester Of the Year’ Award in 2015, a Science New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and New Zealand Plant Protection Medal in 2022. Source: Scion  | ||
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