ARTICLE : PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT

 August 2001 – President’s Annual Report

It has been another busy year for the Society.   I would like to thank all those members who have contributed in so many ways to the running of the Society as well as towards the study of botany and the protection and management of important botanical features and areas.

Trips

There has been a successful trip programme, with good attendances as follows:
2000
September: Ngawihi rare annuals (18)
October: Queen Elizabeth Park (27)
November: Waikanae reserves (27)
December: Atiwhakatu – Lowes Bush (15)
2001
January: Horowhenua (32)
February: Makara Foreshore Reserve (27)
March: Te Marua Bush Workbee
April: Paengaroa/Mangaweka/Whitiau/Castlecliff
May: Tapu Te Ranga Marae (7)
June: Wainuiomata Water Catchment (18)
July: Galbraiths Gully and “Jasmine Grove” Reserve (21)
July: Te Marua Workbee (11)
August: Maara Roa (17)
Thank you to all the trip leaders for your assistance.

Speakers

The evening meetings have been addressed by excellent speakers as follows:
2000
August: Dr Patrick Brownsey – NZ pteridophyte flora
September: Shannel Courtney – rare and threatened plants of NW Nelson and Marlborough
October: Susan Timmins – weeds and need for surveillance
November: Fanie Venter – Dracophyllum
2001
February: Dr Phil Garnock-Jones – Taxonomy of Hebe
March: members’ evening
April: Debra Wotton – Mana Island lizard seed dispersal
May: Dr Ian Atkinson – AP Druce Memorial Lecture
June: Dr Geoff Park – Evolution of the scenic reserve
July: Vivienne Nicholls – Campbell Island megaherbs
Thank you to these people who prepared presentations and delivered them to one of our monthly Monday evening meetings, and prepared a summary for our newsletter.   Thank you to Victoria University for providing the venue.

Society Rules

The society updated its rules after many years.   This included revising the Society objectives and membership categories, and updating various procedural matters to reflect current practice.   Thank you especially to Peter Beveridge for steering the process and to others who contributed ideas and feedback.

Te Marua Bush

There were two workbees this year.   I would like to thank Wellington Regional Council for the grant for the years 2001 – 2003 which will be used for plant pest control work (especically Tradescantia) and for paying Upper Hutt Branch, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, for potting mix used to raise seedlings used for the restoration work.

Awards

Congratulations to John Dawson who received the Alliance Francaise Dunmore Medal for the study of botany of New Caledonia and to Barbara Mitcalfe, Chris Horne and Gary James who received Conservation Week Awards.

Restoration

This year the NZ Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN) was formed.   This recognises the increasing amount of work in ecological restoration throughout New Zealand.   Many Society members were involved in practical sessions to help set up the network in Wellington.   This included sessions on pest plants, waterways, seeds / propagation / planting as well as a celebratory day at Tapu Te Ranga Marae.   There are numerous restoration projects continuing throughout the region, many involving BotSoccers.

Thank you

Thank you to the committee for all their help during this year including those who are leaving the committee (Arnold Dench, Peter Beveridge and Robyn Smith).   Thank you especially to Barbara Clark who agreed to become secretary soon after the last AGM. Thank you to Julia White who began the secretary role but had to retire.

Thank you to Barbara Mitcalfe for the large amount of work co-ordinating submissions on plans and policies affecting botanical values.   Thank you to Chris Horne and Barbara Mitcalfe for compiling the newsletter three times a year, and Julia White for help with typing.   The newsletter is extremely comprehensive and a credit to the Society.   Thank you to Jeremy Rolfe for newsletter and bulletin layout; NZ Print for their prompt, quality printing; Desiree Wilkinson for preparing the address labels; members who help with newsletter distribution.

Finally, thank you to Wellington Conservancy, Department of Conservation, for their assistance and in particular for their $1000 donation recognising the Society’s contribution to botany, especially in the Wellington Region.

Victoria Froude, President