Planta Europa Awards

Recognition for Plant Biodiversity Champions

Some of the most committed individuals and organisations active in European plant conservation were awarded for their dedication and hard work at the fifth Planta Europa conference in Cluj Napca, Romania.

5 Silver Leaf Awards, 2 Linneaus Awards (a new award given as part of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the known as father of Taxonomy, the Swedish biologist Carl Von Linnaeus and the Jean Paul Galland Award were presented in recognition of excellence in plant conservation in Europe.

* Silver Leaf Awards Winners (more info)

Dr. Antoaneta Petrova. Antoaneta is one of the most respected botanists in Bulgaria, responsible of the establishment of many protected sites for conservation of biodiversity in the Eastern Rhodopes. She is a passionate advocator of wild plants and an outstanding scientist and conservationist who has worked for many years to inspire and transfer her knowledge to her numerous students.

 

Dr. Jane Smart. Plantlife International NGO founding member and former Chief Executive. She is a key figure in plant conservation now works with IUCCN (The World Conservation Union) as Head of the Species programme in Switzerland. Tireless, enterprising and enthusiastic worker, she has achieved milestones for plant conservation in the UK and in an international level. Though she would say none of it would have been possible without the commitment of the Plantlife staff team. She was appointed an OBE “for services to the conservation of wild plants” in 2003.

 

The Professor Ioan Pop,from Mărţihaz (Romania), has devoted his life and efforts to the research and teaching of Plant Sciences (Physiology and Botanic) in Cluj-Napoca University.

Author of many books for students, pioneer among the Romanian scientific community and his entire career dedicated to plants makes him a worthy winner of Planta Europa awards.

This recognition of his work is also a perfect opportunity to celebrate his 85 th anniversary.

 

Mr. Michael Scott . Scottish conservationist and passionate naturalist, Michael has focused his efforts vindicating the importance of engaging public in plant conservation. He has held numerous posts in conservation organisations (Scotland Plantlife coordinator, Deputy Chair of Scottish Heritage, Joint Nature Conservation Committee Board, Advisor on the Science Board for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and developer of Scottish Biodiversity Strategy) and is a committed and tireless writer and broadcaster. Also an OBE, he has been an invaluable supporter of Planta Europa Network since the first conference in 1995.

 

Dr. Oleg Maslovsky . Specialist in vascular plants and bryophytes in the Institute of Experimental Botany (National Academy of Sciences, Belarus) Oleg has contributed actively in the development of conservation policies and has been coordinator of Important Plant Area programme and Emerald Network in Belarus. He is especially interested in the field of environmental education, and has collaborated in the establishment of the Eco-Info Environmental Information Centre at the Yakub Kolas Central Science Library. He is an active member of the European Committee for the Conservation of Bryophytes and has made significant contributions to the Red List of European and East European Bryophytes.

 

* Linnaeus Award Winners (more info)

Prof. Vernon Heywood is an eminent scientist who has been active for many years in the fields of plant classification and evolution, and whose efforts are currently focused in the development of strategies for the conservation of germoplasm of wild species. He has published 67 books and 500 papers in scientific journals and has participated in more than 150 symposia throughout the world.

Professor Heywood has also worked extensively on medicinal and aromatic plants and founded and fostered numerous major projects and initiatives focussing on improving in plant protection including the world wide Network Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and ac coordinator of the UNEP Global Biodiversity Assessment).

 

Mr. Gavril Negrean. A Romanian scientist who has developed his work on taxonomy, corology, phytocenology and ecology; is has discovered a number of new rare species and is an exceptional contributor to the development of Romanian Red List of Endangered Species.

He managed of he Romanian Commission for Protection of the Natural Monuments and was active participant in the promotion of Natura 2000 sites in Romania.

 

 

Finally, this year’s winner of Jean Paul Galland Award The Award which commemorates the French botanist and conservationist, and beloved founder of Planta Europa, Jean Paul Galland , who died tragically during a plane crash in 1996. In 2007 this Award was given posthumously to Mr. Richard Sandbrook , an inspiration to people working for conservation and sustainable development across the globe. Richards’ many achievements from co-founding Friends of the Earth, to engaging the Mining industry In conservation are too numerous to record here but his passion for plants was the one thing that ensured his total support for botanical organisations such as Planta Europa, Plantlife International, the Plant Talk Partnership and the world famous Eden Project. His energy, enthusiasm, commitment to the cause and his ability to have fun knew no limits . He believed firmly in the direct relation between environmental stewardship and poverty alleviation, and worked tirelessly to achieve the goal of livelihood improvement and community welfare. He was a tremendous inspiration and tremendous fun to be with. We miss him very much.