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Dr David Given FLS, well known to plant conservationists throughout the world for his pioneering work in the arena of indigenous plant conservation, died in Christchurch, New Zealand,on 27 November, 2005. David had been diagnosed with a terminal condition a year and a half earlier, but going into remission, continued to play an important role in the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN), an organisation he had helped to found.

A member of the NZPCN executive, David was also a player in the development of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, an important contributor to BGCI and chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Plant Conservation Committee.He was appointed as the Curator of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in New Zealand and in 2005 was awarded the New Zealand Ecological Society's celebrated Te Tohu Taiao Award for Ecological Excellence.

David had a strong affinity for the Chatham Islands, and was actively engaged in a major Marsden Funded research programme to determine the age, origin and evolution of that island's flora. As noted by the NZPCN, "David's death has left a huge gap to fill. He was not only a mentor, guide and incredibly witty, fun person to work with, but he was also a respected author of over 200 scientific papers and four books."

Further tributes to David Given's achievements can be found on the IUCN website  - (www.iucn.org) and at the New Zealand Network for Plant Conservation website (www.nzpcn.org.nz).

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