James Ardo and Richard Law
James Ardo and Richard Law
Geospatial analyst Richard Law and GIS analyst James Ardo won one of only three Best Paper Awards from the UK-based Big Earth Data journal for their 2024 paper on using discrete global grid systems (DGGS) for land use mapping. The Journal Award Committee selects papers on the basis of scientific merit and broad impact, originality of the research objectives, novelty in the opinions or in the research approaches, quality and accessibility of the data set and software tools, significance to the research filed and interest to readers, clarity of presentation, and citations and downloads.
Paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/20964471.2024.2429847
Marion Donald
Marion Donald
Ecologist Marion Donald was recently shortlisted for the L’Oréal UNESCO for Women in Science Australian & New Zealand Young Talents Fellowhips. These are very prestigious fellowships intended to provide practical financial help for the Young Talents to undertake research in their chosen fields, for example buying scientific equipment, paying for childcare costs, conference and travel costs – and to be shortlisted is a notable accolade.
Fungal Foray
Te Matakupenga / basket fungus / Ileodictyon cibarium
The Fungal Foray is an annual event at which fungi specialists from around the country meet to discover the fungi in our native forests and other environments, documenting new records of fungi, new host relationships, and possibly species new to science. As part of the 36th Foray, held this year in the forests near Ureni, Taranaki, a Fungus of the Year promotion was developed by Peter Buchanan and Karen Scott. Over 4,000 members of the public voted for their favourite fungus – with Te Matakupenga/the basket fungus announced as the clear winner, live on Radio New Zealand.
Soil-themed stamps
Soil-themed stamps
Our soil scientists assisted NZ Post with a new set of four soil-themed stamps issued nationwide in June 2025. Thanks to Thomas Caspari, Kirstin Deuss and Ursula Jewell for their technical input on the stamp designs and on the accompanying materials for collectors.