At the 2009 ANPSA Conference at Geelong, Victoria, Australian Plants Awards for 2011 were conferred upon Bob Dixon (Professional award) and Merv Hodge (Amateur award). Bob Dixon’s citation is reproduced below.

Bob Dixon accepting the Australian Plants Award Photo: Kerry Smith

Bob Dixon

Bob Dixon is a key person within the Western Australian biodiversity management industry, who has made significant contributions to the knowledge of propagation of ‘local’ native plant species and towards the development of a practical and scientific approach to sustainable bushcare, both within Western Australia and nationally.

He has been a member of the Wildflower Society of WA since 1970 and has worked with King’s Park Botanic Gardens with native plants since that time, presently as Manager Biodiversity and Extensions within the Botanic Gardens and Park Authority.

His work has included the promotion of native plant displays, developing bushland management plans, managing significant landscape restoration projects, promoting community awareness of native plants, and advising government and land managers on appropriate management of ecosystems.

He has contributed his time generously to the wider community, sharing his knowledge, participating in bushcare projects and working as a volunteer in the management of Brixton Street Wetland, a threatened plant community in Perth.

As an effective communicator, he has written and published many articles on threatened species and weed management and contributed to a number of research papers. His lectures have been presented to a wide range of professional and community audiences and covered many topics.

This Australian Plants Award recognises his contributions and involvement in his work with new fields of conservation of native species. He has broken new ground in practical fieldwork with rare and endangered species of native flora and with the delicate balance of weed control in their habitats.