Christchurch terrestrial ecologist, Dr Judith Roper-Lindsay FEIANZ CENvP, has received international recognition for her contribution to environmental practice.

Dr Roper-Lindsay was presented with the Environmental Practitioner of the Year Award for 2016 by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) and the Environmental Practitioner Certification Board at a function in Christchurch on Thursday 9 February 2017. 

Attendees included work colleagues, Institute members, environmental practitioners, family and friends. The Award was presented by Simon Beale, New Zealand representative of the Certification Board who said it was not only a special moment for Dr Roper-Lindsay, but for him as a close colleague as well as the New Zealand environmental professional community. The Award was well-earned and warmly welcomed, supported and celebrated by the many who know Dr Roper-Lindsay.

Dr Roper-Lindsay has spent more than 30 years working in ecological planning and management providing ecological assessments of significant development projects throughout New Zealand. In doing so, Judith has shaped much of the practice that we carry out today.

Notably Dr Roper-Lindsay had led and overseen the development and completion of the Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines (EcIA) publication for the Institute. This document is now an accepted ‘go to’ document for best practice in this field. The Award recognises the dedication, collaboration and professionalism of Judith in producing such a needed guide.