Thank you, Georgina, from us all
An appreciation of Georgina Mace, who passed away on 19th September 2020. Colleague and friend, IUCN Commission member Eleanor Jane Milner-Gulland reflects on Georgina’s legacy in the conservation movement.
Georgina Mace, at BBVA Foundation's headquarters.
Photo: Javi Martínez on elmundo.es.
If you look at Georgina Mace's Wikipedia page you will see a long list of honours and awards. These include Fellow of the Royal Society (the highest honour for a scientist in the UK), Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (!), honorary degrees, and many prizes from scientific and ecological societies (e.g. the President's Medal from the British Ecological Society). These awards show the very high esteem in which she was held, as well as reflecting her major contributions to science and policy, but they hardly scratch the surface - and really don't reflect the warm, humorous, sharp, unassuming and thoughtful person we all knew.
I first met Georgina in 1991 as a young post-doc. I was asked to join a group she was leading, to develop the categories and criteria for the IUCN Red List. This followed a revolutionary paper which she'd written with Russ Lande setting out a proposal for more objective classification of species based on their extinction risk. The results of that early work are obvious to all - the Red List is now an enormously influential and respected categorisation of species by their extinction risk. But it all started quite modestly, with a small group meeting on a regular basis in a back room of the Zoological Society of London.
I was overawed - to be part of a group consisting of some of the smartest, most influential conservation scientists in the world, and for no obvious reason. But Georgina made me feel at home, she ensured that my voice was given just as much respect as everyone else's. That first major experience with collaborative working and understated but effective leadership left me with a foundational understanding of how to do science in a respectful and generous way - also tinged with humour. It was just a lot of fun! My strongest memory of those days was once when we were arguing about some point in the group and, unusually, I disagreed with her; we were mostly on the same wavelength because we were both coming from a relatively scientific perspective. She smiled at me and said "Oh, E.J., I thought you were my friend!". I almost burst with pride.
I tell this story not because there is anything special about it. That's the impressive thing about Georgina. If you look at the tributes pouring in on twitter, so many of them are the same - about people's lives being enriched by contact with her, whether brief or prolonged, and often at an early stage in their career. How many people had a boost to their confidence at a critical stage, learnt how to lead from watching her example, and went on to have more successful, more fulfilling careers as a result? A great many, judging from these tributes. This example was particularly galvanising for women. Georgina had three children, yet she rose to the top of her profession. She was kind, yet stood no nonsense. In the early days, she was often the only woman in a room full of men. We were inspired that we could perhaps emulate her.
Georgina was particularly in demand to attend workshops and chair meetings. Slightly terrifying because she never shirked from telling you what she thought of your ideas, but if you got the seal of approval from Georgina, you knew you were on to something good. She was a master at distilling to the essence of an issue and cutting straight to the weak point in any argument. While an approachable leader, she was not afraid to do what needed to be done to put an organisation back on track; I saw her in operation as Director of the Institute of Zoology, reorganising the publications team of the British Ecological Society, leading the Centre for Population Biology at Imperial College London. Sometimes the changes were painful, but she was always proved right in the end.
The trajectory from "pure" scientist, to conservation scientist, to contributor to policy is becoming more well-trodden now, but Georgina was a pioneer. Her first paper, published in 1980 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences was entitled "Brain size and ecology in small mammals and primates". In the mid-80s she started to publish more applied research alongside her pure science - particularly focussed on conservation genetics. This science continued, but with the Red List work she launched into the world of practical application of science to real-world conservation issues. Her interests shifted into understanding extinction risk and priority-setting for conservation. She co-organised a landmark symposium at ZSL in 1998 on "Conservation in a Changing World" - a prescient topic. Yet another contribution ahead of the curve was her co-authored 1999 piece in Nature entitled "It's time to work together and stop duplicating efforts...". More true now than ever.
The further evolution of her career was marked by her piece in Conservation Biology in 2003 with Walter Reid urging conservation biologists to take part in the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment so that policy would be informed by the best science; her deep involvement in the MEA (and then the National Ecosystem Assessment for the UK) ensured exactly that. These landmark contributions highlighted her capability as an interdisciplinary scientist with a keen appreciation of how to ensure that science contributed to policy. She contributed to so many of the assessments and processes that have formed the foundation of governmental action for conservation in recent years, notably working closely with economists.
To finish, two vignettes about the last few days before she died. On 10th September, an incredibly important paper came out in Nature on which she was a leader; this showed that there is still scope to "bend the curve" and restore nature (a framing she was instrumental in developing); conservation is necessary but not sufficient, we need systems change as well. On 18th September, one of Georgina's PhD students had the very first paper from her PhD accepted, on parameter uncertainty and bushmeat sustainability for duikers, which we were proudly celebrating when we heard the news. Unassuming, private, humane, deeply caring about the many people who counted her as a friend or mentor, and one of the most influential conservationists of her generation.
Georgina had been ill off and on for a long while, though she never made a fuss. Recently she told me that she was going to reduce her commitments so as to do more of the things she enjoyed, including being with her family at a new house by the river in Oxfordshire. She had also just become a grandmother. She wasn't given long enough to enjoy these times. Georgina we will miss you terribly - and thank you from all of us!
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The Loss of an Icon
The "Red List" leadership task that Georgina took on for IUCN, was a monumental one. Risk and uncertainty in the science of predicting extinction, for both plants and animals, combined in innovative ways to produce a simplified system, that could be implemented by diverse people, and yet provide consistency over time. All within the sometimes stormy environment of conservation advocacy. I hope an unedited personal version of how Georgina achieved success, is published. In interacting with Georgina personally over crocodiles and sea turtles - both complex and controversial - I was impressed by the calm, humble, welcoming and genuine approach she always adopted. More keen to investigate potential flaws in her creation, than to receive accolades - the mark of a true scientist. Georgina was a real icon within IUCN, with remarkable social, scientific and diplomatic skills. I guess I have always thought of her as "British to the Core"! A truly sad passing but her story and legacy will live on.
Appreciation and condolence
Global scientific community lost Georgina, a great scientific personality who has done great scientific works and had several scientific contributions. Pray for peace of her soul. We will be remembering her.
Enduring Contribution
Like many others, I first met Georgina in 1992 at an international workshop, hosted by ZSL in London, to develop criteria for the IUCN Red List that were objective and scientifically defensible. I recall that Georgina displayed a unique ability to 'cut through the crap' and synthesise the essential elements of an issue that could be understood by us lesser mortals.
In my capacity of Chair of the CITES Animals Committee, I had the further pleasure of collaborating with Georgina again in 1993 at a joint meeting of the Animals and Plants Committees in Brussels to develop criteria for listing species in Appendices I and II of the Convention. I recall in a private conversation with Georgina at the time, the scientist in her being incensed that bureaucrats representing Parties to CITES at the 1993 meeting had compromised the scientific integrity of the listing criteria in order to reach a Vale Georgina - you will be missed but never forgotten,
EJ's piece is a very fitting
EJ's piece is a very fitting tribute to an absolute giant in conservation to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for advancing our science and encouraging us to turn the tide. Georgina Mace was a one-off and is going to be very badly missed by the whole conservation community. She leaves a world changing legacy.
A pioneer and an inspiration
I first met Georgina in 2000, and feel extremely privileged to have worked with her while she was Chair of the IUCN Red List Committee. At first, I was overawed by how brilliantly she could tame a room full of eminent scientists, all of whom clearly respected her authority and wisdom - and she did it so quietly and always with good humour. On the occasions when I had a chance to talk to Georgina, usually whilst walking between hotels to meeting rooms, she was so easy going; kind, funny, encouraging and always positive. Georgina’s brilliance formed the foundations that allowed the IUCN Red List to grow into the credible and what it is today. We have so much to thank her for. I will miss having Georgina in the world.
Thank you Georgina
I was privileged to work with Georgina at Imperial back in Silwood. Despite her running the centre and me being one of many post-docs, she always had the time for a conversation. Georgina, thank you and rest in peace.
thank you, Georgina
Thank you, Georgina, for your leadership that has inspired me as much as so many others - and thank you E.J. for the written tribute here. My strongest feelings go to Georgina's family and her closest collaborators.
Cheers Georgina!
There are simply not enough plaudits one can heap on Georgina so I will not try, other than to come back once more to her humility and humanity. As a junior publisher 30+ years ago she treated me with respect and warmth I felt I hardly deserved and I have remained an admirer ever since. It is clear that she treated everyone with the same sense of fun and openness, irrespective of their status or influence - isn't that a wonderful trait? Let's remember her example and raise a glass or three to her memory.
Georgina
It has been 35 years when I first met Georgina, the newly appointed Conservation Co-ordinator for the National Federation of Zoos (now BIAZA). Georgina asked me to compile a studbook for the binturong, which I initially declined due to a perceived lack of ability and experience. Undeterred, Georgina asked me to visit her at ZSL. With her gentle persuasive nature I found myself the newly appointed binturong species co-ordinator. It was impossible to say no to Georgina. That day introduced me to conservation biology.
In the studbook, I expressed my indebtedness to Georgina, acknowledging '..it's production would not have been possible without the advice, assistance and guidance of Georgina Mace..". It was the first ever studbook produced for a viverrid species. This lead on to conservation work with small carnivores in captivity and the wild, as a member of the IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group and IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group under Ulysses Seal. Later, providing species data to the IUCN for Georgina and her team, which led to her landmark 1991 publication redefining the IUCN Red data list. The Mace/Lande criteria was applied when we compiled a Conservation Assessment Management Plan for Small Carnivores at an IUCN/CBSG (CPSG) workshop in 1993. Georgina encouraged me to attend the workshop where I acted as a group facilitator. All of this would not have been possible without the support of Georgina and her unwavering belief in you.
Georgina was a giant among the conservation and scientific community, I was proud to be a foot soldier among her conservation army. Our first meeting has never left me, when she told me that 'we can all make a difference'. Hopefully my small contribution played a part in her strong desire to conserve biodiversity and the planet. Sadly, I lost touch over the years when she left ZSL and I wished I told her what she meant to me. Georgina was a wonderful kind human being and we are all the better for knowing her.
Biblical Studies
I met Dame Georgina just once and but briefly when I had the privilege to respond to the University of Lausanne on behalf of the four of us who were receiving honorary degrees in 2018. I tried to say a few words about her massive contribution to the understanding of biodiversity and conservation and why the University was so obviously correct to honour her. The study of the biodiversity of the ecosystems of antiquity is of increasing interest to those like me who study the ancient world and I suspect that that is the case not least because of the way Dame Georgina shaped a whole discipline and its discourses. I think of my brief encounter with her every time I visit Chester Zoo with my grandchildren and draw to their attention the IUCN categories displayed throughout the Zoo.
Georgina Mace
I first met Georgina in 1984 or 1985 when, in a cramped office in ZSL, she initiated me into the intricacies and importance of genetic management, our subjects being the World Herd of Arabian Oryx and the individuals that we had released in Oman. Technically brilliant and ever patient, she was a wonderful tutor and mentor. Ever since, we would meet occasionally at events or public lectures, at which I always make a point of trying to talk to the speaker afterwards. She was unfailingly warm and charming. Other have written of her enormous legacy for practical conservation, and her stellar personality. Our generation of conservationists and following ones all owe her an enormous debt in pursuit of better global biodiversity conservation. Thank you, Georgina.
In Memory of Georgina Mace
I knew Georgina, but nowhere as well as many others did. And have talked to her a number of times - mainly about RLE (Red List of Ecosystems) genesis and how it could/does complement RLTS and the famous Cambridge workshop those years ago now that discussed RLE and RLTS!!! - I still remember that workshop for various reasons. But Georgina really helped us think through the fog of RLTS-RLE at the time, and get clarity and complementarity. Georgina was always a great supporter of the "Social issues" in conservation which is a great lesson for us all - Homo sapiens is a part of and not separate from Nature (we tend to think we can control nature!!!). That was/is an important lesson for us all - conservation is as much a social construct as it is one of conservation biology. Her humility and intellect is a lesson for us all - I just wish I had half the intellect she had. May we remember and treasure all the great work she has done.
In gratitude and admiration
Georgina Mace was an awe-inspiring figure to me. I met her when offered a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Institute of Zoology, and I could not believe that she had taken an interest in my research so as to talk to me about what she thought of some of my wildest ideas. I will never forget the way she told me that pursuing such research, even if it appeared to be fraught with complications, was worthwhile. That advice became central in my research. I have had several role models in my life and Georgina was certainly one of them. I am grateful to have met such an incredible and inspiring person.