In memoriam: Geoffrey Howard

Geoffrey Howard was an ecologist and conservationist with experience in zoology, entomology, parasitology, invasive species, forestry, vegetation, wetland and water management. But he was much much more, as one cannot sum up someone's existence solely by their professional life. IUCN is extremely privileged and grateful to have been able to benefit for so long, not only from Geoffrey's 'services', but above all from his passion for the environment and our planet, his capacity to work without limits, his talents as a writer, his inexhaustible positive energy, his kindness and his sense of pedagogy.

There is no doubt that Geoffrey and Paul Mafabi, whom he mentored, were responsible for the excellence of the celebrated National Wetlands Programme of Uganda, which has been replicated and adapted elsewhere in Africa and beyond.

IUCN also benefited from his strong sense of duty, which led him to push for the most critical conservation projects, and to take charge of all the concerns of everyone in the offices for which he was responsible. Was he not the best possible 'curator' for the Wasaa Botanical Garden and Nurseries?

Hundreds of visitors to IUCN, whoever they were, after meeting and listening to Geoffrey, understood better how to strive for action, for excellence and for effectiveness, thanks to the scientific and technical knowledge that he made available to them. In this sense, Geoffrey was a truly magnificent ambassador for IUCN, for our Mission and our know-how.

To this rare cocktail of qualities, let us add modesty. Geoffrey – a scientist, a dear colleague and true pleasure to have known. We should make a conscious effort to honour his legacy by mentoring the next generation of students, ornithologists, entomologists, ecologists, natural historians, researchers in general, and all those trying to describe the planet we live on and leave it in a better place.

Geoffrey worked for IUCN (mainly in Eastern and Southern Africa, based in Nairobi) from 1991 to 2016. He was an ‘institution’ with extensive teaching experience and a research history that involved both plant and animal ecology, river basin management, invasive species management and wetland conservation - in Eastern and Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia. Geoffrey pioneered IUCN’s work with water and wetlands, as well as invasive species. His aim was to spread knowledge in developing countries of the urgency to prevent and manage the global threats of biological invasions and so conserve all types of biodiversity. He emphasised the need for IUCN to understand and champion the role of species and ecosystems as pivotal to human life and as precious components of our shared environment. And he recognised the importance of local people in conservation and helped create the space for community conservation.

Beyond this, he was simply a kind and generous man and a friend to many, who loved and cared for children, and dogs of all shapes and sizes.

All are encouraged to post personal tributes to Geoffrey below.