Foulden Maar: The Past & Future
Tuesday 25th of June 2019 at 7 pm
Hutton Lecture Theatre, Otago Museum
Koha entry
Join Associate Professor Daphne Lee for a public talk about Foulden Maar and the pristine fossil and climate record it contains.
This will be followed by a panel discussion, facilitated by Peter Hayden, on the future of Foulden Maar, featuring:
- Associate Professor Daphne Lee, University of Otago
- Councillor Aaron Hawkins, Dunedin City Council
- Andrea Bosshard, Middlemarch local and campaigner
- Sally Gepp, environmental lawyer
Associate Professor Daphne Lee
Daphne has been involved with the Foulden Maar research group in the Geology Department at the University of Otago since 2003. She was Principal Investigator for two successive Marsden Grants in which a team of researchers and students examined the geological setting, sedimentology, fossil content and climate record preserved in Foulden Maar.
Together, they have published over 30 peer-reviewed papers, given over 80 presentations at national and international conferences, and described 27 new species of plants and animals from the site. More recently, Daphne has become an outspoken advocate for the preservation of Foulden Maar and has been extensively consulted by media and local government about its importance.
Andrea Loader, Middlemarch resident and campaigner
Andrea is an award-winning filmmaker and director who grew up in Akaroa and Dunedin. She recently moved to Middlemarch with her partner Shane Loader. After hearing of plans to establish a mine in the area more than a year ago, the pair became concerned about the impact that trucks, lights, and noise would have on the community, as well as the loss of Foulden Maar’s pristine fossil and climate record.
Together, they have been working tirelessly on the campaign to protect Foulden Maar in its entirety. From publishing a report on The Destruction of Foulden Maar to speaking at Dunedin City Council’s annual plan hearing and making countless submissions. They are doing whatever it takes to stop the proposed diatomite mine from going ahead.
Councillor Aaron Hawkins
Aaron Hawkins is a Dunedin city councillor and Resource Management Act commissioner living in Port Chalmers. The key driver in his work is climate change action and building stronger communities so we can better support each other in a more volatile world. His interest in Foulden Maar comes from its potential to teach us more about our changing climate at a local level.
In May, he put forward a motion to Dunedin City Council that it should recognise the significance of Foulden Maar and support its protection and preservation as a scientific resource. This was passed successfully with 11 to 2 votes.
Sally Gepp, environmental lawyer
Sally is an environmental lawyer based in Nelson. She fronted the legal battle against the proposed Ruataniwha Dam in the Ruahine Forest Park.