David Norton

Emeritus Professor David Norton retired from the University of Canterbury at the start of 2022 and has over 40 years’ experience in ecology and conservation across public and private land in Aotearoa.

Over his career, David’s research, teaching and consultancy work has spanned several fields of ecology and conservation biology including the ecology of native forests, conservation and management of threatened plants, mistletoe biology, ecology of remnant habitats, restoration ecology, threat classification and significance assessment.

Most recently he has researched the distribution and management of native biodiversity within farming systems, especially sheep and beef farms, working closely with farmers, the farming community and sector groups to promote biodiversity conservation and find ways to build this into farm management.

Together with postgraduate students and colleagues, he has authored over 150 scientific publications, including co-authoring a book on biodiversity conservation in farming landscapes with an Australian colleague, as well as producing numerous reports.

Since retiring from the University of Canterbury, David has continued to work actively with the farming sector through his own business Biodiversity Solutions Ltd. In this work he aims to help farmers incorporate native biodiversity into farm management in a way that results in win-win outcomes for farming and native biodiversity, especially in the face of rapidly changing climates. This involves working with individual farmers, with catchment groups and with industry bodies, with projects located right across Aotearoa including in Tairāwhiti. David also works as a strategic science advisor to Pure Advantage promoting native reforestation as a key tool for building resilience to the effects of climate change in Aotearoa.

David is talking at the Nature Based Solutions Masterclass and the Nature Walk with Sam the Trapman and David Norton at the Wao Summit 2024.