Philip Simpson

Project Crimson South Island Coordinator Botainst

Botanist Philip Simpson was one of Project Crimson's founding trustees.

In April 1999, he was confirmed as the project's first South Island Advisor.  Commenting on his appointment to this position, Philip said it was very rewarding to see Project Crimson extend its mandate to cover the South Island.

Throughout his involvement, Philip has brought considerable practical and academic knowledge to the Trust. Before becoming Project Crimson's South Island advisor, Philip had worked for the Department of Conservation for 20 years.

He cites his particular fields of interest as being "people and plants". In particular, he specialises in ecological restoration - working with communities to restore the landscape. In late 2000 Philip published a book about cabbage trees 'Dancing Leaves: the story of New Zealand's cabbage tree, ti kouka'. (Canterbury University Press) which won the Environment section of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards in 2001.

Following on from the success of 'Dancing Leaves', the Trust commissioned Philip to research and write the definitive book on pohutukawa and rata, published by Te Papa press in 2005. Pohutukawa & Rata, New Zealand's Iron-Hearted Trees went on to win the Montana Book Awards Medal for Non-Fiction in 2006.

Philip's pastimes centre mostly on plants, food and people. He makes his own wine, and currently is enjoying both cabernet sauvignon and quince vintages. Many foods take Philip's interest, with edible fungi holding a particular fascination.

Previously living n Lincoln, Canterbury for a numbers of years, Philip and his partner Wendy moved into their newly build house in 2003 in Takaka, north west Nelson.