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Sad news: Colin Bibby
« on: Aug 9th, 2004, 7:46pm » |
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For your information.
Message from Dr Mike Ranks, Director of Director, BirdLife International.
A sad news for your information. Colin Bibby has passed away on 7th August. Some of you might know this gentleman, or has read his publication including the one on field techniques of bird monitoring.
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Dear Friends & Colleagues
Colin Joseph Bibby, born 20th November 1948
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Colin Bibby died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, 7th August. As many of you know, he was diagnosed earlier this year with terminal cancer, which he bore with remarkable courage and bravery. Until recently it was possible to visit him at home where, despite his physical deterioration, his mind and intellect remained as active as ever, continuing to challenge current theories and practices in ornithology and conservation in lively and fascinating debate.
Colin was a truly remarkable man. He had a life long interest in almost all things biological and applied scientific thinking and rigour to a vast array of situations, be they the study of a particular conservation problem, or a matter concerning management of an organisation.
After studying natural sciences at Cambridge University, Colin joined the RSPB in 1971, initially to monitor seabirds, but where he remained for 20 years, studying Dartford Warblers, reed beds and their birds, Merlins in Wales and various forest related issues. He ultimately became Head of Conservation Science at RSPB, directing a programme of survey and scientific research to underpin the organisation’s conservation strategy.
In 1999 Colin joined the International Council for Bird Presentation (BirdLife International’s predecessor) as Director of Research, where he set about applying his skills and experience at an international level, dynamically promoting research and survey, priority setting and target driven programmes of conservation action for species, sites and habitats. Colin enthusiastically fostered BirdLife’s endemic bird area approach and the wider use of birds as biodiversity indicators. He played a leading role in strengthening and globalising BirdLife’s Important Bird Area Programme, established a World Bird Database and helped to develop the Species Action Plans for a number of globally threatened species. He vigorously championed the free distribution of information, believing passionately that this was the key to successful advocacy. Colin strongly fostered the idea of the ‘Biodiversity Commons’ as the best way of sharing our knowledge of life on earth in order to ensure its survival. While many shied away from working with companies whose work, by it’s very nature resulted in an environmental impact, Colin strived to build close and robust working relationships with them, working constructively (and encouraging others to do so) to develop and implement biodiversity strategies and to set high environmental standards that the corporate sector would adhere to.
The BirdLife International Partnership, created in 1994, has much to thank Colin for. He played a major role in helping to shape the organisation’s first Strategy and set of Regional Programmes, always promoting science based advocacy and field action. As Director of Conservation and then Director of Science & Policy at the BirdLife Secretariat, Colin also encouraged other organisations to follow rigorous strategy development, notably the Species Survival Commission of IUCN and Plantlife. Colin left BirdLife International in 2001 and subsequently devoted his professional time to helping other conservation organisations and international companies to develop their strategic thinking for biodiversity conservation.
Colin published over 50 refereed papers, three books on survey and census techniques for birds and other wildlife and numerous popular articles. He was an outstanding speaker, whether talking to a scientific audience, an amateur bird club, or the senior management of a multi-national company.
I consider myself fortunate and very privileged to have worked alongside Colin for over ten years. I will remember him for his phenomenal intellect, (at times intimidating, but always stimulating and amazing to experience), his analytical approach to solving any problem and his great story telling, especially over a pint of beer on a summer evening, where he exhibited a wonderful sense of humour. Colin leaves a great legacy for conservation and ornithology. BirdLife, along with others to whom he gave so much, will be establishing an appropriate memorial to Colin in the near future. Colin leaves behind his wife, Ruth, who is a medical doctor, and their three sons, who live at:
Clare Farm
Caldecote
Cambridgeshire
CB3 7NU
I know that you will want to join me in sending condolences to Colin’s family. Colin has born his illness with great courage and dignity over the last month of his life. His death is an enormous loss to family, friends and biodiversity conservation.
Mike
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