Dubbed "the father of rainforest botany" by colleagues, Alex Floyd OAM has been remembered for his huge contribution to New South Wales throughout a tireless and significant career.
Mr Floyd, 96, died on December 12, and a memorial service for the well-known botanist on the state's Mid North Coast today is expected to draw leading lights in the field.
He is best known for his role in creating the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour, and his influential career with the Department of Forestry in Papua New Guinea, the Forestry Commission of NSW, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
"He became probably the pre-eminent expert in NSW on the distribution and identification of rainforest trees," said his son Robert Floyd.
"He had the opportunity to survey almost every significant patch of rainforest in the entire state.
"He has lists of the species and this was fundamental for making recommendations for the conservation of unique rainforest patches."
Two genera and several species were named in Mr Floyd's honour, including the Crystal Creek Walnut or Endiandra floydii.
In 2008 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to botany.
"He was a very significant person who was admired, well-loved and respected, and who mentored many of us in our science," said botanist Robert Kooyman, a research fellow at Macquarie University.
Dr Kooyman said Mr Floyd was "one of the great field botanists of the day".
"There were still many species in the rainforests that were undescribed and uncollected [during Mr Floyd's time]," he said.
Dr Kooyman said Mr Floyd, with his expert knowledge, developed a series of booklets and publications including the NSW Rainforest Trees and Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-Eastern Australia.
"That aspect of understanding and knowledge of the rainforests in New South Wales, that's a huge contribution," Dr Kooyman said.
Canoe trip leads to botanic garden
Mr Floyd's role in co-founding the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden has been remembered by many, including the garden's volunteer group.
Graham Tupper, president of the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, said Mr Floyd played an "instrumental role in founding the green heart of Coffs Harbour".
In 1972, Mr Floyd and members of a local conservation organisation took a canoe trip along Coffs Creek.
"They hopped off at a bend in the creek, had a walk around and thought, 'This would make a great place for a botanic garden,'" Mr Tupper said.
Over the next three years, the group gathered support from residents and businesses to push for the conservation of the site near the heart of the regional town.
"By 1975 the land had been set aside for the purposes of a botanic garden but then it took quite a lot longer to get the plans in place," Mr Tupper said.
"Alex was instrumental in the design of the garden and the planting program until it was opened in 1988," Mr Tupper said.
"It's just a wonderful story of how a group of friends on a canoe trip can have such a long-lasting effect."
A herbarium that Mr Floyd helped develop throughout his career is located in the gardens in Coffs Harbour with a collection of more than 28,000 plant specimens.
"It's such a wonderful thing to have right at the heart of the city," Mr Tupper said.
Family continues to be inspired
Robert Floyd, who is executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization based in Austria, said his father inspired him to pursue a career in science.
“Dad took a great interest in my career, he vicariously lived it with me," Robert Floyd said.
Before his career as a rainforest botanist, Alex Floyd had volunteered to join the Navy near the end of World War II.
While he trained at North Head in Sydney, Robert Floyd said his father would often walk through the Royal National Park where his interest in forests was confirmed.
"What I've heard and been deeply moved by since his passing is the deep sense of appreciation for his mentoring of professional and para-professional people working in rainforest botany and conservation biology," Robert Floyd said.
"I'm so proud of my father that he invested in all people no matter what rank or education standing they had."
Alex Floyd and his late wife Cynthia are survived by their daughter Malalia and sons Peter, Robert, and Donald.
