Brian van Wilgen

Prof. van Wilgen holds a degree in forestry and has over 50 years of experience as an applied ecologist in Africa. His research has focussed on two broad fields: (1) the ecology and management of ecosystems using fire, and (2) the ecology and management of invasive alien plants.

He has a keen interest in conservation, and much of his work has been aimed at incorporating research results into the design and implementation of environmental policy and management. Despite being trained to cultivate trees, his career has largely focussed on which trees perhaps shouldn't be there in the first place.