Dr. Karen Ann Colgan has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her significant contributions to wildlife conservation and education.
In 2002, Dr. Colgan co-founded the Ark in the Park conservation project, aiming to reintroduce native bird species into a 2,500-hectare area of the Waitākere Ranges. Her leadership was instrumental in the successful reintroduction of species such as the North Island robin in 2005 and subsequent efforts to bolster their populations.
Beyond species reintroduction, Dr. Colgan has been deeply involved in community education and volunteer coordination. She has led educational sessions at the Arataki Visitor Centre and has been acknowledged for her efforts in data collection and mapping to support conservation activities.
Dr. Colgan's dedication has previously been recognized with the Old Blue Award in 2007, honouring her outstanding contributions to conservation through the Ark in the Park project.
Her recent appointment to the New Zealand Order of Merit further underscores her unwavering commitment to preserving New Zealand's natural heritage.