John Lawton (biologist) facts for kids

Sir John Hartley Lawton, born on September 24, 1943, is a famous British ecologist. An ecologist is a scientist who studies how living things interact with each other and their environment. Sir John has held many important roles. He is a Vice President of the RSPB. He also leads the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Institution of Environmental Sciences. He is the Chairman of York Museums Trust and President of the York Ornithological Club.

Sir John has also worked with the WWF UK. He used to be the head of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). This group helps fund research about the environment. He also chaired the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. In 2011, he received the RSPB Medal for his great work.

Early Life and Love for Nature

Sir John Lawton loved nature from a young age. As a child, he was part of the Young Ornithologists' Club. This club helps young people learn about birds. Later, he helped run the RSPB Members' Group in York. When he was young, he even volunteered for "Operation Osprey." This project helped protect Ospreys at Loch Garten in Scotland.

Sir John's Career in Ecology

Sir John Lawton studied at the University of Durham. He earned a degree in Zoology and then a PhD in 1969. Zoology is the study of animals. After his studies, he taught ecology at the University of Oxford. In 1971, he moved to the Department of Biology, University of York. He became a full professor there in 1985. He also started and led the NERC Centre for Population Biology. This center studies how animal populations change.

Important Roles and Research

In 1999, Sir John became the Chief Executive of NERC. He kept this role until 2005. After that, he became the Chairman of the Royal Commission on Environment Pollution. He held this position for two terms.

Sir John's main research has been about birds and insects. He studies how their populations grow and change. He also looks at how different species live together. In recent years, he has focused on how global environmental changes affect wild plants and animals. He helped the RSPB create a plan to protect natural landscapes. He has also worked with many environmental groups. He was Chairman of the RSPB for five years and a trustee for WWF-UK.

In 2004, he received the Japan Prize for Science and Technology. He shared this award for his work in understanding and protecting biodiversity. Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth.

Views on Environmental Change

Sir John Lawton has spoken out about global warming. He believes that the increasing strength of extreme storms is likely linked to global warming. He has always stressed the importance of understanding and addressing environmental challenges.

In 2010, he published an important report called Making Space for Nature. This report reviewed England's protected natural areas. It suggested ways to make more space for wildlife.

In 2019, he appeared on a podcast called Trees A Crowd. He discussed his work and love for nature.

Awards and Recognition

Sir John Lawton has received many awards for his contributions to ecology:

• President's Gold Medal of the British Ecological Society (1987)
• CBE (1997)
• Japan Prize (2004)
• Knight Bachelor (2005)
• Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology (2006)
• Foreign Associate, US National Academy of Sciences (2008)
• Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2008)
• RSPB Medal (2011)
• CIEEM Medal (2017)