Robert Lloyd Praeger Fund AppealAuthor(s): A. MacFadyenSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 22, No. 7 (Jul., 1987), p. 265Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25539171 .

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THE IRISH NATURALISTS5 JOURNAL Vol.22 JULY 1987 No. 7

ROBERT LLOYD PRAEGER FUND APPEAL As will be familiar to all readers of the Irish Nationalists' Journal, Robert Lloyd

Praeger was one of Ireland's most distinguished, productive and versatile Naturalists. Those who read the back cover page will also remember that the Royal Irish Academy's Committee, which administers the Robert Lloyd Praeger Fund for Field Natural History, awards grants each year "for field work relevant to the Natural History of Ireland". This Fund was originated to commemorate Praeger's 80th birthday and, subsequently, Praeger left his entire inheritance to the Academy for the purpose of encouraging field work in Ireland. The funds at the Committee's disposal have since been supplemented by additions from the Ussher Fund and the Mangan bequest.

Unfortunately, during periods of inflation the Fund has not maintained its value relative to the costs of living and travel; at the same time demands on the money available are such that well justified applications have to be refused and the size of grants greatly curtailed. Furthermore, we are now in a period when environmental and conservation issues become more and more pressing whilst lack of knowledge about Ireland's fauna, flora and environment is a major impediment to the accurate assessment of the consequences of

changes in the environment, whether natural or man-made. Professional members of

scientific and government organisations are few and usually preoccupied with routine and administrative duties and the truth is that keen and knowledgeable naturalists are frequently the most competent, or even the only people available to provide vital information or carry out investigations for monitoring change and for baseline studies.

The Praeger Committee has decided to draw up a list of priority areas, in which field work is necessary. These areas will fall into three main headings:

(i) sites which require investigation (ii) species which are under threat or of particular interest

(iii) inventories which are needed.

The Committee is most anxious to receive comments and suggestions from naturalists in suitable fields as to what sites, species and inventories should be given priority status and

? once the list of priorities has been drawn up ? the Praeger Committee will give special

consideration to grant applications in those areas. The immeiate need, however, is for money. The Praeger Committee, with the

encouragement of the President, Treasurer and Officers of the Royal Irish Academy is therefore launching an appeal for funds in order that:

1. In the interests of a major expansion of natural history studies, especially in the fields of Botany, Geology and Zoology, more applications can be more

adequately funded, and

2. The fund can become a means for linking the expertise and dedication of

naturalists, especially those at an early stage in their careers, to the needs of the

community at large and of national and local government bodies for investigations into the consequences of environmental change, pollution and other matters relevant to conservation.

You as an individual are asked to send a donation to the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to "The Royal Irish Academy", with a covering note stating that it is a contribution towards the Praeger Fund. All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged. Please also think of ways in which

you can persuade public bodies, charities, commercial firms and other organisations with interests in the countryside, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and so on, to contribute.

The Committee believes that, in this way, we can fittingly commemorate Robert Lloyd Praeger's great contributions to natural history and implement his wishes.

Chairman, Praeger Committee, R.I.A., PROFESSOR A. MACFADYEN, M.R.LA. 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2

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