Althofer, Peter McDowell   (1918 - 1991)

Peter McDowell Althofer was born and raised a short distance from the Burrendong Arboretum. Trees, soil and the harmony of nature were part of his childhood and laid the foundation for his lifelong study and interest in the conservation of Australia's native flora.

Committed to the practical completion of his brother George's vision of an arboretum to conserve threatened and endangered native flora, Peter set about the hard physical task of building stone walled garden beds, constructing roads, laying kilometres of water pipe and planting thousands of tree species.

Peter had the idea of covering this once dry, bare gully with a canopy. He worked tirelessly to create a micro-environment for the collection of ferns and temperate climate plants.

He travelled widely throughout Australia and is remembered as a humble, dedicated man whose legacy will inspire future generations to jealously guard their natural heritage.

Source: text supplied for a plaque in his honour at Burrendong Arboretum
Portrait Photo: from plaque

Collecting localities for 'Althofer, P.M.' from AVH (2021)

Data from 67 specimens