Downing, Alison J.   (fl. 1970s - 2020s)

Alison Downing grew up amongst nurserymen and orchardists on her mother's side of the family and bushwalkers and environmentalists on her father's side. She trained in horticulture and was the first woman to be employed by the Forestry Commission of New South Wales as a nursery(wo)man.

She joined the staff of the School of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University in 1970 specifically to take responsibility for plant production and plant collecting for both research and teaching.

Alison retired in 2003 but continues her research activities as an Honorary Associate and Curator of Cryptogamic Collections at Macquarie University. At the time of her retirement the Macquarie University Herbarium, was renamed 'The Downing Herbarium' (MQU) in her honour. This was in recognition of services to the University and in particular, her role in the establishment of the herbarium in 1972.

From 2013 to 2016 Alison served as a Councillor of the International Association of Bryologists and worked hard in this role to support the bryological community in Australia and worldwide.

A more detailed biography is available at: https://bryology.org/alison-downing/

Source: Extracted from: Bryological Times 155 - Special Edition: Women in Bryology (2022)
Portrait Photo: Photo supplied by Downing to Chris Cargill (ANBG)

Collecting localities for 'Downing, A.J.' from AVH (2023)

Data from 1757 specimens