My wife and I visited Tasmania 20 years ago specifically to see some of the unique endemic lichens that we read about. We had a great trip and have told others to visit Tasmania. We bought books about Tasmanian plants and rented a car to drive around the entire Island. Botanical tourism isn't widely discussed, yet I know several friends who have visited Tasmania just to see these unique plants. Botanical tourists spend money and are good tourists. I am writing to express my concern over the proposed restructuring of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and its impact on the Tasmanian Herbarium.

The proposed elimination of the Head of Herbarium position, reduction of botanical staff, and loss of specialist positions in lichenology and bryology would severely weaken the Herbarium’s scientific and curatorial capacity. Of particular concern is the loss of Tasmania’s only lichenologist—one of only two remaining in Australia—whose outstanding contributions were recently recognised through the Premier’s Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year award. These losses would leave Tasmania without employed specialists for non-vascular plants and would compromise essential collection management, regulatory compliance, specimen loans, safety, and security.

Tasmania has an internationally significant lichen biota, and research conducted at the Herbarium has contributed greatly to taxonomy, conservation, biological diversity knowledge, and the Museum’s scientific output. Eliminating its specialist expertise would affect not only Tasmania but also researchers and institutions worldwide that depend on its collections, identifications, loans, and scientific collaborations.

Natural history collections require qualified leadership and specialist knowledge. Once this expertise is lost, rebuilding it is extremely difficult and costly.

I urge the Tasmanian Government to reconsider these changes, retain the Herbarium’s specialist positions and leadership, and consult meaningfully with its scientists and the wider scientific community before proceeding.

Sincerely,

Roger Rosentreter PhD

Boise, ID 83706