News published: 29 August 2025

BGCI was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Don Kirkwood earlier this week while on a field trip in the Jonkershoek Mountains, South Africa. Don was well known to us at BGCI, being the recipient of BGCI funding for the conservation of rare and threatened plants of the Cape Flora.

Paul Smith, BGCI’s Secretary General, said “I and the team at BGCI send our heartfelt condolences to Don’s family and colleagues. Plant conservation has lost an inspirational leader who, rather than just talk about saving threatened plants, actually did something about it – protecting plants in situ and backing them up in ex situ collections. Ultimately, he gave his life in this endeavour, and we are privileged to have known him.”