Dear Premier, Ministers, and Members of Parliament,

On behalf of the Botanical Department of the University of Liège (Belgium), I write to express our serious concern about the proposed restructuring of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and its impact on the Tasmanian Herbarium.

The proposed abolition 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.

Tasmania has an internationally significant lichen biota, and research conducted at the Herbarium has contributed greatly to taxonomy, biodiversity knowledge, conservation, 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.

We are also concerned about the proposed abolition of the Curator of Bryology and Herbarium Administration Officer positions. 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.

Natural history collections require qualified leadership and specialist knowledge. Once this expertise is lost, it is extremely difficult and costly to rebuild. All members of the University of Liège involved in botanical studies and research therefore respectfully urges 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.

We stand in solidarity with the staff of the Tasmanian Herbarium and ask the Government to protect this internationally important scientific institution.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Emmanuël SERUSIAUX, University of Liège, Belgium