Naturalist, Educator, Fungi expert
Dr Tony Leech is a local legend for fungi recording and inspiring young people to take an interest in the natural world. He loves to share his knowledge with anyone who will listen and has played a big part in the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society as chairman as well as being a trustee for Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Dr Leech moved to Norfolk in 1978 to teach at Gresham’s School in Holt. He is now the County fungus recorder for Norfolk. This work involves fungus hunting and identification across the county and recording his findings for the county or regional mycota. This data adds to the knowledge of local and national distribution of fungi, compares past finds with those of the present day and contributes to knowledge of the biodiversity of an area or a specific site.
Working particularly with Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society and Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Tony regularly leads fungus forays, educating young people in the huge diversity of fungi and in wildlife in general. According to Nick Acheson, NWT wildlife ambassador, “Tony Leech is a rare thing indeed: an enthusiast, an expert and a brilliant communicator, all in one. While his general knowledge of natural history is huge and forever growing, he has devoted himself to the study of fungi. Through this role he has nurtured and encouraged literally thousands of mycologists, from little children on his fungus forays to eminent experts.”
In 2020, Dr Tony Leech was awarded the Sydney Long Memorial Medal, Norfolk’s most prestigious award for naturalists in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of conservation.
Created by The Mannington Estate (visit website)
Made from newspaper, wool and old carpet tiles
Located at St Mary’s Church, Itteringham, Norwich, NR11 7AX (visit website)
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