PlantLab Interview: Fiona Douglas

This interview is with Fiona Douglas, scientist, teacher, community leader, coach, artist and passionate activist for arts and the environment. Her initial training was in science, with qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in agriculture and education. She has worked as an agronomist, lectured in Biology, Botany and Environmental Science and worked for the Department of Conservation in Australia as an education officer.

Alongside her scientific, teaching and coaching activities, Fiona also has a strong background in arts. Her artistic practice includes creating documentaries on environmentally related subjects such as the recovery of the Pateke (NZ Brown Teal) and painting, sculpting and whakairo (carving).  

A passion for sustainability and holistic environmental practices has led Fiona to train in dowsing and earth energies, Maori plant use and vernacular house design. She has run tours through Australian National parks and is a protector and observer (along with Mark, her husband) of 6.5 hectares of native bushland regrowth near Pukenui forest, Whangarei.

Fiona’s current favourite theories stem from research conducted by Victor Schauberger in the 1930s into the nature of nature. Living water, geometric shapes, slowing things down, and water and electricity as essences inform her work.