In memory of Jacqui Geux (@jacqui-nz)
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing this week of Jacqui Geux, @jacqui-nz. Jacqui once described herself as "only a citizen scientist", to which Canadian wasp taxonomist José Fernández-Triana (@josefernandez-triana) replied "You are as important as any researcher!" Looking back through the breadth and depth of Jacqui's extraordinary contributions to natural history of New Zealand-Aotearoa, I think Jacqui should instead be regarded as one of New Zealand's top naturalists.
A bluebottle washed up at Muriwai Beach. @jacqui-nz shared @tangatawhenua's interest in the Blue Fleet. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/14299491 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
Jacqui has long been a legend on iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao. With consistent warmth and good humour and humility, and with an exceptional eye for nature, she recorded 21,212 observations of 2,295 species, in just 12 years, and made 1,598 species identifications for other people. That's an extraordinary contribution to our knowledge of NZ nature, and Jacqui is one of the top 10 observers on iNaturalist NZ.
A marvellous photo of discovering a cave weta in a disused manganese mine in the Waitakere Ranges. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/4551956 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
Jacqui's observations are remarkable for their consistent high quality and for the exceptional breadth of Jacqui's curiousity. Jacqui's keen eye has focused on everything from from squid eggs laid on sea weed (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/33638416) to untangling the different species of Tmesipteris fork fern (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/33881529, https://inaturalist.nz/observations/35507533), to a fungus forming a mutualism with scale insects on lancewood (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/8365139), to a transparent amphipod living inside a salp (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/20341167), to fungi being eaten by North Island robins (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/9380399), to undescribed leaf galling mites that feed on Clematis paniculata (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/27799869), to orchids flowering out of season (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/4236015), to "Heaps of these blobs on the mudflats", which turned out to be eggs of the White Bubble Shell Papawera zelandiae (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/8597384), to a caterpillar hitching a ride on Jacqui's backpack (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/17690648), to a mystery illness afflicting kanono, which included Jacqui sending specimens to @cooperj and MPI (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/2696362), to collecting native and exotic water ferns for the Auckland Museum (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/21445952, https://inaturalist.nz/observations/21445824), to spotting rare vagrant butterflies (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/44844748), to the mystery of what tūī are foraging for on the ground (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/15608606). All that (and much, much more) from "only a citizen scientist"!?
A remarkably close photo of a young stoat. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/48594642 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
Jacqui also took delight in engaging with NZ and the world's taxonomists to dive into intricacies of the taxonomy of everything from mosses (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/37386576), to ferns (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/37644368), to banana passionfruits (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/37800294), to crabs (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/3088721), to bluebottles (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/4504569) to Phyllocladus (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/10106381, probably an undescribed species), to name just a few taxa she took interest in. Her curiousity about species, and their natural history, was seemingly unbounded. "The nice thing about the iNaturalist community is that 3 years on from an observation there is still so much to learn. By the way, I wonder if sea turtles found in NZ are checked for stowaway Planes crabs :-)" (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/3088721)
The NZ native moss Achrophyllum quadrifarium. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/21102789 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
Among Jacqui's many observations have been some important and remarkable discoveries. For example, she found one of only four iNat obs of the crane fly, Gynoplistia subfasciata, which is still the only iNat observation from northern NZ (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/34177862). Jacqui has also made the only NZ wild observations on iNaturalist of the hairy Speedwell Veronica calycina, and she deposited specimens at the Auckland Museum Herbarium (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/20149818)
In 2020, Jacqui rescued a moth from a bird bath, which moth expert Robert Hoare (@dr_robert) tentatively identifies as Hierodoris sesioides (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/37839980). "If that is correct, this is a truly momentous find, since sesioides is only known from the unique holotype collected in Esk Forest, Hawkes Bay in 1964!" Jacqui replied, "Thanks for the ID and info, Robert. I'm thrilled to have found such a rare NZ moth (subject to confirmation)! The power of Citizen Science :-) Narrowing down your lengthy search to this location will hopefully help you find and confirm the moth species in the near future. Good luck!"
In 2017 Jacqui photographed a fungus (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/7072259) that turned out to be the first confirmed record of the fungus Gloeocantharellus dingleyae since it was first collected in 1972. Her observation is still the only observation on iNaturalist.
Jacqui was both a marvellous naturalist and a talented photographer, which is a potent combination. Two of her observations were global iNaturalist Observation of the Day. The first one was for her report of a Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, an endangered species, which was the first NZ obs on iNaturalist and is still one of only 20 NZ iNat observations of this species. Her second was for a fun observation of a giant puffball. She was also excited that this kelp photo was chosen for use in a presentation by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Jacqui generously licensed all her iNat NZ photos as CC-BY, so everyone is free to use them so long as they acknowledge Jacqui.
A transparent Phronima isopod living in a hollowed out transparent salp, both washed up together on Piha Beach. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/20341167 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
This is all a marvellous legacy to leave behind. Jacqui was contributing knowledge about NZ nature right to the end, upset that she couldn't go far anymore and that her camera was getting too heavy to lift. Her last photo on iNat NZ was a wild garden pansy in flower (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/136406877), which she uploaded on 25 September.
We're all so sorry to hear that Jacqui had to leave us so soon. Our warmest hugs and sincerest sympathies go out to her family. Jacqui will be missed but never forgotten.
Take a moment to remember Jacqui and celebrate her passion for NZ nature by exploring her many observations. If you have iNat memories of Jacqui you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments.
New Zealand's sacred kingfisher, the Kōtare, in a cemetery in Auckland. Jacqui's sense of humour shone through many of her observations. This photo was paired with photos of one of the kingfisher's regurgitated food pellets. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/28103314 CC-BY Jacqui Geux
All of Jacqui's amazing iNat NZ observations
Jacqui's favourite iNat observations
All the many species Jacqui observed, on the tree of life
Jacqui's most popular iNat observations
Comments
I'm very sad to hear this.
I enjoyed identifying Jacqui's observations, sometimes she even sent me specimens. I hoped to meet her one day.
A great lost to our community.
Very sad news indeed, she was one of the most prolific contributors, and clearly had a wonderful passion for nature.
Will really miss seeing her name on observations.
To say the least, this was a shock to see on my homepage
I've had nothing but positive experiences with Jacqui on and off iNaturalist.
She was always such a help with getting observations to research grade with the correct species ID when other users were stubborn to change their own. Always made for good collaborative discussions and of course shared some amazing observations.
Her presence on this community will be missed, but the impact she has made will stand forever.
I am greatly saddened by this. I thoroughly enjoyed following Jacqui's observations and admired her ability to see and photograph things out of the ordinary. Her communications were always a delight. She will, I'm sure, have inspired many budding iNaturalists.
😥sad to learn this. Jacqui was great. It was a pleasure to interact with her on iNaturalist. She will be missed.
(@jon_sullivan thank you for posting this.)
So sorry to lose such a gentle, caring, inspiring soul. Jacqui will be sadly missed.
Jacqui introduced me to iNat and it was with her encouragement and support that I posted my first observation in 2016 and have maintained an on-going involvement since.
A legend in her lifetime on iNatNZ, with her contributions to the Ark in the Park Project (1,651 observations, 365 species) one of many highlights.
A life too short, but Jacqui leaves a wonderful legacy and enduring memories for many, many people.
Thank you Jon for posting this about Jacqui. She was a very special person and I’m so grateful our paths crossed. She loved iNaturalist and the community here. I took her for what turned into her last iNaturalist trip around the hospice last week and even right till the end she made sure to get all the weeds in the garden and any birds nearby
Thank you Jacqui for giving us so much . Sincerest Condolences to family 🌷
Very sad to hear about Jacqui's passing. Condolences to family and friends. I'm humbled (and gladdened) to have been even a small part of the legacy that she has left, which will, no doubt, be an inspiration for many future naturalists.
Very sad to learn of Jacqui's passing. Sadly never met her but she was always lovely to interact with on iNaturalist. May she rest in peace in the Eternal Kingdom of Light and Love where pain and suffering are no more.
To see your post of Facebook yesterday about Jacqui was an awful shock. For me it was Jacqui's wonderful photography that drew me to her work. She had an amazing eye. I can't remember how many "wonderful photo" comments I left on her obs! A lot! She was always positive and friendly in her exchanges - a truly lovely woman.
The amount of work she did in the Waitaks was incredible and she added so much knowledge about Auckland region nature. Auckland's loss was the BoP's gain when she moved a few years ago.
Even though I followed her obs, seeing it curated here, I had no idea just how extensive it was. it is outstanding. I'm not sure I could pick a favourite observation, but this one would be up there, highlighting the sense of humour that your obituary rightly noted https://inaturalist.nz/observations/36456551
She will be missed sorely and I hope her family knows how much she was valued by this online community.
Jo
Jacqui made the west coast feel very connected. She often tagged me in observations of fascinating pelagic creatures that she'd find washed up on Auckland west coast beaches, most of which I'd never even heard of. With new knowledge and eyes, I'd often find the same wee beasties washed up on Taranaki beaches a week or so later. She was a magic person and leaves behind an incredible legacy. RIP e hoa.
An inspiring photographer and lover of nature. Her observations will keep her in our memory. Sincere condolences to her family and those who personally knew her.
Hi Jon,
Thank you so much for that moving journal entry. My wife and I and the family have been deeply sadden by the passing of Jacqui. I know how hard she was clinging to life because of her desire to continue sharing her wealth of knowledge with the iNaturalist community, and because she knew her work was far from done.
Unfortunately because of the great distance between us, we spent far too little time together and as you pointed out Jacqui was so humble that she never really thought her contributions were anything "special" ... how wrong she was! When I last saw her in N.Z five months ago, she shared with me some of her observations and was very proud of the North Island robin eating fungi (https://inaturalist.nz/observations/9380399) which John Sumich from Matuku Link wrote an article about together with her. In one of the many comments so far, Jo mentions "The amount of work she did in the Waitaks was incredible and she added so much knowledge about Auckland region nature. Auckland's loss was the BoP's gain when she moved a few years ago.". I know that it was deeply troubling time for her moving from Auckland and leaving behind her beloved research in the Waitākere Ranges, although probably the decision to close large expanses of forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges in 2018 made this decision a little easier. I remember one year visiting the Arataki Visitor Centre with my wife and thought I would do some name dropping ;-) ... so I mentioned I was the brother of Jacqui, and suddenly we were surrounded by all the staff wanting to meet her brother ... obviously she was the Kim Kardashian of the forest ... "only a citizen scientist" indeed! Her work at Matuku Link was also highly valued (https://matukulink.org.nz/a-picture-is-worth/) and before she passed away they planted a tree in her name to honour her (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M0-UuQxXlA)
She also talked to me about how important it was that her work remained in the public domain, so I am happy that her iNaturalist observations will remain a testament to her fantastic work and be an inspiration for others. Her legacy also includes amazing generosity to others like the time she gifted her car to a family that she had read about in an article on the N.Z Herald, even though she was herself at the time struggling.
Her humor, laughter, her generosity and passion for the special unique flora and fauna of N.Z will be sadly missed by not only by our family, but also in the large number of volunteer projects she was involved like iNaturalist, Ark in the Park, Matuku Link, and many many more.
Haere Ra "forest princess"
Thank you Jon for highlighting her role in the protection of N.Z's beautiful natural world.
Donald & Claudia
Wow, this is shocking news. Such a loss, her observations, ID's, and comments were awesome and I appreciated her skills as a photographer too. She will be sorely missed ...=(
I only interacted with Jacqui a handful of times but she was always kind, humorous, knowledgable, and supportive. A big loss for the iNatNZ community and the iNat community worldwide.
Kia ora
I didn't know she was sick and this comes as a very sad surprise to me.
I met Jacqui for the first time a few years ago, when I was living in Auckland's west coast. She was always very supportive of the conservation work I was carrying in the area (which she deeply loved) and was always eager to share her knowledge with me and the wider community. Her passion for nature and conservation was contagious and she was always ready to lend a helping hand whether it was petrel work, shorebird management, weeding etc..
I'm stating the obvious here, but her photography was amazing and testament to that is that many of her images are featured in signs across Auckland's nature reserves and beyond.
Thanks for your beautiful work and rest in peace Jacqui. I consider myself very fortunate that I got to meet you. I will always remember your love and passion for Piha and the entire Waitakere Ranges area.
Jordi J Tablada
:(
Very sad to see that Jacqui has gone. We've had an ongoing (at least 4 years) discussion of observations about Tui feeding on the ground, and what they were after (ants, fruit, grit ?) and never came to a definitive answer. So every time I see a Tui feeding on the ground I think about Jacqui :-)
Wow, I did not know about this very unfortunate news, but I send my deepest condolences and sympathy to her family and friends. A life well lived and that made an impact, my greatest respect and appreciation and admiration to her! And I will repeat what was already mentioned by Jon Sullivan in the post: She is/was as important as any researcher, and I would argue that in some aspects she did way more than many "professional" researchers. We need more Jacqui in this world!
Jose Fernandez-Triana, Canadian National Collection of insects, Ottawa, Canada
Thanks @josefernandez-triana (and everyone).
Yes, we definitely need more Jacqui in this world! She inspired a lot of people while she was with us, and I hope her legacy of observations will continue to inspire naturalists into the future.
This is a very sad news. I enjoyed interacting with her on many of her observations since I started iNat in 2019, and I regret that I did not get to meet her in person while being active in the same area of Auckland.
Her observations and contributions on iNat will keep helping us permanently.
Rest in peace, Jacqui
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