The following is the text of a letter presented to Marijcke Jongbloed in recognition of her years of contributions to the Emirates Natural History Group. The presentation took place at the Al Ain chapter's Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 26 November 2002.

26 November 2002

The Committee and membership of the Al Ain chapter is pleased to present Marijcke with a lifetime membership in the Emirates Natural History Group in recognition of her contributions in research, organization and publishing.

Marijcke began her time in the UAE as a doctor in Al Ain. At some point in time during her tenure as a doctor, her passion for the plants and animals of the UAE and Oman emerged. It began as a small garden of native plants around her residence in the Tawam compound. It has grown over the years to a wealth of information on the native plants of the region as well as a library of books for the old and young, the amateur and the academic.

For some, Marijcke is best known for her work with plants. She has already published a checklist of plants in the UAE and will soon publish an illustrated comprehensive list of flora. For others, she is best known for her work with the Arabian leopards. The accounts of her early days of trapping and breeding rare cats is required reading. For Arabic-speaking and English-speaking children, her books introduce many of the lesser-known mammals while countless off-roaders discover fantastic places using her guidebook.

In brief, Marijcke's contributions as researcher, publisher and wildlife protector are, in our opinion, unmatched.

On behalf of generations who will benefit from your unselfish work, thank you, Marijcke.

Brien Holmes
Chairman