Robert Penson Garden History Lecture 2026
- Date 23 June 2026 - 5.00 p.m. - 23 June 2026 - 6.00 p.m.
- Location Garden Quad Auditorium
Kevin Martin is Head of Tree Collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and an environmental scientist with a focus on climate modelling, species distribution models (SDMs), and the resilience of urban and natural tree populations under changing environmental conditions. His work integrates climate data analysis, conservation planning, and applied urban ecology, allowing him to help translate complex research into practical strategies for sustainable urban forestry and biodiversity management.
At Kew, Kevin Martin leads the strategic direction and curation of one of the world’s most significant living tree collections. His role combines applied science with long-term planning to ensure the collection’s resilience to climate change, supporting conservation, research, and public engagement. He oversees projects that apply climate and species distribution modelling to assess the future suitability of tree species, providing insights for planting decisions, conservation prioritisation, and adaptation strategies both in the UK and internationally.
Kevin holds an MSc by Research in Environmental Science from Lancaster University, where he focused on advanced climate modelling and SDM frameworks to evaluate the future viability of tree species under multiple climate scenarios. His expertise brings together quantitative environmental modelling with practical knowledge of conservation priorities, urban tree selection, and ecosystem service delivery.
His is particularly interested in how science-based modelling and living collections can inform urban planning, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation, ensuring the right tree is planted in the right place for the right future. He is a fellow of the Linnean Society and a postgraduate researcher at Lancaster University.