My brother-in-law Justin Smith, who has died suddenly aged 46, was Bristol city council's woodland and wildlife officer, and an expert mycologist, botanist, lichenologist and bryophyte specialist, with further expertise in ferns and hoverflies. He carried out Site of Special Scientific Interest surveys for Natural England and research for Kew, and was widely known for his training programmes, guided walks, illustrated talks and fungi forays.
He was born and raised in Worcester, the only son of Eva originally from East Germany and Melvyn, a former coach-builder, who met her while doing national service. Encouraged by Eva, Justin began a lifelong love for woodlands as a child. By 14 he was studying fungi and rocks, which led to a geology degree at Exeter University.
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