Dr Keith Scott, joint founder of ARCS with Aila Keto, was actively involved in conservation since the late 1960s. Keith began his professional career as a microbiologist and biochemist serving on the academic staff of The University of Queensland until 1991 when he resigned to work full-time as Director of ARCS. With his life partner and president of ARCS, Aila Keto, he co-authored many significant reports that led to major conservation gains, including Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland — Their Conservation Significance; Conservation Values and Integrity of the Western Hardwoods Area — Brigalow Belt and New England Tableland Bioregions, Southern Queensland (with Simon Kennedy and Andrew Kwan).
Keith and Aila also prepared World Heritage nominations for the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Fraser Island and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Keith brought to ARCS a remarkable talent for financial and organisational management. His expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was invaluable to ARCS analyses, reports and operations.
Keith was named by Queensland Conservation Council as the inaugural ‘Champion of Conservation’.
Keith passed away suddenly on 29th July 2024 at the age of 87. He is survived by his partner Aila and son Matthew.