Stephen Lings, who sadly died in March this year aged 63. was Hertfordshire’s recorder for Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) and also for millipedes and centipedes. But his accomplishments as a natural historian, a wildlife illustrator, an energy efficiency expert and pioneer of ethical ‘green’ business models went a long way beyond that.
His life-long enthusiasm for wildlife, especially insects, was marked by leading roles in the Amateur Entomologists’ Society and the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS). For the latter, he was responsible for a popular annual programme of meetings, workshops and bioblitzes. One of the latter was attended by 1,300 people and generated 11,000 records of almost 650 species. In 2023, he received the prestigious Marsh Award for Entomology which supports field-based ecology and recognises individuals specialising in invertebrates that have made an outstanding contribution to entomological science.
Born in Middlesborough, Steve’s artistic talents emerged during his teenage years, alongside his particular interest in entomology – initially moths and butterflies. He was mentored as a young artist by no less a figure than Sir Peter Scott, founder of the Wildlife & Wetlands Trust and co-founder of the World Wide Fund for Nature, who encouraged him to paint his local fauna and flora. As an art college student, he ran natural history clubs and acquired a sideline cataloguing entomology specimens at a local museum.
He extended his range into graphic design, winning the Youngblood Young Designer of the Year award five years rin a row. Steve found work with London’s leading advertising and marketing agencies and the designs and logos he produced featured prominently in the advertisements for major companies, including British Airways and TriStar Entertainment.
As an illustrator, he undertook work for book publishers and newspapers, illustrating two of the modern-day Thomas the Tank Engine series and providing artwork for the Disney Corporation. Preparing brochure illustrations for the Kuoni travel company enabled him to travel and study wildlife in exotic locations. He was a keen Scuba diver and contributed to the United Nations Commission on Oceans and Reefs. His work as a wildlife artist brought him commissions from, among others, Princess Anne, Sir David Attenborough and the King of Nepal.
He and his partner Jane Pickering, who received his Award from HNHS Chair Peter Tallantire, moved from London to Redbourn in the 1990s, where they delighting in close access to the countryside. It was during this phase in his life that he championed ‘affinity’ business models, creating insurance and telecom companies who passed a percentage of customer payments to charity. He also established Big Green Book – a network promoting environmental and sustainable business that became the largest of its kind in Britain. He went on to become the creative director and editor-in-chief of Greener Times Media, publishers of the Environmental and Sustainability Handbook and the Energy Efficiency Handbook organisers of the annual Energy Efficiency Awards and publishers of the magazines Social Housing Today and Greener Times.
Photo: Jane Pickering, partner of the late Stephen Lings, received his award from HNHS Chair Peter Tallantire (©Tim Hill)
Steve was also a keen supporter of wildlife and environmental charities including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, WWF, Rainforest Concern and the RSPB. Friends recall him on occasion buying-up whole tracts of threatened rainforest that he then donated to conservation bodies.
We express sadness for the loss of an outstanding Hertfordshire naturalist whose natural modesty disguised his many, remarkable contributions to entomology, conservation, sustainability and the future of our planet. This award gives us a chance to celebrate his achievements.