In August 2008, Bursill became the founding editor of a new journal of local history, art and natural history named Doryanthes (after the genus of the Gymea Lily, endemic to the Sutherland Shire and Illawarra).
Doryanthes excelsa has also inspired the naming of Doryanthes, the journal of history and heritage for Southern Sydney founded by Dharawal historian Les Bursill.