Joan Burton Paton AM née Cleland (1916–April 2000) was an Australian teacher, naturalist, environmentalist and ornithologist.
Her father was Professor Sir John Burton Cleland, a notable microbiologist and pathologist who strongly encouraged her early interest in natural history.
Joan Paton was educated at the University of Adelaide, where she majored in organic chemistry and biochemistry.
[3][4] Among those she inspired to work in ornithology and environmental conservation was Margaret Cameron, who became the president of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU).
[5] Paton was active in the RAOU, as well as in the South Australian Ornithological Association (SAOA), of which she was elected Vice-President 1974–1979, and President 1979–1982.