A STUDENT has been rewarded for helping wildlife.

Josh Kalms, who recently graduated from the University of Worcester was presented with the Greatest Contribution to Wildlife Conservation Award at a recent ceremony at the university.

The award was presented by Professor Graham Martin, vice chairman of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and emeritus professor at the University of Birmingham.

The award, sponsored by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and the University’s Institute of Science and the Environment, recognises students who demonstrate their own initiative to benefit wildlife through volunteering, wildlife study and research.

It is not presented every year and is only granted to a student who shows exceptional dedication to conservation.

Professor Martin explained: “It’s remarkable just how many projects Josh has initiated or been involved with during his time at university.

“Not only was he chair of the Nature Society but he installed bat boxes around the university campus at St John’s as well as monitored the 35 bird nesting boxes on campus.

“Josh trained student society members to undertake wildlife recording and was a member of the University’s Strategic Biodiversity Management Group.

“His contributions didn’t just end at the university gates; he worked with local organisations such as Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, Avon Community Wetlands in Pershore and Worcester Roots.”

Away from Worcester, he was involved with voluntary conservation groups at home in Hertfordshire as well as taking time to volunteer in the Lake District and in Honduras during university holidays.

He graduated in 2017 with a BSc (Hons) conservation ecology – first class and has since been undertaking work with an ecological consultancy.

For more information about the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk