Local environmental enthusiast wins the 2004 Jersey millenium fellowship award

Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, is pleased to announce that Pedram Padidar is this year's winner of the Jersey Millennium Fellowship Award.

Pedram, who works for the local environmental group Little Green Men, has won a place on the Earthwatch scientific field research project Manatees of Belize, where he will acquire new skills in scientific observation and play a leading role in the conservation initiative.

The Jersey Millennium Fellowship Awards were set up five years ago with a £50,000 bursary from the States of Jersey. Every year applicants are invited to demonstrate how the experience of working on a scientific project will benefit both their personal development and the local community and environment.
 

Pedram will travel to Belize in July to join the effort to save the endangered manatees. Working along side Earthwatch scientists, he will conduct habitat surveys, follow individual manatees around the Caribbean mangrove islands, and collect vital data about the species and their habitat. All of his hard work will help Earthwatch scientists to determine the nature, and extent, of human-related threats against these gentle marine relatives of the elephant.

Pedram said, 'Winning this award is wonderful news and I am very excited about going on the research project with Earthwatch. I feel that this award has given me an opportunity to make a difference. I may not be able to halt global warming, the extinction of species or deforestation, but I do feel can help to raise the awareness of those around me. Upon my return I would like to take my experiences into the local schools to illustrate to the students the importance of our island and the need to protect the environment and our local wildlife.'

'I am a committed member of the Jersey Action for Wildlife and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and am planning to organise a talk for local members later this year. I am also intending to dedicate some time to helping conserve our islands marine inhabitants; the dolphin, seal and whale populations who frequent our waters.'

Tom Burstow, Environmental Engagement Manager for Earthwatch commented, 'We are delighted to be able to provide another Jersey resident with the opportunity to join our scientists in the field so they can really get to grips with the idea of a sustainable environment. Not only will Pedram be able to take part in this project, but he will also receive a three year Earthwatch membership and support from the Earthwatch Environmental Engagement Department with his projects at home.'

Chris Newton, Director of Environment at the States of Jersey further added, 'The Jersey Millennium Fellowship offers islanders the opportunity to gain an environmental experience in the wider global arena. We hope that Pedram will have a fantastic time and use the knowledge and understanding he acquires to make a real and worthwhile contribution to environmental work in Jersey.'

For more information on Jersey Millennium Fellowships, please contact:

Mark Harper, Environmental Engagement Officer. Telephone, 01865 318855 or email mharper@earthwatch.org.uk.

For press information, images and interview please contact:

Zoe Gamble, Press Officer, Earthwatch, on + 44 (0) 1865 318806 / zgamble@earthwatch.org.uk

Editors Notes