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Two students win awards for natural history work

Lisa Young
BBC News
Joshua Smith Joshua Smith is smiling at the camera as he stands in a field with nine sheep with horns behind him. He is holding a pickaxe over his shoulder that has a long wooden handle. Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith was given the Nigel Queree Environment Award

Two students studying for doctorates have been awarded grants for their natural history work.

Societe Jersiaise has given the Nigel Queree Environment Award for 2025 to Joshua Smith for his project assessing grazing practices.

The study group gave the Roderick Dobson Award to Rees Monet for his work aimed at improving the protection of coastal sharks and skates in the Channel Islands.

The group said Nigel Queree had been one of Jersey's most prominent environmentalists and Roderick Dobson one of the island's most distinguished field naturalists.

Rees Monet Rees Monet is crouching over a skate which someone wearing blue gloves is holding towards him. Mr Monet has a pair of pliers which he is holding near to the skate's mottled skin. He is wearing a life vest and a pair of orange gloves.Rees Monet
Rees Monet was given the Roderick Dobson Natural History Award

Mr Smith is a PhD student at the Jersey International Centre for Advanced Studies.

His project, 'Mow vs Moo', is aimed at comparing the success of different options of grass management in terms of biodiversity and carbon stocks.

University of Exeter PhD student Mr Monet is tracking key species in his study, including the critically endangered Tope shark and three commercially important skate species.

Societe Jersiaise said it continues to welcome applications for grants which are detailed on its website.

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