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WOS Young Conservationists’ Bursaries

Welsh Ornithological Society

The Welsh Ornithological Society’s Young Conservationists’ Bursaries were established to commemorate the Society’s former chairman Derek Moore, who was a champion of encouraging the next generation of conservationists. The aim of the Young Conservationist’s Bursary is to provide a financial contribution towards the costs incurred while volunteering, or gaining experience, of studying or conserving birds in Wales.

WOS is the only Wales based organisation working to promote the conservation of birds in Wales. While some of our activities take place across the whole of the country, we recognise the importance of the volunteering work carried out by young people. In order to help cover some of the costs relating to volunteering, WOS is able to offer grants up to £200.

We also recognise that many young birders may find the costs of attending the WOS Annual Conference prohibitive and we encourage applications for all or part of the conference fee and travel costs. There is a separate application form for this which can be downloaded here.

The Society has set an annual budget of £400 for Young Conservationist Bursaries, which will cover all applications.

What can a Young Conservationist Bursary be used for?

The criteria for activities which we are able to consider for funding:

  • Volunteering work being carried out by young people up to the age of 26 years.
  • Work or projects which contribute to the conservation of birds in Wales, including participation in national WOS surveys.
  • A financial conribution towards the fee for attending the WOS Annual Conference.

 

The types of activity which can be funded:

  • Carrying out management or maintenance work on a nature reserve.
  • Leading or assisting in a project to study birds in Wales.
  • Attending a course such as Ringer Training or a Welsh-based residential course.
  • Attending a conference, in Wales, to gain knowledge of birds in Wales.

 

Conditions of Funding:

  • Applicants must hold current WOS Young Birder Membership.
  • All recipients are required to follow the Birdwatchers’ Code.
  • Any publicity, including press releases, should include mention of support from the Welsh Ornithological Society including the logo. You can find this at https://birdsin.wales/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WOS-LOGO-LONG-VERSION-Small.jpg.
  • An ‘End of Project Report’ will be required on a form which will be sent to you. Your report can include photographs – please get permission of any people in the picture to take the photo and to send it to WOS for possible publication.
  • It is the responsibility of the applicant, or if the applicant is aged 16 years or under, a responsible adult, to ensure that adequate insurance and all permissions required are in place before any activities are started.

How do I apply?

For bursaries to enable a Young Birder to attend the WOS conference, applications must be made before 15th October in the year of the Conference and successful applicants will be informed by 25th October. For other bursary applications there are two application deadlines each year: 30 June and 31 December and decisions will be made by the Grants Panel in July and January respectively.  For conference applications please use the separate form which can be downloaded here.

The criteria for making awards have been described above. Applications should be made using one of the forms which can be downloaded below.

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