BTO Youth Representatives

England - London, the South West and the South East

Amira, 22, (she/her)

Cornwall / London (North) 

Amira is a passionate naturalist, bird enthusiast, and a master's student in Biodiversity & Conservation at the University of Exeter in Cornwall. She hopes to spread her love for UK birds and wildlife to as many young people as possible!

For Amira, nature isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life. She enjoys helping others form meaningful connections with the natural world, inspiring them to act for its protection and restoration. As a BTO Youth Rep, she would like to help create an inclusive community of young birders and conservationists, and offer opportunities for skill-building, learning, and collaboration.

Ashvi, 24,  (she/her)

Merseyside / London (North)

Ashvi is currently studying Zoology at the University of Liverpool. Her fascination with nature began with wildlife photography and nature documentaries, sparking awe for the diversity and intricacies of life on our planet.

She spent the last year studying in Australia, where she was immersed in entirely different ecosystems and encountered remarkable wildlife. Returning to England, Ashvi is eager to inspire people from all backgrounds to connect with the wonders of nature that surround us—even in the heart of our cities. She is particularly fascinated by the ingenious ways wildlife is adapting to urban environments.

In addition to her love of birds, Ashvi is passionate about bats and volunteers with the Bat Conservation Trust. She also loves dancing and would love to find creative ways to engage people with nature.

Georgina, 23,  (she/her)

Hertfordshire / Sussex (East)

Georgina is a 23-year-old Biology graduate from the University of St. Andrews and has always had a passion for conservation. She is currently part of a graduate scheme focussing on Environment, Health and Safety. She developed a love for birding after watching her first bird ringing demonstration at the Knepp Estate. She is now a ringing trainee working towards achieving her C-permit and expanding her knowledge of birds.

As a BTO Youth Representative she aims to engage young individuals with wildlife and develop their appreciation for the natural world. She believes providing sources of inspiration for young people through activities such as bird ringing demonstrations and nature-oriented talks are extremely important as they can shape their futures.

Humphrey, 23, (he/him)

London (South) / Bristol / Cornwall

Humphrey, Youth Representative

Humphrey is a birder and filmmaker from South-East London. Born and raised in Lewisham, he grew to love the natural world by visiting the Natural History Museum, Horniman Museum, and watching classic Attenborough documentaries. He got into birding via regular visits to family in Norfolk, where he fell in love with bitterns, spoonbills, and all the waders of the Wash.

Having obtained a degree in Zoology from the University of Exeter in Penryn, he is now studying for a Masters in Directing and Producing Natural History at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, with ambitions to make wildlife films that help more people fall in love with nature.

With BTO Youth he hopes to get more young people from urban areas outdoors and excited about birds, butterflies, and the natural world. His favourite UK bird is the Ring-necked Parakeet, as they wake him up on time every morning!

Johana, 23, (she/her)

Reading

Johana is an undergraduate student currently pursuing her studies in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation. As a dedicated wildlife photographer and writer, she melds her passions to show the beauty of our planet and ways to protect it.

She has volunteered for conservation organisations including Amazon Conservation and Greenpeace. She is lucky enough to be able to travel the world getting to know different cultures and learning about innovative approaches to preserve the environment. Her big passion is environmental education and creating a welcoming community for people interested in nature conservation.

Her favourite parts of nature are plants and birds with which she hopes to work in the future. You can follow her on Instagram.

Jose, 17, (he/him)

Gloucestershire

Jose has been a wildlife enthusiast from a young age, always loving nature wherever he goes. Alongside nature, he is also passionate about crochet and reading. He loves to be outdoors and to be in a natural environment as much as he can. He has also taken up nature photography recently as another one of his hobbies.

He is currently studying for his A-Levels. In addition, he has been involved in several activities and opportunities around the UK, such as being awarded a Young Darwin Scholarship.

In the future, Jose strives to get more people involved in nature. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

Lucy, 24, (she/her)

Cornwall / Oxfordshire (South)

Lucy, Youth Representative

Lucy is currently studying for a masters in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Exeter, based in Cornwall. She loves all aspects of the natural world and wants to work to protect it in the future.

She believes birds are a great way to get people to discover and appreciate the nature around them, even (and especially) in urban areas. As a BTO Youth Representative, she hopes to help people build this connection to and passion for wildlife and the outdoors.  

Mya, 22, (she/her)

Sussex (West) / Dorset

Mya is a 22-year-old birder, wildlife photographer, naturalist, and vlogger. She is currently studying an Ecology and Wildlife Conservation degree at Bournemouth University. Having had a passion for wildlife since the age of 8, she is now hoping to encourage the next generation to take up an interest in the natural world.

Alongside her studies, she is an ambassador for the Cameron Bespolka Trust, Leica Sport Optics, and a council member for the Sussex Ornithological Society. 

Niamh, 22, (she/her)

Oxfordshire (South) /  Bedfordshire

Niamh, Youth Representative

Niamh is a birder, naturalist and environmentalist from Bedfordshire who is currently in her third year at the University of Oxford. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and her lifelong goal is to stop the biodiversity and climate crises.

From a young age, thanks to hours spent on her grandparents’ farm and walking with her parents in the countryside, she has been immersed in the natural world. She hopes that, as a Youth Representative, she can give other young people the opportunity to be immersed in the natural world as she was. She strongly believes that this will foster deep connections between young people and birds and wildlife, and will motivate young people to protect our natural world.

At university, she is Oxford Ornithological Student Society (OXOSS) President and is also involved in the Nature Conservation Society. Niamh is also a senior ambassador for the Tree Council. You can follow her on Instagram.

Ramandeep, 20, (she/her)

Reading / Birmingham & West Midlands

Ramandeep, Youth Representative

Ramandeep is a third year zoology student at the University of Reading and is currently in her placement year with the Global Rewilding Alliance.

She loves community organising and learning new skills so that she can improve access to nature for all. 

She is currently a key organiser for UK Youth for Nature, a trustee for the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, and part of the team for the youth storytelling podcast 'Generation Nature'.

Zak, 19, (he/him; they/them)

London (South)

Zak has always had an interest in nature, but found his true passion in engaging with other people through wildlife.

He currently works with the London Wildlife Trust, and runs his Instagram page (@zakarillion if you are interested!) in hopes of inspiring people to interact with the wild world in their own way, and looks forward to working with young people as a BTO Youth Rep.

England - East and West Midlands and the East of England

Alice, 23, (she/her)

Essex (South)

Alice is a 23 year-old wildlife conservationist and a keen birder.

As a teenager she regularly volunteered for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Wildlife Trust and later went on to read Zoology at University. Here, she began to volunteer for the BTO as a youth representative and as a bird ringer before attaining her ringing licence, which she used whilst working at bird observatories across Europe.

She particularly enjoys nest monitoring and has recently worked as an RSPB Senior Research Assistant studying lapwing in North Wales.

Benjamin, 24, (he/him)

Shropshire

Benjamin works as a youth engagement officer and is passionate about connecting people with the birds and nature on their doorstep. Having previously been a youth rep in North Wales and back home in Northern Ireland, he recently made the move to Shropshire to work with Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Despite now living far from the sea, his favourite bird is still the eider!

Curtis, 22, (he/him)

Nottinghamshire

Curtis is a 22-year-old birder and nature lover from Nottingham. He has always loved animals, but began his first year list in 2021 (Thanks to his grandads help) and has never looked back! In 2024, he graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Politics and International Relational Relations where he wrote his dissertation on ‘The Impact of Responsibility and Blame on Effective Climate Change Policymaking’.

Curtis is passionate about sharing the beauty and power of nature through photography and educational walks and content. He is also a support worker, so is motivated to help make birdwatching more accessible and inclusive. He particularly enjoys dawn chorus walks as they offer a tranquil immersion into nature and are a great opportunity to develop various identification skills. He hopes to help others get closer to nature and discover the amazing benefits of embracing birds and wildlife.

Damaris, 24, (she/her)

Hertfordshire 

Damaris is a 24-year-old Environmental Science student at the Open University with a deep love for birds and the natural world. Her passion for nature began as a child while watching David Attenborough documentaries, but it wasn’t until three years ago, during a visit to a local nature reserve, that she truly discovered the joy of birding.

As a strong advocate for the connection between nature and wellbeing, Damaris is passionate about highlighting the importance of spending time outdoors for mental health. She believes that everyone should feel safe and at home in nature and hopes to inspire other young people to appreciate and care for the planet. Beyond birding, she enjoys reading, collecting rocks, and pressing flowers and leaves in her free time.

Elizabeth, 24, (she/her)

Suffolk

Elizabeth is currently the BTO's Biological Data Manager, so at work mostly mingles with her fellow data nerds. She has a beginner's interest in mycology, and in a previous life spent most of her time chasing feral pigeons around Oxford.

As a Youth Representative, Elizabeth hopes to share different ways to get involved with or pursue a career in the conservation sector.

Georgina, 23, (she/her)

Hertfordshire / Sussex (East)

Georgina is a 23-year-old Biology graduate from the University of St. Andrews and has always had a passion for conservation. She is currently part of a graduate scheme focussing on Environment, Health and Safety. She developed a love for birding after watching her first bird ringing demonstration at the Knepp Estate. She is now a ringing trainee working towards achieving her C-permit and expanding her knowledge of birds.

As a BTO Youth Representative she aims to engage young individuals with wildlife and develop their appreciation for the natural world. She believes providing sources of inspiration for young people through activities such as bird ringing demonstrations and nature-oriented talks are extremely important as they can shape their futures.

Iris, 20, (she/her)

Lothian / Bedfordshire

Iris, Youth Representative

Iris is an undergraduate at Edinburgh University studying Chinese. She has always been interested in birds, a passion which feeds into her wider concerns about conservation and habitat protection.

Helping organise events for an environmental group at school made her realise the importance of engaging young people in issues related to this field. She hopes to be able to continue this through her role as Youth Representative for BTO in Lothian and Bedfordshire.

Josh, 23, (he/him)

Yorkshire (Central) / Nottinghamshire

Josh is currently studying for an MRes in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation at Nottingham Trent University. He spent much of his time as an undergraduate on placements including researching birds and reforestation in Brazil, monitoring rewilding in Italy and working as an Assistant Trainee Warden with the RSPB.

He is fascinated by wildlife, particularly birds and forests, and wants to share this passion with others to inspire future conservationists! As a Youth Rep he would like to spark interest in nature through creative media and show wildlife through a different lens!

Lauren, 19, (she/her)

Suffolk

Lauren is a 19-year-old birder from Suffolk with a passion for wildlife, who is currently doing a Horticultural apprenticeship with the National Trust. Since she was very young she can remember having a love for the outdoors, but her birding obsession really
began in lockdown, when she had the time to learn birdsong and get out in nature with less disruption.

She loves going to local nature reserves to birdwatch when she can, and is soon to become a trainee ringer in her spare time, inspired by the ringing demonstrations that she watched during a rewilding course at the Knepp Estate. She also enjoys photography, and is keen to improve her skills and learn how to do wildlife photography properly whilst being a Youth Representative.

Through this role, she hopes to meet plenty of like-minded young people who can share her passion for birds and wildlife, as well as encouraging more young people to get out in nature and appreciate the incredible birdlife we have in the UK!

Niamh, 22, (she/her)

Oxfordshire (South) / Bedfordshire

Niamh, Youth Representative

Niamh is a birder, naturalist and environmentalist from Bedfordshire who is currently in her third year at the University of Oxford. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and her lifelong goal is to stop the biodiversity and climate crises.

From a young age, thanks to hours spent on her grandparents’ farm and walking with her parents in the countryside, she has been immersed in the natural world. She hopes that, as a Youth Representative, she can give other young people the opportunity to be immersed in the natural world as she was. She strongly believes that this will foster deep connections between young people and birds and wildlife, and will motivate young people to protect our natural world.

At university, she is Oxford Ornithological Student Society (OXOSS) President and is also involved in the Nature Conservation Society. Niamh is also a senior ambassador for the Tree Council. You can follow her on Instagram.

Ramandeep, 20, (she/her)

Reading / Birmingham & West Midlands

Ramandeep, Youth Representative

Ramandeep is a third year zoology student at the University of Reading and is currently in her placement year with the Global Rewilding Alliance.

She loves community organising and learning new skills so that she can improve access to nature for all. 

She is currently a key organiser for UK Youth for Nature, a trustee for the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, and part of the team for the youth storytelling podcast 'Generation Nature'.

Rhys, 18, (he/him)

Essex (Northwest)

Rhys, Youth Representative

Rhys has always had a great passion for wildlife and hopes to use this in his position as the Youth Representative for Essex. He aims to inspire young people in his area in the pursuit of conservation.

He hopes to eventually have a career in conservation ornithology and one day study his favourite bird family: raptors. 

Shan, 23, (he/him)

Essex (South)

Shan is a 23-year-old marine biology graduate from the University of Southampton who is passionate about wildlife conservation. His journey into birding began uniquely—through playing the board game Wingspan. This game sparked his fascination with the diversity and beauty of birds.

Recently, he has dedicated himself to regular birding outings, refining his bird identification and observation skills and developing a deeper appreciation for the hobby. He actively volunteers for projects such as the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) which is crucial for monitoring the health of the UK’s wetland ecosystems by tracking bird populations. Recently, he has also embraced wildlife photography, sharing his work on Instagram (@naturewithshan), further cultivating his connection and others with nature.

As a BTO Youth Representative, he is dedicated to inspiring all young people to connect with nature. He believes that engaging activities such as guided walks, educational talks, and hands-on workshops can ignite a passion for conservation for the next generation to actively protect and celebrate the rich biodiversity of our outdoor spaces.

Socks, 20, (he/they)

Nottinghamshire

Socks, Youth Representative

Socks is a 20-year-old student at the University of Nottingham, where they are studying Zoology. They have taken an interest in nature, particularly birds since age 2. Socks is a keen birder and falconer, completing their falconry qualification at age 13. They love to spend time outside in nature in their free time, birdwatching and photographing wildlife.

Birds may be Socks’ main passion, however they love all species and are excited to share this passion with more young people. They would like to connect with other young birders and organise trips where they can expand their skills.

They would also like to work towards making nature accessible to everyone and ensuring that everyone can experience the wonders of nature. You can follow Socks on Instagram.

Tolu, 19, (she/her)

Leicestershire & Rutland

Tolu is a 19-year-old student from Leicestershire with a passion for nature and conservation. She also enjoys encouraging other young people to engage with nature in whichever ways they find most accessible. Getting involved with nature can have a really positive impact on people's mental health and help us to coexist with our environment.   

England - Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West and the North East

Ashvi, 24, (she/her)

Merseyside / London (North)

Ashvi is currently studying Zoology at the University of Liverpool. Her fascination with nature began with wildlife photography and nature documentaries, sparking awe for the diversity and intricacies of life on our planet.

She spent the last year studying in Australia, where she was immersed in entirely different ecosystems and encountered remarkable wildlife. Returning to England, Ashvi is eager to inspire people from all backgrounds to connect with the wonders of nature that surround us—even in the heart of our cities. She is particularly fascinated by the ingenious ways wildlife is adapting to urban environments.

In addition to her love of birds, Ashvi is passionate about bats and volunteers with the Bat Conservation Trust. She also loves dancing and would love to find creative ways to engage people with nature.

Eddee, 22, (she/her)

Manchester

Eddee is a recent environmental management graduate from the University of Manchester and took up birding as a complementary hobby in 2022.

As a Youth Representative she aims to create an inclusive space where young people can develop skills in bird identification, and an appreciation for the natural world. She also champions nature positivity and advocates for a solutions-oriented, optimistic approach towards conserving and enhancing biodiversity!

Josh, 23, (he/him)

Yorkshire (Central) / Nottinghamshire

Josh S, Youth Representative

Josh is currently studying for an MRes in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation at Nottingham Trent University. He spent much of his time as an undergraduate on placements including researching birds and reforestation in Brazil, monitoring rewilding in Italy and working as an Assistant Trainee Warden with the RSPB.

He is fascinated by wildlife, particularly birds and forests, and wants to share this passion with others to inspire future conservationists! As a Youth Rep he would like to spark interest in nature through creative media and show wildlife through a different lens!

Northern Ireland

Niamh, 16, (she/her)

Armagh

Niamh is a student from Northern Ireland. In her free time you can usually find her at a dog agility competition but if not she's most likely bird watching, bird ringing, checking her camera trap for interesting visitors or helping out on a rewilding project in Mayo.

Niamh is passionate about helping other young people get involved in nature. She looks forward to promoting more engagement in Northern Ireland! 

Seamus, 17, (he/him)

Antrim / Belfast

Seamus, YR

Seamus is currently studying for his A levels at school in Belfast. He has been passionate about birds and wildlife ever since he could read, and he loves getting out to his local nature reserve to birdwatch. Outside of the natural world, he is a passionate cricketer and debater, and enjoys running in his spare time.

Seamus volunteers at a tree nursery every week, and also founded and currently runs a nature society in his school, which as a group built and now maintain a pollinator garden in the grounds. Through his role in the BTO he hopes to encourage young people like himself to build an appreciation for birds, wildlife and nature as a whole.

Scotland 

David, 22, (he/him)

Lothian

David R

David is the Birding and Science Officer for the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, based in Lothian. He is a keen birder and most often found on his local patch looking for and recording birds and other wildlife.

He enjoys sharing his passion for the natural world with other young people and has organised a variety of BTO Youth events including bird walks, survey training, a boat trip and a conference.

Hannah, 19, (she/her)

Lothian

Hannah C, Youth Representative

Hannah is 19 years old and has long had a passion for wildlife and birds. She volunteers with a children's wildlife club and loves taking part in RSPB and BTO surveys, as well as making feeders for the birds in her garden from recycled materials. She also enjoys getting muddy and going for rambles in the countryside.

Hannah is currently studying Zoology at the University of Edinburgh and is particularly interested in animal behaviour, especially in mammals and birds. An experience that inspired her was visiting the Farne Islands where she saw her favourite birds (puffins and baby pufflings!) nesting right up close!

As a Youth Representative, Hannah would like to help inspire the next generation of birders and conservationists and help to bridge the gap between city life and nature.

Iris, 20, (she/her)

Lothian / Bedfordshire

Iris, Youth Representative

Iris is an undergraduate at Edinburgh University studying Chinese. She has always been interested in birds, a passion which feeds into her wider concerns about conservation and habitat protection.

Helping organise events for an environmental group at school made her realise the importance of engaging young people in issues related to this field. She hopes to be able to continue this through her role as Youth Representative for BTO in Lothian and Bedfordshire.

Joe, 16, (he/him)

Kincardine and Deeside

Joe is an Aberdeenshire ringer and nest finder with a particular interest in raptors and waders. Having held a ringing licence since he turned 16, he enjoys learning more about birds from time spent in the field. Joe is a keen nest finder, and enjoys the challenge and deeper understanding gained from trying to find nests! He is also interested in other parts of the ecosystem, especially wasps and damselflies. When he is not revising for his highers, Joe can be found somewhere in a bog, hill or wood locally.

As a Youth Representative, Joe would like to help others develop their interest in the natural world further, and encourage other young people to get involved and hands-on with their local conservation and research projects.

Wales

Ciera, 24, (she/her)

Caerphilly / Glamorgan (South)

Ciera, Youth Representative

Ciera is a masters student studying Biosciences at Swansea University following her Biology degree. She is a keen birder and passionate about getting people to spend time and enjoy nature, to appreciate what can be found just on your doorstep.

During her time at university, she was involved in the conservation and ecology society and played an important role as the student’s union environment officer, organising nature-based events for students to get involved in.

As a BTO Youth Representative she’s excited to inspire and bring together more young people to encourage a community of nature enthusiasts.

Liliana, 23, (she/her)

Pembrokeshire / Glamorgan (South)

Liliana has loved nature and wildlife from an early age but only got the birding bug upon joining the Ornithological Society at Cardiff University. She is now President of the society, sharing her passion for birds and conservation alongside studying a degree in Biological Sciences (Zoology). 

As part of her degree, she completed a placement year studying the impacts of human habitat disturbance on the birds of northeastern Costa Rica, a truly amazing experience with many incredible birds! She is also Treasurer of her university’s Wildlife and Conservation Society, and a youth volunteer with her local Wildlife Trust currently working on a campaign to improve water quality in the River Taff (Cardiff). 

She is driven by wanting to increase peoples access to nature, so everyone can learn to love and care for our envrionment and become empowered to protect it. Through her role as a BTO Youth Rep she is hoping to engage young people from across Wales with nature and conservation, and encourage the next generation of birders.

Isle of Man

Alex, 23, (she/her)

Lonan (East)

Alex, Youth Representative

Alex is a MSc by Research Ecology student at Lancaster University. After developing her focus on birds during her undergraduate studies, she spent the last year volunteering with several wildlife charities on the Isle of Man.

She is keen to get more young people interested in the wildlife on their doorstep on the Isle of Man, especially at the Calf of Man bird observatory. She hopes to encourage this through art and exploring the outdoors.

She is particularly interested in ducks and coastal waders, especially Curlew.