2010 AG Awards Young Conservationist of the Year: Simon Cherriman
SIMON CHERRIMAN GREW up in the Perth Hills, Western Australia, and developed an interest in birds and the bush from his outdoor upbringing.
He has a particular passion for the wedge-tailed eagle, which began after finding a nest when he was 15. To this day, he continues to find and map nests and study, photograph and film eagles in the wild. Simon completed a degree in environmental biology at Curtin University, conducting his honours research on the territory size and diet of the wedge-tailed eagle in the Perth region whilst guiding observation tours at Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary.
His first amateur film, A King on Outstretched Wings, has sold over 400 copies and contributed to hiis winning the WA Environmental Young Person of the Year in 2008.
He is currently pursing a master’s in Natural History Filmmaking at the University of Otago University in New Zealand. Along with his studies, Simon juggles running a small business, INSIGHT Ornithology (specialising in bird research, photography, and education) and working as an environmental consultant.
His ultimate goal is to make films about Australian wildlife which emphasise the beauty of his unique country to others, and show that one can live a simple, happy life by enjoying the wonders of the natural world.
“Not once i go into the outdoors and don’t think about the people who have lived on these lands for thousand of years,” Simon says. “This award is humbling and I’m really grateful. To me I’m just a big kid in love in nature and passionate about sharing it…”I’d love to thank the wedge-tailed eagle, these majestic beloved birds of mine.”
RELATED STORIES
Blog: Flight of the wedge-tailed eagle
2010 AG Society Awards
About the AG Society Awards
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