SRUC student Ollie wins RZSS Young Conservationist of the Year Award 2026
An SRUC student has been honoured for his dedication to wildlife conservation.
Ollie Kwan, who studies HNC Wildlife Conservation and Management at SRUC’s Oatridge Campus in West Lothian, received the Young Conservationist of the Year Award 2026 from Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) in recognition of his voluntary work with Edinburgh Zoo.
The award was presented by RZSS Chief Executive David Field during a unique ceremony held inside the zoo’s capybara habitat, where he recognised Ollie’s dedication to the charity’s mission while surrounded by the South American mammals.
He said: “Ollie’s enthusiasm and passion for wildlife has been infectious and through his work he has inspired children and young people to protect, value and love nature.”
Since 2025, Ollie has supported events and outdoor learning programmes at Edinburgh Zoo, including Summer School and year-round sessions such as the Conservation Action Team (CAT) and RZSS Wild Learning.
Ollie said: "I am deeply honoured to be named the RZSS Young Conservationist of the Year. This recognition is a powerful motivator to continue contributing to the field. My hope is to inspire others to appreciate and protect the fascinating world of wildlife and nature."
Senior Lecturer John McGregor said: “Ollie originally undertook our NC Countryside Management course in 2024/25. During this time Ollie proved to be an exceptional student who was always willing to get stuck in on practical tasks, whether that be getting mucky during path construction activities or out during his Ecology & wildlife identification modules.
“After successfully completing the NC, Ollie progressed on to his current course at Oatridge, the HNC Wildlife Conservation Management course, where he is once again excelling. Ollie has a genuine passion for wildlife conservation and truly deserves the recognition bestowed upon him by RZSS.”
The Young Conservationist of the Year Award allows RZSS to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of young people and their contribution to the natural world.
If you are interested in studying wildlife and conservation management, find out more: HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management
Posted by SRUC on 13/03/2026
