Five Bermudian students have received a combined $22,500 in educational funding awards from the Bermuda Zoological Society Steinhoff Scholarship programme.

Heather Galloway, William Gardner, Isabella Murdoch, Imogen Peckett and Fae Sapsford were selected for their academic excellence and commitment to protecting the environment.

The BZS Steinhoff Scholarship was established in 2009 by Robert Steinhoff, the former president of the society.

Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded $215,000 to 36 recipients, including this year's awards.

The scholarship is awarded to students in their final two years of study for a higher education degree in subjects related to environmental sciences.

BZS said it hopes to encourage young Bermudians to become stewards of the island's unique environment.

Mr Steinhoff praised this year’s applicants fortheir knowledge and love of nature and believes they can be leaders in the future when it comes to Bermuda's environment.

Heather Galloway is starting a PhD in sciences at Cornell University, and will complete a study of the soundscapes of Bermuda's marine environments.

William Gardner is studying for a joint master’s of business administration and master’s of forestry degree at Yale University.

Mr Gardner said he was grateful to the scholarship committee for its support and was heartened that the committee felt that his chosen field of study was important.

Isabella Murdoch is entering her fourth year studying for a bachelor’s degree in environmental governance at the University of Guelph in Canada.

Imogen Peckett will start her fourth year pursuing a bachelor of science degree in environmental geography at Cardiff University.

This is Ms Peckett’s second time receiving this scholarship for her education, which, she says, has given her invaluable career insight and scientific understanding, which she hopes to bring back to Bermuda.

Fae Sapsford will study for a PhD in maritime affairs at the World Maritime University in Sweden in the fall.

• For more information, visit bamz.org