Pride of Guernsey - 'His level of commitment to developing his knowledge is breath-taking'

George Garnett, who is in Year 12 at Elizabeth College, was nominated for the Butterfield-sponsored award by head of Year 12 Julie Dittmar.

She described him as a 'polite and conscientious student' who was 'utterly reliable', but what set him apart was his passion.

'Talk to him and his eyes light up and his level of commitment to developing his knowledge is breath-taking, just as his contribution to developing and protecting plants on Guernsey deserves recognition.'

As well as studying for his A-levels, George, 17, has completed a survey of trees at Government House for Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder.

He has also been guest speaker at La Societe Guernesiaise's AGM, at which he spoke about his five-week botanical expedition to the Peruvian Amazon in 2015, a trip he financed himself.

George is also assistant curator at the Guernsey Herbarium and has been awarded a certificate with distinction in field botany by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, which Mrs Dittmar said was an amazing achievement for someone so young.

He is also a committee member for Guernsey Trees for Life and a volunteer tree warden, which involves practical conservation projects such as tree planting and maintenance.

As well as this, George is also an ambassador for Younghort, which aims to promote careers involving plants to young people.

'An impressive resume for a young man and testament to what can be achieved with passion and dedication,' Mrs Dittmar said.

George also set up a group in which he plays guitar and has performed several gigs in the island.