Josh Harper, a graduate of Lacombe Composite High School, has been awarded this year's Martha Kostuch Scholarship for Environmental Excellence. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Environmental Excellence

Lacombe grad awarded 2020 Martha Kostuch Scholarship

Sep 2, 2020 | 10:44 AM

A graduate from Lacombe Composite High School is the recipient of this year’s Martha Kostuch Scholarship for Environmental Excellence.

The award sponsored by the Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) has gone to Josh Harper.

This fall, Harper will enter the University of Alberta, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Services, majoring in Conservation Biology.

“The award selection committee was extremely impressed by the combination of Josh’s demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship, his historical scholastic performance, and his future environmental education and career aspirations” said Kevin Warren, PAMZ Executive Director, in a press release.

Harper’s rural upbringing and close access to protected Crown land is said to have allowed him to develop his interest in native plants, noxious weeds, as well as forest and soil sustainability.

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Officials with PAMZ say Harper has been an active member in his community and school, the Junior Forest Rangers, his local 4-H community and a local animal shelter.

The Martha Kostuch scholarship is given out on a yearly basis to high school graduates living in the PAMZ region (west central Alberta) who wish to further their education in an area that will benefit the environment.

The scholarship was established in 2008 to honour the legacy of Dr. Martha Kostuch, a founding Board member of PAMZ and lifelong environmental advocate.