The proud recipient of the 2010 Gordon Smith Award, Blair Moro (centre) is joined by (left to right) Metro Vancouver's Frieda Schade, Blair's father Greg, sister Marlissa, mother Marnie, and Denise Coutts of the Pacific Parklands Foundation.

Blair Moro is the recipient of this year’s Gordon Smith Environmental Youth Award. He is a dedicated environmental steward, who has played a key role at Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey

Here are some of the comments about Blair Moro from his nomination:

Blair’s list of accomplishments is long and includes over 900 hours of volunteer service at the Tynehead Hatchery. Over the past nine years he has participated in all aspects of hatchery work including capturing brood stock, caring for fish, giving
hatchery tours and taking part in fish releases and events.

Blair was also a peer leader with the Catching the Spirit youth program in 2009 and will return again for the summer of 2010. For three years before becoming a peer leader, he both participated in and led many stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, planting native plants, trail building, decommissioning illegal
trails and teaching others about no trace camping.

Always on the honour role, Blair is a Grade 12 student at North Surrey Secondary. According to the school vice principal, he has demonstrated a history of service to his school and community, and “is a leader of great integrity and compassion”.

Active with the scouting program for 12 years, Blair has received his Queen’s Venturer Award and continues to volunteer 10 to 15 hours a month with Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

And the kudos don’t stop there! Blair has also been the recipient of bronze, silver, and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, an international program that “challenges young
people to reach for their best”.

One item of particular pride to Blair and his family is that Blair was one of two young Canadians selected to represent Canada at the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, last fall. He travelled with 48 veterans and elected officials and spoke at numerous services and memorials as an ambassador of Canadian youth.

The Gordon Smith Youth Environmental Stewardship Award was created to honour Gordon Smith, a champion for the environment who loved involving children and youth in his projects. The award encourages and inspires young people to pursue environmental activities and studies.

For more on the Gordon Smith Youth Environmental Stewardship Award, click here.