Past Presidents’ Canadian Legislator Award

Mike Morris stands out as a champion for science-based conservation and the sustainable stewardship of British Columbia’s natural resources. He is widely respected as a conscience for land-use management in B.C. and a voice for wildlife and the people who care about them. He’s a passionate hands-on advocate for the environment and a voice for wildlife. He’s been a thoughtful critic of the policies that have guided forest management by all provincial governments (including his own) for nearly eight decades.

Trying to change a century-old paradigm that sees the only value of a forest in the trees being converted into two-by-fours has been a daunting task. A mentor of mine once said that you can “move a mountain with a teaspoon.” I think I’ve been able to graduate to a shovel. I remain optimistic the efforts of many like-minded folks can keep B.C.’s unique biodiversity from ecological collapse.

As a young child living in various small remote B.C. communities, I found solace in the outdoors as a way to escape trauma and domestic violence. By the time I began my career as an RCMP member, the outdoors had become a lifestyle. I served many years in remote communities and enjoyed the wild harvest opportunities and all the peace and quiet B.C.’s wilderness had to offer.

The Past Presidents’ Canadian Legislator Award was established in 1988 by former heads of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. This award is presented annually to an elected provincial, territorial or federal legislator in recognition of a significant contribution to the conservation of wildlife in Canada.