The Dr. M. Wosk Leadership Fund was established by the Pacific Parklands Foundation for the development of youth leadership in 2006 and held by the Vancouver Foundation. The purpose of this fund is to engage, train and empower today’s youth with the skills necessary for the future sustainability of our spectacular city and regional parks. Participants will be trained in ecological issues and environmental preservation as well as organizational and communication skills necessary to make a profound difference.  The impact of their work will be felt by all as they grow to become the leaders of the future. “With one inspired leader there is the potential of attracting a thousand or more participants.  Without those exceptional leaders, thousands of people may never get involved.” - Dr. Mordehai Wosk

The Dr. M. Wosk Environmental Leadership Awards were presented at the Pacific Parklands Foundation Annual General Meeting on April 1, 2010 to Lucia Lam, Adam Heffly, Claire Truesdale, Melany Roseburg, Henry Fung, Ivy Wan, Blair Moro and Erin Rutherford. 

Adam Heffey, a grade 12 studnt at Sullivan Heights Secondary in Surrey, has been invovled with the Catching the Spirit program fro the past five years.  Adam is very passionate about the work that he does in Tynehead Regional Park.  He is a seaonsed volunteer at the Tynehead Hatchery and has helped to raise public awareness, worked directly with many speices and inspires others to protect fish and their habitat.

Henry Fung, a grade 12 student at Richmond Secondary, has been involved with the Catching the Spirit program since 2005 contributing more than 333 volunteer hours ranging from partrolling the park to removing litter from the trails, to clearing away hazardous obstacles along the paths and restoring the natural habitat. Henry is inspired to motivate youth to change their habits, advocate for people to lead a greeener life, and for all to make less of an impact on our environment.

Ivy Wan, a grade 12 student at R.C. Palmer Secondary in Richmond, is a straight A student, earning her school's Top Scholar Award in 2009.  For the past ten years, Ivy has been a dedicated volunteer with the 32nd Richmond Scout Group and is currently their Group Commissioner and Venturer Advisor.  Shs a Climate Change Youth Ambassador and since 2004, has actively promoted the TD Great Canadaan Shoreline Cleanup in Richmond as the site coordinator.  At school, Ivy is an executive member of the Environmental Club, the editor of the school yearbook and a member of the Debate Team, the Student Council and the Global Leadership Team.  Ivy volunteered this past summer as Peer Leader with the Catching the Spirit program.

Erin Rutherford received her diploma in Environmenal Studies at Douglas College and is now attending BCIT where she is completing her Diploma of Technology in Fish, Wildlife and Recreation.  Erin started volunteering in 1998 and has over the years, had some amazing experiences with OWL, Colony Farm Park Association, Mossom Hatchery, Robson Bright Ecological Reserve, Sage Foundation, SHARE and the Richmond Community Foundation.  Most recently, Erin volunteerd for the Stanley park Ecology Society, including helping on a research study on the bats of Stanley Park.  This experience has led Erin to continue working with bats, conducting her year-long BCIT applied research project on the bats of Stanley Park.

Project Park: Regional Parks
Project Champion: Dr. Mordehai Wosk

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