At the NVSS Graduation Ceremony on June 17, the second annual $2,000 Hans Peter Rodseth Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Charles Borek.
Passion for nature
This scholarship is awarded every year in memory of Peter Rodseth a man with a passion for rivers, forests and mountains who was happiest when canoeing, running, skiing, hiking and sharing these skills with others, especially young people. A master woodcarver and trailbuilder by trade he was the environmental conscience of our community, fighting for fair flows for the Nechako River. A compassionate man who cared for others, yet he was a formidable foe to anyone who would despoil our only home, Planet Earth. Through his constant research he foresaw the global warming crisis as early as the 1980’s. In Peter’s words, “we must treat our fragile planet with respect.”
Conservation studies
The annual $2,000 Hans Peter Rodseth Memorial Scholarship will be awarded every year to a NVSS student going into a post-secondary institution in a field of study related to conservation and protection of the environment. Scholarship applicants are expected to embody some of Peter’s love for the natural beauty of this world and his devotion to protecting its environment.
Community volunteer, role model
This year’s successful applicant Charlie Borek is an excellent student and community volunteer with a passion for the outdoors, wilderness canoeing, and cross country skiing and running. Charlie has canoed the rivers and lakes of central and northern BC and the Yukon all his life and in his role as a certified canoeing instructor has coached and encouraged many younger paddlers.
Environmental citizenship, ecology and justice
Charlie Borek has been accepted into the Environmental Studies Program at UNBC this fall studying Biology, Environmental Citizenship, Political Ecology and Environmental Justice. He hopes to use his skills to affect change in the world through his studies in Ecology and Biology, helping to protect threatened habitats and species.
Legacy carried forward
The Peter Rodseth Memorial Scholarship is the direct result of Peter’s hard work and the generosity of his sister Joyce Rodseth and her husband Russ Sparks and their desire to create a lasting legacy in Peter’s name that would reflect his love of the land and help worthy students to carry his ideals into the next generation.
Pete would be pleased
After presenting the scholarship to Charlie at the NVSS Graduation Ceremony on June 17 Joyce Rodseth said, “Charlie said to me after the ceremony with his immediate graciousness, ‘Thank you so much for this.’ I know he will do the scholarship proud. My brother would be pleased that Charlie is the successful recipient of the award.”
Forester, paddler, activist
Peter Rodseth came to the Nechako Valley as a young forestry technician in the 1970’s. He built himself a log home overlooking the Nechako River Bird Sanctuary and would become the catalyst and inspiration for community groups fighting for fair flows for the Nechako River in the 1980’s and 90’s. His epic solo canoe trip with his dog, Spring, down the Nechako and Fraser Rivers to Vancouver to bring attention to the plight of the Nechako made newspaper headlines throughout British Columbia.
Wood carved mural
A hidden gem, a truly remarkable masterpiece created by Pete Rodseth is on display in Vanderhoof on a wall in the Service BC building at 189 E Stewart St. It is a one of a kind wood carved mural depicting life in the Nechako Valley. It took Pete six years to create, measuring an impressive 11.4 m wide by 3 m tall.
Friends of Pete Rodseth
The Hans Peter Rodseth Memorial Scholarship Fund is administered by the Vancity Community Foundation in affiliation with the Vanderhoof Branch of the Integris Credit Union. Those who would like to add to the fund can contact Allison Felker at the Vancity Community Foundation. Telephone: 604 877 6584. Email: allison_felker@vancity.com
- with files submitted by Craig Hooper, Friends of Pete Rodseth Committee