Submitted by The Friends of Pete Rodseth Committee
At the NVSS Grad Ceremony on June 13th the Peter Rodseth Environmental Stewardship Award was presented to Linnea Moutray.
The award is presented in memory of Pete Rodseth, a compassionate man who cared for others; a woodcarver and trail builder by trade, he was the environmental conscience of the community and the formidable foe of those who would despoil our only home, Planet Earth. He was the catalyst and inspiration for community groups fighting for fair flows for the Nechako River.
This award is presented each year to a graduate student who exemplifies the values and spirit of Pete Rodseth, and embodies his love of the natural beauty of this world and his passion for protecting the environment.
As a biathlon skiing champion for the Nechako Nordics Ski Club, Linnea Moutray shares Peter’s love of cross country skiing as well as his love of canoeing. In June 2017 Linnea was the only woman paddler in the two 8 man, 26 foot Voyageur canoes from Vanderhoof that participated in the Fort to Fort Voyageur Brigade Trip from Fort St. James down the Stuart and Nechako Rivers to Prince George. Linnea also participated in the River Clinic for Empowered Youth, a 5 day wilderness trip down the Nechako River for environmental youth leaders.
As a member of the NVSS EnviroVikes club she and other NVSS students worked as Green Leaders and Environmental Stewards to create positive change locally and globally through recycling campaigns and raising environmental awareness.
Linnea worked with the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative tagging and releasing juvenile sturgeon as a learning experience for primary students. She also participated in the Me to We leadership project empowering participants to create positive social change.
These experiences, and her volunteer work with River Days, Earth Day and Nechako Valley Search and Rescue have provided Linnea with ample opportunity to develop strong leadership skills and environmental advocacy, while serving as a role model for other young people.
Winter or Summer, snow, rain or sunshine, Linnea can be found working and playing in the beautiful landscape of the Central Interior.
Linnea broadened her horizons in 2019 on a student exchange to Sweden where she has family roots. Her future plans include UNBC and world travel.