Bill Heidrick Awarded Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary

Project Watershed's very own Bill Heidrick received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary Club of Courtenay on June 1, 2021.

Brian Storey, Project Watershed Treasurer and Rotarian and Lyle Carlstorm, Lawyer and Rotarian, nominated Bill for this award. “The more I found out about Bill the more I was convinced he deserved this award and I was proud to be part of the process that elected him” said Brian Storey. 

Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905. Throughout this life, Harris exemplified the Rotary motto “service above self”. Continuing his legacy, the Paul Harris Award is the highest award given in Rotary. It is given to a Rotarian or a member of the community that has made an outstanding contribution to the community.

 Bill was chosen for his lifelong dedication to community betterment. In Zeballos, he served for 8 years in local government and was involved in the formation of a Community Forest License in Nootka Sound. He sat on the Nootka Resource Board for several years as a municipal representative and was active in the formation of the Zeballos Fish and Wildlife Association.  

Here in the Comox Valley, Bill has been an active member of this community as well. He has been a member of the Comox Valley Naturalists for several years and is active in the birding group. He joined Comox Valley Project Watershed Society as a Director in 2011, and in recent years has taken on the responsibility of Vice-Chair. Bill has been a main force behind all the successes Project Watershed has accomplished since 2011. He is Project Watershed’s representative on the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership and has worked with governments and other local non-profits to address policies and practices concerning the local environment. He has sat on the Estuary Working Group since he began with Project Watershed, helping discuss, inform and coordinate projects in and around the K’ómoks Estuary. 

One of the most notable projects that Bill has been involved with is the Kus-kus-sum project. He was an integral member of the land acquisition negotiating team working with governments at all levels and Interfor Corporation to acquire the site. In addition, Bill and his wife Kathie contributed time and funds to the acquisition process and they continue to do so for the restoration of the site.

Bill is an asset to our community and we are proud to have him as a member of our team at Project Watershed.

Keep up the good work Bill!