Surrounded by mementos of a life spent exploring the great wide world, and with sweeping views over the Columbia Wetlands outside her windows, Baiba Morrow was recognized recently for a lifetime of environmental stewardship and conservation leadership.
Friends and fellow advocates, many connected through decades of shared conservation work, filled Pat and Baiba Morrow’s living room this June to celebrate Morrow as the recipient of the 2026 Ellen Zimmerman Award.
If you’re lucky enough to know her, the honour comes as little surprise.
Presented annually by Wildsight, the Ellen Zimmerman Award recognizes a woman who has made outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and education in the Upper Columbia Basin. The award honours the legacy of the late Ellen Zimmerman, a tireless advocate for the Columbia Wetlands, women’s rights and future generations.
“There could be no better recipient than Baiba,” Wildsight Executive Director Robyn Duncan told those gathered to celebrate.
Duncan noted that Morrow’s environmental advocacy began long before she and Pat moved to the Columbia Valley nearly 20 years ago, with conservation efforts in B.C.’s Stein River Valley and Alberta’s Bow Valley. Shortly after moving to Wilmer, a small, close-knit community just north of Invermere, she spent 12 years as president of Wildsight Invermere. Notable amongst her countless achievements, Morrow helped spearhead the Wild & Scenic Film Festival (the branch’s biggest annual fundraiser, now in its 13th year), supported the restoration of an abused local recreational lake, as well as quietly recruited an entire new generation of volunteers. She also served on Wildsight’s regional board for multiple years.
Duncan described Morrow’s “big tent” approach, bringing people together through shared values, welcoming newcomers and encouraging everyone to contribute in whatever way they can.
“We are all very much richer for having you here, as part of the Wildsight community, and as an advocate and defender of this incredible place,” Duncan said.
Current Wildsight Invermere President Tracy Flynn laughed as she recalled becoming one of Morrow’s recruits.
“I’m one of the people Baiba brought in about five or six years ago,” Flynn said. “She kind of commandeered me and said, ‘Hey, you should be part of Wildsight.’”
Flynn added that the organization continues to benefit from her mentorship, institutional knowledge and ability to spot future volunteers.
“Thanks, Baiba,” Flynn said. “You continue to bring people in. We wouldn’t survive without Baiba’s influence.”
For Morrow, building community has long been as important as protecting landscapes.
When she stepped down as Wildsight Invermere president in 2023, Morrow reflected that years of travelling and documenting mountain cultures around the world had only deepened her appreciation for the place she now calls home.
“I feel a very, very strong connection to this place,” she said at the time. “Having travelled for so many years… knowing the value of that connection to place… it puts this area into perspective, how precious it is.”
She also described leadership as working alongside people.
“I feel like we’re a team, and you just do what you have to do,” she said. One of her goals, she explained then, was to “create a footprint where it makes it easier for the next person.”
That philosophy was evident in Morrow’s acceptance speech. Instead of reflecting on her own accomplishments, she turned the spotlight back to the roomful of people gathered who helped build and sustain Wildsight Invermere, from founding members and longtime volunteers to current board members, monthly donors and supporters who continue to carry the work forward.
“The roots go deep. That’s what we rely on,” she said, adding that while she was deeply honoured with the award, “I’m surrounded by people who are doers. Who are part of the community. Who are passionate. It’s humbling, really. We all do our part.”
She ended by turning attention away from the room and sweeping her hand toward the sparkling waters of the Columbia Wetlands outside.
“And of course there’s this place,” she said. “It keeps us going. It reminds us of what we have and what needs to be protected.”
Those who nominated her for the award described a calm, steady approach to leadership.
“Baiba is one of those quiet people who just gets the job done,” wrote friend Joan Gallaway in her nomination. “She has been a champion for environmental and conservation initiatives all her life and will continue as such in the future. The world needs more Baiba.”
