Mark Corio named the 2007 Youth Conservationist of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri

Published April 2008
Story Source: Christine Tew

Mark Corio, shown far right, discusses conservation issues.

Mark Corio was just taking advice from his high school guidance counselor when he applied to the Conservation Leadership Corps in 2003. That was the first time the counselor, Danny Bequette, had singled him out, Corio said.

Corio is now a member of both the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) and the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). He serves as a director-at-large on the CFM Board of Directors; the youngest individual to receive a presidential appointment to the Board.

He was also named the 2007 Youth Conservationist of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He was recognized during a Feb. 22 ceremony at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Corio committed to a lifetime membership to the CFM August 2006 and has volunteered countless hours to the future of natural resources in Missouri and throughout the U.S.

"In 2006, I helped write the piece of legislation that halted the selloff of 300,000 acres of National Forest land," he said. "28,500 of those acres were in Missouri."

In March 2007, he shared his perspective on youth in conservation activities with a national audience.

"I traveled with some other members of CFM and CLC to the National Wildlife Federation Convention in Washington D.C.," he said. "There, I was one of the keynote speakers for their leadership luncheon."

Fellow Conservation Leadership Corps member Mike Baker recognized Corio's accomplishments with the nomination for the CFM award.

"Nobody cares about the future of our environment more than Mark," Baker said. "He's a true leader in conservation and will make the best decisions to benefit all parties involved."

Baker attributes his positive experiences with the CLC to Corio's leadership. Corio encouraged him to become a member, he said.

"He impressed me when an argument was placed on the floor at CLC that no one was supporting," Baker said. "Mark believed in the issue and stood up in front of everybody and pled his case. In the end the resolution passed. It is currently being discussed on the state level."

The CFM Youth Conservationist of the Year award is open to any resident of Missouri under age 21. Individuals or groups that have demonstrated leadership, ability and accomplishment in conservation may be recognized, according to CFM bylaws.

Corio is the son of Joe and Denise Corio of Clarksburg, Maryland. He is a junior in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at the University of Missouri, and a 2005 graduate of Grand View High School in Hillsboro, Missouri.

The Youth Conservationist of the Year award was one of 13 presented during the Conservation Federation of Missouri ceremony. Former University of Missouri School of Natural Resources Students Justyn Foth and Tiffanie Hamilton were also recognized. They received 2007 Student Conservation Achievement awards.