Trailblazer
Elihu Stewart,
1844–1935
Founding father
Elihu Stewart was a dedicated leader whose true passion was forestry.
He created the Canadian Forestry Association (CFA) in 1900 and served
as its first secretary. More than 100 years later, the CFA,
Canada’s oldest conservation organization, continues to advocate
the protection and wise use of Canada’s forest, water and wildlife
resources.
Just wouldn’t quit
Born in Collingwood, Ontario, in 1844, Elihu began his career as an Ontario
and Dominion Land Surveyor and then worked on surveys for the Dominion
Government in Saskatchewan for 24 years. He was later elected Mayor of
Collingwood at the age of 52. In 1899, at the age of 55, when most people
are contemplating retirement, Elihu accepted a new challenge. The federal
Department of the Interior appointed him the first Chief Inspector of
Timber and Forestry for the Dominion Forestry Branch, now the Canadian
Forest Service (CFS).
Going out on a limb
Elihu summed up the Dominion Forestry Branch’s mandate in two words
— “conservation” and “propagation.” In an
era when Canada’s forest resources appeared limitless, Elihu was
intent on improving forest practices. He focused on firefighting, tree
planting and establishing forest reserves. His perseverance led to a reforestation
program in western Canada — more than 8 million seedlings were planted.
In a 1899 report, Elihu identified human carelessness as the main cause
of forest fires and proposed a firefighting system to protect the woodlands.
He also examined how other major countries in the world were tackling
forest maintenance. Elihu was determined that Canada take an active role
in the scientific management of forests. The Dominion Forest Reserve Act,
passed in 1906, placed some 14,000 square kilometres of forest reserves
under the management and protection of the Forestry Branch.
Friend of the forest
One of Elihu’s greatest strengths was his ability to talk about
forestry issues with Canadians at all levels, increasing awareness of
the need for forest preservation. He was also able to convince those who
influenced government policy of the importance of forestry in Canada.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, then Prime Minister, often consulted with Elihu on
forestry issues.
In 1905, Elihu expressed concern about the lack of forestry schools in
Canada and declared that establishing such institutions would greatly
advance forestry education. Consequently, the University of Toronto offered
the first Canadian forestry course in 1907, and the University of New
Brunswick followed in 1908. Before his retirement in 1907, Elihu had five
graduate foresters on staff and provided employment for at least two forestry
students. His successors in the CFS
have kept his promise to hire graduates of forestry schools.
Down the Mackenzie and Up the Yukon
In 1906, Elihu achieved a lifelong goal by travelling through Canada’s
northwest frontier, from Edmonton to Vancouver, along the Mackenzie River
to the Arctic Circle, into Alaska and back to Canada. Published in 1913,
Down the Mackenzie and Up the Yukon in 1906 describes his experiences
with the Eskimo people and Whalers, the Rat River, the Aboriginal people,
the Athabasca Tar Sands and other expedition discoveries.
Elihu died in 1935.
Life achievements
- 1896 — Elected Mayor of Collingwood, Ontario.
- 1899 — Appointed Chief Inspector of Timber and Forestry, Dominion
Forestry Branch. - 1900 — Founded the Canadian Forestry Association.
- 1906 — The Dominion Forest Reserve Act, developed under Elihu
Stewart’s guidance, was passed. - 1906 — Served on the executive committee of the first Canadian
Forestry Convention. - 1906 — Travelled through Canada’s northwest frontier.
- 1907 — Retired as Superintendent of Forestry.
- 1913 — Published Down the Mackenzie and Up the Yukon in 1906.