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.

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