Edmund Zavitz

Edmund John Zavitz (born July 9, 1875, Ridgeway, Ontario – died December 30, 1968, Brampton, Ontario) is known as the father of reforestation in Ontario.[1]

Edmund Zavitz
Born(1875-07-09)July 9, 1875
Ridgeway, Ontario
DiedDecember 30, 1968(1968-12-30) (aged 93)
Brampton, Ontario
NationalityCanadian
EducationMaster of Science in Forestry
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
OccupationConservationist
Known forKnown as the father of reforestation in Ontario

In his early years, he worked as a general labourer. He later completed his Bachelor of Arts at McMaster University in 1903. It is there that he gained an interest in conservation and reforestation. After studying forestry for a year at Yale University, he graduated from the University of Michigan with the degree of Master of Science in Forestry in 1905. He was then appointed lecturer at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph.[1] In 1912, he took a position at the Ontario Ministry of Lands, Forests and Mines as the first provincial forester. In 1924 he rose to the position of Deputy Minister and in 1935 was appointed Chief of Reforestation. He is the author of many landmark reports and handbooks on reforestation. The Forest Fires Prevention Act and the establishment of the provincial air service are attributed to him. A highlight of his noteworthy career was the establishment of the St. Williams tree nursery in 1908, the first of its kind in Ontario. It is there that a plaque commemorating his contributions was placed in 1957.

Key publications
  • Report on the Reforestation of Wastelands in Southern Ontario, 1909
  • Hardwood Trees of Ontario, 1959[2]
  • E.J. Zavitz Recollections, 1875-1964, a publication of the Department of Lands and Forest of Ontario
  • Fifty Years of Reforestation in Ontario, 1961[3]

References
  1. John Bacher (2011). Two Billion Trees and Counting: The Legacy of Edmund Zavitz. Dundurn Press. ISBN 9781459701137. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  2. Zavitz, E. J. (1959). Hardwood Trees of Ontario: With Bark Characteristics. B. Johnston, printer to the Queen. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  3. Edmund John Zavitz (1959). Fifty Years of Reforestation in Ontario. Ontario Department of Lands and Forests. Retrieved 2018-12-13.


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