Canada History Week 2020: Environmental History Learning Tool

EDUCATION, CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION

THE QUIET CRUSADER AND THE HEROES OF HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

James Bernard Harkin – a little-known, hard-working civil servant who deserves recognition as the father of our National Historic Sites and parks. But it also takes volunteers with a passion for preservation to ensure that historically significant places don’t get demolished, paved over, or otherwise erased.

J.B. Harkin in 1937, as photographed by Yousuf Karsh. Library and Archives Canada R613-668-8-E.

ANAHAREO

Anahareo spent her life advocating for the natural world. She was a conservationist, a prospector, and an animal welfare advocate. Anahareo is also credited with converting her well-known husband, Grey Owl, into a conservationist.

Anahareo at age 19. Source: Wikipedia.

FERDINAND LAROSE

Throughout his career, Ferdinand Larose focused on agriculture in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell in Eastern Ontario. He is best known for having created the vast Larose Forest in a part of the counties which had become arid after intensive deforestation in the 19th century. He was also a leader for Franco-Ontarian cultivators and promoted agricultural training for Franco Ontarians.

Ferdinand Larose. Photo courtesy of United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

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