Extract from the presentation of the award at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Ontario Professional Foresters meeting in Huntsville in April 2007.

John graduated in 1973 from Lakehead University and became an active and iconoclastic Unit Forester in Dryden. From there he moved to Thunder Bay and then in 1978 opted for a secondment with the Canadian International Development Agency in Guyana for two years. On his return, he left the ‘field’ and went to Head Office at Queen’s Park. He worked there for the next sixteen years mainly in the development of forest policy and legislation.

This was interrupted by his participation in the Environmental Assessment Hearings on forest management from 1988 to 1991. John then participated in establishing the Crown Forest Sustainability Act in 1994 and assisted in the development of a new licencing system which included the creation of Trust Funds to guarantee that costs of renewal of the harvested areas were met. He spent his last years in government advising Cabinet Office, Management Board, Ministers and Deputy Ministers on forest policy and current issues of the day.

After leaving government in 1998, he began another career as a consultant, volunteer leader and independent auditor in forestry. His service with Ontario Forestry Association as a Director culminated in a successful effort to maintain a tax incentive program for private forest landowners.

John became a Councillor in the Ontario Professional Foresters Association in 1999 and then went on to serve as President in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he became President of the Trees Ontario Foundation and continues to lead the Foundation on to great success. He has participated and led fifteen Independent Forest Audits across Ontario and always arrives at balanced and fair outcomes.

A quote from a colleague sums up how John’s contribution has mattered. “What is of greater importance is the vigour, imagination and innovation he has brought to bear on the tasks he has taken on in his work in professional forestry. What is more, he has done this with humour and an understanding that is rare in any professional. He has never hesitated to shoulder responsibilities that, in my experience, most others would shun. He not only accepts challenges but in my experience revels in them. During his career in the Ministry of Natural Resources there were many occasions I relied on John for professional advice which always demonstrated knowledge and competence that was outstanding.”

In summary, for over three decades John has been contributing to the improvement of Ontario’s forest environment. Today he continues with his quest to make Ontario a better place for people and for the multitude of plant and animal species of the forest. He is worthy of this nomination and we believe is an excellent choice for the Honoured Professional Award from the Association, which he has so faithfully served.

On February 10th 2007, John Cary was honoured at the Ontario Forestry Association Conference as one of the 2006 Forest Stewardship Award winners. John has had a long and distinguished career in forestry in Ontario. He has worked at senior levels in government and industry and with forestry associations. He also has made an outstanding contribution to forest stewardship as a volunteer.

As a past director of the Ontario Forestry Association, John donated considerable time and expertise to supporting privately owned forests. For example, every woodlot owner in the province can benefit from John’s recent and successful advocacy efforts to convince the Ontario government to continue to support the stewardship of privately owned forests through fair property taxation.

As President of the Trees Ontario Foundation, John has promoted tree planting initiatives throughout the province and has helped hundreds of landowners to achieve their stewardship goals.

John has also served as volunteer President of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association, where he played a key role in moving the profession to self-regulation.

These are just a few examples of John’s achievements. Throughout his career in forestry and his dedication to the volunteer sector, he has reflected a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation. We’ve all benefited from his positive influence.