Founding Facts

Canadian Forestry Association of Ontario was granted Letters Patent by the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario on November 3, 1949. Objectives of the program were the same as those of the Canadian Forestry Association and included 16 items dealing with everything from public education to forest research. CFAO became the Ontario Forestry Association in 1958 and reduced its objectives to a variation of objective 1 of the CFA:

To promote sound land use and the full development, protection and utilization of Ontario's forest resources for maximum public advantage.

Founding President of the Association was J.W.B. Sisam, Dean, Faculty of Forestry. Directors came from a wide cross section of interests including forest industries, retail lumber outlets, mining, anglers and hunters, naturalists, professional foresters, education, public relations and others.

The Association's first employee was the Secretary-Manager, W.S. MacDonnell. Offices were located in the Oddfellows Building at 229 College Street, Toronto. Two foresters and two secretaries were soon added to the staff. Membership and fund-raising activities included direct mail campaigns and the sale of clocks, lamps, and other items featuring conservation messages.

OFA's History - Through the Decades

The Forties

1948 Inaugural meetings held to launch the Canadian Forestry Association of Ontario.

1949 Letters Patent issued by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on November 3rd, 1949. W.S. MacDonnell named Secretary-Treasurer and office space secured.


The Fifties

1950 Brief submitted to the Ontario government's Select Committee on Conservation. Conservation 'lecture tours' made across Ontario with foresters G. Kaye and D. Wyllie.

1951 Conservation Film Library established, making films available free on loan.

1952 CFAO assisted in formation of the Conservation Council of Ontario. Two foresters replaced by two new recent graduates - J. Coats and M. Dixon.

1953 Canadian Tree Farm Movement established by Canadian Forestry Association and launched in Ontario with 'certification' of a private and an industrial tree farm.

1954 CFAO organized a tour of the Conservation Railway Car donated by C P Rail to CFA. It featured forestry films and lectures and was spotted at sidings by all the railways. Premier Leslie Frost received a 3 foot high Forest Conservation Totem Pole on the car in Toronto.

1955 A Council, to provide an opportunity for more people to serve and be identified with the Association, was created.

1956 Smokey Bear was adopted as the official forest fire prevention symbol of the Association. Boy Scout Award Outings began with selected Scouts touring forest industry operations. A brief on The Effects of Forest Cover on Water Supply was presented to the newly formed Ontario Water Resources Commission at a public hearing in Woodstock.

1957 A brief was presented to the Senate Land Use Committee. J. Coats was appointed Secretary-Manager.

1958 CFAO changed its name to Ontario Forestry Association. Participation began in the Dryden High School Conservation Course, sponsored by Dryden Paper Company. Project One: Conservation Education was carried out in northwestern Ontario

1959 CFA restructured into a federation of provincial forestry associations including OFA. The Eastern Ontario Branch of Ontario Forestry Association was formed. The Ontario Tree Farmer publication launched by OFA. A series of Smokey Theatre Parties was held with the first in Pembroke.


The Sixties

1960 W.K. Fullerton hired to develop a youth program. A Conservation Knowledge Survey was undertaken. A Teachers' Workshop was held on Manitoulin Island.

1961 Target: Forests Forever, an intensive forest fire prevention program, held at the Lakehead. Espanola Conservation School, sponsored by KVP Company, was launched.

1962 Resource Rangers, a program for boys 10-18, began with the first of 17 clubs, in Oakville. Litter-Pickin' Pete, OFA's good outdoor manners symbol, was created by artist Don Inman. OFA's '3 trees' logo, designed by Milton Stevenson of the OFA staff, was modified slightly by a professional designer and approved by OFA directors. OFA's newsletter commenced.

1963 First Resource Rangers camp was held at Balsam Lake. Forest Fire Prevention Awareness Survey was undertaken.

1964 Interprovincial Travel Program, sponsored by CFA for provincial association youth programs, began. Marathon Conservation School, patterned on Dryden program, initiated. Ontario entry won national forest fire prevention competition of CFA. Resource Rangers Camp held at Albion Hills Field Centre with A.G. 'Tim' Nelson, Chief Resource Ranger on OFA staff, in charge.

1965 Brief submitted to Ontario's Select Committee on Youth. Arbor Day celebration held at Queen's Park. Billboard posters produced from poster competition winning entry.

1966 Matheson forest fire commemorative program held at Matheson. OFA won Francis H. Kortright Award for pollution control activities. Worked for the passage of the Woodlands Improvement Act.

1967 Resource Rangers film completed. Launched Honour Roll of Ontario Trees. Resource Rangers went to Expo '67 in Montreal.

1968 Six Litter-Pickin' Pete spot announcements put out on a transcription to radio stations. Assisted development of Dept. of Education Environmental Science Course for schools. Sponsored 14th annual Tree Bee Competition. Pine to Prairie Tour for 29 Resource Rangers. Secured land for Forest Resources Study Centre at Bracebridge.

1969 Sponsored 10 evening lecture series course at University of Toronto on Natural Resources Management. Ontario Tree Farmer Publication becomes Ontario FORESTS. Resource Rangers tour northern Ontario and Quebec.


The Seventies

1970 OFA members' meeting held in Thunder Bay in May. Sponsored a course for outdoor educators on "Learning Outdoors about Natural Resources". Co-sponsored Audubon Film nights at Eaton auditorium. Assisted with the international annual meeting of the Soil Conservation Society.

1971 Forest fire prevention lectures at Sir Sandford Fleming College and University of Toronto. OFA began selling forest fire prevention items as a source of revenue. Forest section produced for Outdoor Education Manual of Ontario Teachers Federation. Urban Forestry Course offered at Extension Division, University of Toronto. Land Use Brief to Quetico Advisory Committee. Wally Zaremsky, Thunder Bay, named OFA Regional Representative. Oxford Men of the Trees and OFA combined on a lecture tour in Oxford Country schools. OFA meetings held in Bracebridge and Ottawa.

1972 OFA offices moved from 229 College St., Toronto, to 150 Consumers Rd., North York. Brief to government of "The Assessment of Forest Lands and Lake Superior Provincial Park". Forestry Course at University of Guelph conducted by OFA staff. OFA's David Allen assisted launching of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario. The 'tree identification wheel', an OFA tree identification device, was introduced.

1973 Petawawa Project undertaken with OFA staff contributing to plan for and staffing of the Petawawa National Forestry Institute's Visitor Centre. Brief submitted to the Man and Resources Conference, of the Farm Classification Advisory Committee. First Honour Roll of Ontario Trees listing was published. OFA Collection of Forest Art announced. OFA staff received awards from the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association and the Canadian Lumbermen's Association.

1974 OFA's Silver Jubilee Annual meeting held at Ontario Science Centre. OFA established a Rare Book Collection Committee to assist in the collection of rare books at the Faculty of Forestry University of Toronto library. Worked towards the Managed Forest Tax Reduction Program. Submitted a brief to the Minister of Natural Resources on Land Use Planning.

1975 Undertook a study of OFA Operations and Procedures. Submitted several briefs on land use planning issues. Conducted a northern Ontario promotion tour.

1976 Upgraded Ontario FORESTS magazine. Provided witnesses on tree farm court cases involving property and income assessments. Walk in the Forest program in Toronto's Sherwood Forest was initiated. Woodlot Management Courses held at University of Toronto and Royal Botanical Gardens.

1977 Walk in the Forest program at High Park, Toronto, undertaken. Manager given 6 week tour of Scandinavian forestry to mark 25th year of service. Ontario Forestry Hall of Fame launched

1978 Smokey Bear Reading Club used in promoting forest fire prevention by libraries. 'Forest Fires and You' publication was produced by Grace Gunn of OFA staff. Albert Butwick, compiler of the Honour Roll of Ontario Trees, received the Federation of Naturalists' Conservation Award. Brief was submitted to the Commission of the Northern Environment. A Bibliography on Woodlot Management was prepared by Robert Pehlke of OFA. Memorial Fund commenced with funding in memory of J.C. Jackson.

1979 Two Smokey Bear costumes acquired. Echo-Logical Theatre performed The Tree Musketeers 50 times to over 8,000 attendees. OFA's Forest Forum (alias the Uffington Chowder Club) met on several occasions. Forestry Reading Room set up at OFA office.


The Eighties

1980 ForesTravel '80 sent 7 OFA members on a forest tour in Germany and Switzerland. Smokey Bear Reading Clubs were active in 124 libraries. Brief submitted to Hughes Task Force on 'Forest Fire Management'. 'Forest Games & Activities' publication prepared by Laura Fasick. Position paper on Land Use presented at Guelph Land Use Planning Conference. Walnut Seminar held for 120 in London in August.

1981 25th annual Dryden High School Conservation Course. Submission made to the Armson Private Forest Land Review Committee. 142 Smokey Reading Clubs in Ontario libraries this summer. OFA involved in Ontario Hydro right of way (Sudbury to London) hearings. OFA President appointed to Guelph Arboretum directorate.

1982 Simcoe County proclaimed the Forestry Capital of Canada by CFA. OFA plaque commemorating 75th anniversary of Faculty of Forestry at University of Toronto was unveiled. Forest History Colloquium was started in association with Paul Aird and the Faculty of Forestry. Briefs submitted on Wetlands, Conservation Authorities, Land Use. OFA Statement on Acid Precipitation prepared by Dr. Ian Morrison. Eastern White Pine selected by Ontario Tree Council as tree favoured for recognition as Provincial Tree. Appointment of Committee to address the Ontario Government's Green Paper, "Private Forest Lands - A Public Resource"

1983 Membership climbed to 1478. Smokey Bear and OFA manager on Romper Room, a CTV children's program. OFA gets contract to place 'unemployed' in forest management activities with MNR 'Class Environmental Assessment of Forest Management on Crown Lands' was title of a submission to MNR by J.R.M. Williams for OFA. 'A Manual for Ontario Secondary School Teachers' by G.R. Morrison was created.

1984 Celebration of Smokey Bear's 40th anniversary with parities at Queen's Park, etc. CFA's Forest Extension Specialists Seminar held in Alliston with OFA participation. Ottawa Valley was the Forestry Capital of Canada. OFA's Sylvan Theatre group, The Forest People Players, presented May the Forest Be With You to over 6500 at 65 locations. White Pine proclaimed as Ontario's Arboreal Emblem by Lt. Governor in May.

1985 Visits were made to Hon. Michael Harris and Hon. Vincent Kerrio, successive Ministers of Natural Resources. A compendium of research on WHITE PINE was produced by Shawn Kelleher. FORESTRIDE, a Toronto forestry tour guide, was prepared by Tom Donaghy. Arbor Day in the Month of May was proposed as the suitable dates for it.

1986 Participation in Silvilog at Petawawa Co-sponsored Forestry in Ontario Schools - a two day teachers' workshop at Kortright Centre, Woodbridge. FORESTRIDE, a cycling tour of the Humber Valley, prepared by Wendy Walker. A Forestry Ready List was produced by Janice Hugh-Sam. Focus on Forests was the name of a teaching unit on Tree Identification prepared by Richard Davis of OFA. OFA's Ontario Forestry Award introduced and presented to Walter Plonski.

1987 Smokey & the Pros celebrated with Toronto Blue Jays Comment on the National Forest Sector Strategy for Canada. 10th annual Tree Tour run in the Niagara region. Speakers Bureau slide show assembled by Eileen O'Neil. Woodsy Owl adopted by OFA as anti-litter symbol.

1988 Canada/Ontario Forest Resources Development Agreement (COFRDA) funded National Forest Week activities. Boise Cascade Canada Ltd. sponsored a school program in OFA's name. OFA provided a prize for the wood carvers competition at the CNE. OFA represented a Focus on Forests Steering Committee. FORESTRIDE developed for the Don Valley in Toronto. Maple Research Compendium developed.

1989 OFA took part in Wildlife Strategy for Ontario. Worked on Environmental Assessment submission. Placed new emphasis on "The Forest People" identification of OFA. Worked on a major forest congress. Canadian Tire Corporation ran a fire message on hundreds of thousands of bags. Set up a Volunteer Fire Department Competition in Muskoka/Parry Sound. Three tree farm field meetings held. Participation in formation of Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners.


The Nineties

1990 Trees Ontario launched in May. Susan Wiecek Memorial Fund started. Participated in CFA's Envirofor conference in Toronto. Think-tank held by directors at Nottawasaga Inn in November. Marshall Karn developed CP Rail fire prevention program. Smokey on a two week tour of southern Ontario media. Woodlot seminar held with Soil Conservation Society. Presentation to Ontario Curriculum Development Association.

1991 Survey of membership undertaken. Response to report on the Trees Act. Restructuring study of OFA to provide for regional organization.

1992 Launch of Project Tree Cover. Forest Fire Hazard Inspection program launched in Muskoka area. Operation Tree Plant run by OFA as educational program with MNR. Agreement signed with US Forest Service re use of Woodsy Owl. New membership folder developed plus folder on Trees Ontario. Participated in developing an Ontario response to the National Forest Strategy.

1993 Computerized membership profile developed. Smokey took part in the summer program of Toronto Healthy City. Fire Committee developed and Board approved a five year strategy. Survey of woodlot owners initiated regarding loss of the Managed Forest Tax Reduction. Presentations made to the Fair Tax Commission. Silvilog included an OFA tent spearheaded by John Iverson plus two other exhibits. Signed a Publications Agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

1994 Smokey celebrates 50th Anniversary. OFA sponsors Envirothon. Regional Volunteer Network initiated - 4 Regional meetings held. Woodlot tour in Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve. Trees Ontario Foundation established. Hospital visits by Smokey initiated.

1995 Ontario Envirothon pilot successful - Ontario team competes in U.S Envirothon Championships. Master Woodland Owner concept developed. Managed Forest Tax Rebate re-instated. Fall Regional meetings established. Tax Tour and Forest Taxation Alliance established.

1996 First Provincial Ontario Envirothon Championship held. Consultant Registry established. Ontario Forestry Association administers Plan Review component of Managed Forest Tax Rebate Program. Private Land Reforestation Alliance established.

1997 OFA begins administration of Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program. OFA acquires lead sponsor for Ontario Envirothon. Forest Products Marketing Bulletin initiated. OFA takes on Focus on Forests Program. Two Community Woodland Steward workshops held. 1st Endangered Species Workshop held. OFA takes on new Focus on Fire Program.

1998 Membership tops 1200. OFA launches Forestry Services Directory Project. OFA lobbies OMNR for financial assistance for Eastern Ontario woodlot owners impacted by 1998 ice storm. Directory of Services launched. OFA and friends attend reception with Lieutenant Govenor and donate Christmas tree to Queens Park.

1999 Ontario Envirothon receives funding from Trillium Foundation. OFA begins Woodlot Tours across Southern Ontario. OFA redesigns its newsletter to be fresh, exciting and even more informative. OFA remains a big presence at community events and shows. OFA continues the tradition of giving a Christmas to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The 21st Century

2007 Focus on Forests website launched offering Free educational resources for educators across the province. OFA celebrates the University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry's Centennial Celebration by donating a a plaque that stands in the main floor hallway. Ontario Envirothon launches new website.

2009 The OFA celebrates its 60th year, including our annual AGM and Conference focused on 'The Value of our Forest'. Focus on Forests website updated to include a publicly accessible area that houses additional resources for the public.

2010 OFA Annual Conference and AGM brings in some key-note speakers to discuss the concept of Ecological Goods and Services. The Ontario Envirothon Champions come in 7th at the Canon Envirothon in Fresno, California.