Junior Forest Wardens
Encyclopedia
The Junior Forest Wardens (JFW) is a Canadian organization with an unusual history. The organization is almost a hundred years old. It began in the 1920's, when a group of boys reported a forest fire to a local forest ranger in the province of British Columbia
. In the publicity that followed this incident, boys across the province wrote to find out what they could do to help in similar ways. As a result of this, Charles Wilkinson
, a member of the Canadian Forestry Association in the region, formed the Junior Fire Warden program as a vehicle for teaching boys about forest protection.
By 1930, more than 300 boys from across British Columbia had joined. In 1931, a tree was planted in Stanley Park
, Vancouver, with soil collected by Wardens from across the province. The tree still stands today, as a symbol of the movement.
In 1932, the name of the organization was changed to the name it bears today. The first Chief Warden was appointed by Vancouver
Mayor W.H. Malkin in a ceremony in Vancouver at the time of the renaming. The program already included the earning of bronze badges in these early days.
In 1934, the "red shirt" uniform still worn by members today was created. In addition, the boys and their organizers spontaneously formed into regional "clubs", beginning in the Vancouver area and spreading across the province.
By 1942, Charles Wilkinson offered the job of Chief Warden to Bill Myring, who toured the province to lecture on conservation and help consolidate the organizing of local JFW clubs.
A sister organization for girls was organize in 1944 under the name "Girl Forest Guards". The two organizations were distinct until they were merged under the common banner of the Junior Forest Wardens in 1974.
In 1961, the activities of the Junior Forest Wardens in the province of British Columbia came to the attention of the Honorable Norman Willmore
, a cabinet minister in the government for the province of Alberta
. Impressed by the quality and range of their activities, Willmore sought to create an Alberta Charter for the Junior Forest Wardens, which was officially inaugurated in February 1962. Bill Myring, then Chief Warden of British Columbia, was then appointed Chief Warden of Canada, a position he retained until his death in 1989. Ken Kelsey held this position from 1990 to 2000, followed by Dave Cullen.
initiatives with a uniquely Canadian flavor.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. In the publicity that followed this incident, boys across the province wrote to find out what they could do to help in similar ways. As a result of this, Charles Wilkinson
Charles Wilkinson
Charles Anderson Wilkinson CBE was a New Zealand Reform Party, then Independent Member of Parliament for Egmont, in the North Island.-Member of Parliament:...
, a member of the Canadian Forestry Association in the region, formed the Junior Fire Warden program as a vehicle for teaching boys about forest protection.
By 1930, more than 300 boys from across British Columbia had joined. In 1931, a tree was planted in Stanley Park
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was opened in 1888 by David Oppenheimer in the name of Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada....
, Vancouver, with soil collected by Wardens from across the province. The tree still stands today, as a symbol of the movement.
In 1932, the name of the organization was changed to the name it bears today. The first Chief Warden was appointed by Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
Mayor W.H. Malkin in a ceremony in Vancouver at the time of the renaming. The program already included the earning of bronze badges in these early days.
In 1934, the "red shirt" uniform still worn by members today was created. In addition, the boys and their organizers spontaneously formed into regional "clubs", beginning in the Vancouver area and spreading across the province.
By 1942, Charles Wilkinson offered the job of Chief Warden to Bill Myring, who toured the province to lecture on conservation and help consolidate the organizing of local JFW clubs.
A sister organization for girls was organize in 1944 under the name "Girl Forest Guards". The two organizations were distinct until they were merged under the common banner of the Junior Forest Wardens in 1974.
In 1961, the activities of the Junior Forest Wardens in the province of British Columbia came to the attention of the Honorable Norman Willmore
Norman Willmore
Norman Alfred Willmore was a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1944 until his death in 1965 sitting with the Social Credit caucus in government...
, a cabinet minister in the government for the province of Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. Impressed by the quality and range of their activities, Willmore sought to create an Alberta Charter for the Junior Forest Wardens, which was officially inaugurated in February 1962. Bill Myring, then Chief Warden of British Columbia, was then appointed Chief Warden of Canada, a position he retained until his death in 1989. Ken Kelsey held this position from 1990 to 2000, followed by Dave Cullen.
Current organization
The organization continues to this day, and has chapters all across the country. Many of today's employees in the forestry service in Canada, whether government or industry, received their first training in the Junior Forest Warden program. Although there is a dearth of documented material describing the history of the organization, participation is widely cited and respected within Canadian circles. Since 1985, the program has been expanded to provide additional opportunities for training in Forestry, Ecology, Leadership and Outdoor Skills. It offers an interesting alternative to the Scouts or Girl GuidesGirl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
initiatives with a uniquely Canadian flavor.