Salmonier Nature Park is proud to be the Provincial sponsor of National Wildlife Week (NWW), in cooperation with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Each year, Salmonier Nature Park coordinates activities to promote the involvement of local organizations in the protection and conservation of our natural resources.

During NWW, you will see exhibits at a local mall in St. John’s, mail-outs to schools and the involvement of environmental, wildlife organizations and the general public. WILD Schools is the educational component of this annual event, and is available to schools throughout the Country.

Background

"National Wildlife Week" was created in the memory of Jack Miner by an Act of Parliament in 1947 to create awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation in Canada.

Who is Jack Miner?

Every year, Canadians go wild on the birthdate of Jack Miner, a well-known wildlife conservationist, who has been heralded as being a key player in saving Canada Geese from extinction. Jack was born on April 10, 1865, in Dover Ohio, and died on November 3, 1944.

Jack had many achievements in his lifetime

             During his lifetime, Jack was responsible for banding geese and waterfowl in order          to track their migration routes. He originally conceived of the idea of banding birds in the state of Ohio, and it was there that he banded the first duck, which was the impetus for bird banding today.

    He established a world famous waterfowl sanctuary in Kingsville, Ontario, in 1904.

    He was nicknamed "The Father of Conservation."

    In 1929, Jack was presented the Outdoor Life Gold Medal for the greatest achievement in wildlife conservation of North America.

    Jack was chosen by Prime Minister Mackenzie King to deliver Around the World Radio Address for King George’s 25^th anniversary as a monarch.

    On June 23, 1943, King George VI of Great Britain bestowed upon the late Jack Miner The Order of the British Empire for the great achievement in Conservation in the British Empire.

    To commemorate his work, the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation was incorporated in the US in 1931 and in Canada in 1936.

    Jack published two books: "Wild Goose Jack: An Autobiography by Jack Miner" and "Memorial Edition, Jack Miner and the Birds" by Jack Miner.

    Many poems and stories have been written as tributes to Jack Miner.

In order to spread the word of the importance of conservation, Jack spent 30 years of his life teaching and speaking on wildlife conservation and the importance of creating sanctuaries and protection for wildlife. In addition to being a heralded conservationist, Jack was a religious man which can be attested to by his bird bands, all of which contained verses from Scripture and which make these bands highly prized by collectors today.

Because of his work with conservation, Jack Miner became a man respected by millions of people. It is, therefore, very fitting that National Wildlife Week should be a celebration of the life of one individual who, because of his love of nature, single-handedly made a very significant contribution to the protection of waterfowl.

"Jack Miner did not seek fame - fame sought him. He belongs not to one generation but to all time. His memory will live as long as men love the glories of Nature." (Tribute by Edgar A. Guest)

When is National Wildlife Week Held?

National Wildlife Week is always held on the week of April 10, which marks the birthday of Jack Miner. 

Special Events:

Each year, Salmonier Nature Park in conjunction with other coordinating agencies (Terra Nova National Park, Provincial Parks, MUN Botanical Gardens, etc.) plans a Wildlife Week exhibit and activities at the Village Mall in St. John's.  Keep your calendar open during the week of April 10 - 16, 2005 for upcoming events.  Next year's theme will be posted to our website early in 2005.

National Wildlife Week 2004:

The theme for National Wildlife Week 2004 is "Give Backyard Birds Something to Sing About." A copy of the National Wildlife Week Kit has been mailed out to each school in the Province. If your school did not receive a copy, please contact the park directly and we will ensure you receive one.

For  information on funding programs for schools to carry out habitat enhancement, visit the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s website at  www.wildeducation.org or contact Salmonier Nature Park  at  229-7888.