Jack Miner Foundation

Event

1865

Born April 10th, in Dover Center (Now Westlake) Ohio, USA.

1870s

Not suited for school, attending only 3 months. Spent most of his spare time in the creeks and woods studying habits of wildlife, the outdoors his classroom.

1878

Moved with family to Gosfield South Township, near Kingsville, On, Canada - Age 13

1880s

Became professional trapper and market hunter to help supplement family income in the brick and tile manufacturing business.

1900

Forms one of the first "Game Protective Associations."

1904

Founded the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary for the conservationof migrating Canada geese and wild ducks, originating the waterfowl refuge management system.

1906

Dubbed "the Father of Conservation" by the Minneapolis Journal.

1908

First 11 migrating Canada Geese land, after 4 years effort.

1909

Pioneered the tagging of migratory waterfowl by banding his first wild duck.

1910

First complete banding record in January when Dr. W. Bray of Anderson, South Carolina returned the band. Started 30 year lecture career speaking on wildlife conservation and the need for the establishment of sanctuaries and wildlife refuges.

1915

Banded his first Canada goose to trace migration habits. All duck and goose bands now included a verse of Biblical scripture making the birds "Missionaries of the air."

1916

Early data from tagging recoveries instrumental in the Migratory Bird Treaty between the U.S. and Canada. This act placed the first restrictions on hunting giving consideration to waterfowl populations for the future.

1923

First book, entitled "Jack Miner & the Birds" is published.

1927

Guest speaker, April 9th at Izaak Walton League's Annual Banquet in Chicago with U.S. President, Herbert Hoover, guest of honour. One of 19 charter members of Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) conceived at that banquet of 1100 guests.

1929

Awarded Outdoor Life Gold Medal "for the greatest achievement in wildlife conservation on the continent." This was the first time the award was presented to a Canadian.

1931

The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation, Inc. created under U.S. philanthropic laws.

1936

The above foundation incorporated in Canada by a special act of the Ontario legislature. Chosen by Prime Minister Mackenzie King to deliver the "around the world radio address" for King George's 25th anniversary as a monarch. Received letters from 65 countries on his address.

1943

Presented with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King George VI "for the greatest achievement in conservation in the British Empire."

1944

November 3rd, Jack Miner's passing. Has banded over 50,000 wild ducks and 40,000 migratory Canada geese. Several U.S. newspapers rated him fifth best known man on the continent after Ford, Edison, Lindbergh and Rickenbacker.

1947

Canada's National Wildlife Week Act passed unanimously to be observed the week of Jack Miner's birth, April 10th each year. This is Jack Miner's everlasting memorial. Named "one of the fifteen great personages of the world" by the Book of Knowledge.

1956

33 Official Delegates from the United Nations arrange a special flight from New York to the Jack Miner Sanctuary in Canada to pay tribute to the late conservationist whose fame had spread to their homelands in the far east.

1969

Jack Miner's autobiography, entitled "Wild Goose Jack" first published.

1977

Rt. Hon. Pierre E. Trudeau in issuing a proclamation for National Wildlife Week said: "Jack Miner, with his vision and determination is largely responsible for those conservation measures in existence today."

1993

The Windsor Star editorially wrote: "The week of April 10th was designated as National Wildlife Week to permanently remind Canadians of a pioneer who changed the attitudes of a continent, against great odds."

1994

50th Anniversary of Jack Miner's passing.

2004

100 Year Anniversary of the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary.

2009

Jack Miner Birthplace Marker (1975) rededicated in Westlake, Ohio.

2010

Jack Miner inducted into 'the legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame' in Nashville, Tennessee.

2011

April 10th, first Jack Miner calling contest on Sanctuary grounds.