Government of Canada recognizes National Historic Significance of field naturalist John Macoun
News release
Macoun’s legacy forms a cornerstone of the National Herbarium of Canada
June 23, 2018 Ottawa, Ontario Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s first Dominion Naturalist John Macoun was a self-taught botanist who rose to the top of his field during 70 years of research. Today the Honourable Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, commemorated the national historic significance of John Macoun. A special plaque was unveiled during a ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
John Macoun was a remarkably thorough and impassioned botanist, personally collecting plants from every part of Canada except the Arctic. As Chief Botanist for the Canadian Pacific Railway, John Macoun joined surveying parties on five separate trips across Western Canada from 1872 to 1881. His plant studies in the Prairies led him to controversially conclude that the semi-arid region known as Palliser’s Triangle could support wheat and ranching, which in part led the government to shift the proposed railway route further south.
Acknowledged as the leading Canadian botanist of his time, Macoun led the development of the natural history collection for what would become the Canadian Museum of Nature, which was largely constructed to house the massive amount of flora and fauna samples he had collected over his career. The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places and events that contributed to our country’s diverse heritage. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,000 designations have been made.The Government of Canada is celebrating families with free admission for youth 17 and under, and free admission for one-year for new Canadian citizens, starting in 2018 and beyond. We invite Canadians to learn more about our history - from lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to Indigenous contributions to Canada, there is an amazing array of places and stories to discover.
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Quotes
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of Canada’s first Dominion Naturalist, John Macoun, whose insatiable passion for plants brought attention to our country’s incredible natural diversity. I encourage all Canadians to learn more about John Macoun and his important role in our country’s history.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Quick facts
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John Macoun was born in Ireland and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1850 during the Great Irish Famine. Initially working as a farmer, a fascination with plants led him to teaching and then formal botany work.
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John Macoun was the first person in Canada to survey, document, and categorize Canadian flora in a systematic manner, producing the four-volume Catalogue of Canadian Plants. He didn’t limit himself to plants, also creating a three-volume Catalogue of Canadian Birds with his son James Melville Macoun.
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National historic designations commemorate all aspects of Canada's history, both positive and negative. Designations can recall moments of greatness and triumph or cause us to contemplate the complex and challenging moments that helped define Canada today. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster better understanding and open discussions on Canada’s history.
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Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
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Contacts
Caroline Thériault
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-3813
caroline.theriault2@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca