Nova Scotia Forestry Hall of Fame

Leif Holt
Inducted (2007)

Born in Russia, Leif began his forestry career in Sweden before moving to Canada. He was a strong proponent of investing in forest management to improve quality and increase yields from forest land and as Woodlands Manager of Bowater Mersey initiated their first silviculture program in the 1970's. Leif's vision resulted in the first use of computers in woodland departments in Nova Scotia. Leif was a strong supporter of various forestry organizations serving as President of the CIF-NS Section and NS Forest Products Assoc. and was a member of the committee to draft provincial legislation for forestry practices. Leif was awarded the Charles Bullard Fellowship to study forestry at Harvard University in 1964.Univ College Sch. Of London, 1936;

Forest Ranger School Norway, 1938;

Forestry College Aas Norway, 1946.

Owen Barr
Inducted (2006)

Owen's forestry career began in 1937 when he was hired to assist with building a fire tower near his home in Barr Settlement. He later became the fire tower operator. In 1940, given his natural ability to fix and maintain equipment, he established a workshop in his home to repair pumps, back tanks and other fire suppression equipment. Between 1940 and 1945, the Department of Lands and Forests relied solely on Owen for his mechanical abilities. In 1948, the Provincial Fire Depot was built in Shubenacadie and Owen was appointed its first Mechanical Superintendent, a position he held until his retirement in 1971. Owen was an integral and indispensable part of the Province's forest fire protection team. As a result of his passion for his work, the Department's ability to fight forest fires expanded greatly under Owen's direction.

Bob Murray
Inducted (2006)

Bob began his 36-year forestry career with the Department of Lands and Forests in 1946 as a district forester. From there he joined Hollingsworth and Whitney, later a subsidiary of Scott Paper Company. In 1959, Bob and his family moved to Truro to assume management of Scott's woodland operations. In 1966, Bob became responsible for establishing a woodlands office and securing a wood supply for the mill. He was appointed Woodlands Manager with Scott Maritimes in 1967, a position he held until his retirement in1981. In 1971, Bob was elected President of the Nova Scotia Forest Products Association. In 1978, he partnered with Hugh Erskine to establish Mactara Ltd. Bob was widely known as a capable and knowledgeable manager who dealt effectively with the challenges that arose during the 1960's and 1970's, a period of rapid growth in the forest sector.BSc (Forestry), UNB, 1941.

Robert Burgess
Inducted (2006)

Graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. His forestry career began overseas during World War II where he worked with the Canadian Forestry Corp. in France, Scotland and Belgium where he set up mills to provide lumber for hospitals and pilings to aid the the military in crossing the Rhine River into Germany. Upon his return, he lectured at the Maritime Forest Ranger, was Chief Forester of Nova Scotia from 1950 to 1965, Director of Forestry and later appointed Deputy Minister in 1969, a position he held until his retirement in 1977. Later he served as members of the environmental control council and is life time member of the surveyors association. An accomplished curler, he won both the Provincial Mens Junior and Senior Championship.

Russell McNally
Inducted (2005)

Graduated from the Maritime Forest Ranger School in 1968. During his 25 year career with the Department of Natural Resources, Russell supervised, implemented and assisted in the planning of forest research programs designed to improve the growth and yield of Nova Scotia's forests. As part of this work he was responsible for developing computer software for yield tables, growth models and timber cruising. Russell was an excellent communicator who had the ability to transfer technical research to the person in the field. He was instrumental in compiling the first Forestry Field Handbook which is now part of the curriculum at the MFRS. Russell was the 1996 recipient of the Graduate Forest Technicians Award, issued by the Council of Eastern Forest Technicians Schools, in recognition of his accomplishments and contribution to the field of forestry and public education

Gary Saunders
Inducted (2005)

Received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick in 1959 and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mt. Allison University in 1965.Originally from Newfoundland, Gary is described as a forester, educator, writer, artist and photographer. In his early career, he taught courses in wood technology and dendrology at Memorial University. During his career with the Department of Natural Resources, he produced a number of publications for woodlot owners and was instrumental in helping to establish the Natural Resources Education Centre in Middle Musquodoboit. Gary has published numerous forestry and nature related books such as The Brook and the Woodcutter, The Man Who Couldn't Stop Sneezing , Trees of Nova Scotia, Alder Muisc: A Celebration of our Environment and Wildlife of Atlantic Canada and much more.

Ed Bailey
Inducted (2005)

Received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick in 1964 and a Master of Science in Forestry in 1969. His career with the Department of Natural Resources began in 1969 with the Canada Land Inventory and the development of a biophysical land classification system for the province. Later he would lead the provincial forest research program that was responsible for the strategic analysis of the Nova Scotia wood supply and the development of criteria and treatments for provincial silviculture programs. Ed was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of New Brunswick for his work in developing growth and yield model for predicting wood supply. He is credited with being the driving force behind expanding the provincial silviculture programs aimed at increasing wood supply and production.