History – The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Experience The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary
by Banding Together:
Past. Present. Future.

1865

John (Jack) Miner was born April 10, 1865 in Dover Center, now Westlake, Ohio, USA.

1870s

Deemed "not suited for school,"
Jack attended only three months and spent most of his spare time in the creeks and woods studying habits of wildlife and waterfowl.
The outdoors became his classroom.

1878

Jack moved with family to Gosfield South Township, near Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
at age thirteen.

1880s

Jack Miner became a professional trapper and market hunter to help supplement the family income in the brick and tile manufacturing business.

1900

Forms one of the first Game Protective associations.

1904

Founded the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary for the conservation of migrating Canada geese and wild ducks, founder of the waterfowl refuge management system.

1906

Dubbed
“The Father of Conservation”
by the Minneapolis Journal.

1908

First eleven migrating Canada Geese land, after a four year 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 thirty 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 ducks and goose bands now included a verse of Biblical scripture making the birds "missionaries of the air."

1916

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

1923

First book, entitled
“Jack Miner and 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 nineteen 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 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

In commemoration of the achievements and contributions of Jack Miner,
the Act to create Canada’s National Wildlife Week passed unanimously to be observed the week of Jack Miner’s birth.
Named “one of the fifteen great personages of the world”
by the Book of Knowledge.

1956

Thirty-three official delegates from the United Nations arrange a special flight from New York to the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation
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

Right 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 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.”

2003

The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation donates the original Jack Miner house to the Southwestern Ontario Heritage Village for restoration.

2004

100 Year Anniversary
of the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation.

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.

2012

The new Jack Miner pond development completed and the
Jack Miner house opened to the public.

2013

The viewing platform/gazebo dedicated in October.

2014

A 5 km trail system created on the south side of the property in the Jack Miner woods.

2017

Jasper Hills memorial built adjacent
to the Ty Cobb Field.

2018

Classroom built to host small groups and educational learning.

2019

Laona's pollinator garden started.

2020

Iconic front fence rebuilt and pond dredged and enlarged.

2021

Expansion to the Kennedy Woods Walking Trails.

2022

Heritage Designation
to the Historic House.

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Hours of Operation

Kennedy Woods, Grounds
and Public Viewing Pond:
Every day, sunrise to sunset!

All buildings are CLOSED
for Christmas Holiday
(December 20 – January 4)

Spring/Summer/Fall Hours
(April 7 – December 19)
Jack Miner Learning Centre:
OPEN Everyday, 10AM – 3PM
Jack Miner Museum + Gift Shop:
OPEN Everyday, 10AM – 3PM
Historic House: By Chance or Appointment

Winter Hours (January 5 – April 5)
Jack Miner Learning Centre:
Tues, Wed, Thurs, 10AM – 3PM
Jack Miner Museum + Gift Shop:
By chance or by appointment

Contact Us

Address:
332/360 Road 3 West
Kingsville, ON,
Canada N9Y 2E5

Phone:
(519) 733-4034

Email:
questions@jackminer.com

CURRICULUM-BASED FIELD TRIPS
For inquiries, bookings, and more information, email: molewski@jackminer.com

BOOK A TOUR
Please call (519) 733-4034
or email questions@jackminer.com

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Experience The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary by Banding Together: Past. Present. Future.