Contributions to the tribute of James Gordon Nelson

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Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Gordon was the most passionate advocate for parks and protected areas and all forms of cultural and natural heritage you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. Many of us at the University of Waterloo and beyond have carried on his work. It is no exaggeration to say he was one of the major founders of research on protected areas in Canada. Condolences to his family.

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Linda Elliott donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Honoring Uncle Gordon's life-long work protecting nature and our fragile environment. He was loved, admired, and will be deeply missed.

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Penny Preis donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Thursday, June 6, 2024

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Kathy Schonenberger donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

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Susan Preston posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Very sorry to hear of Gordon's passing. He was indeed a giant in his field, with such dedication and energy. He took me on as a new PhD student after his official retirement, and there were several others at the same time. I learned a lot from him, and very much appreciated his thoughtfulness and enthusiasm for the ideas that we were all working to advance. He brought people and ideas together to co-create larger visions of the landscapes we inhabit and their importance to us all. Happy trails, Gordon. Condolences to Shirley and family.

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Susan Preston pledged to donate to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY LA SOCIÉTÉ POUR LA NATURE ET LES PARCS DU CANADA

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

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Scott Parker posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Like countless others, Gordon left an indelible mark on my life. His generosity and reservoir of ideas – not just good ones, but ambitious and clever ones - coupled with his collaborative spirit, not only shaped the designs and promises of the parks I’ve worked but also charted the course of my personal career. I am ever grateful for his encouragement and guidance throughout my PhD studies – it was partly his idea that I pursue it. Furthermore, I appreciated watching his skillfulness and keen insights within our little team and Bruce Peninsula community as we worked to create the “Sources of Knowledge” (a term he coined). Gordon leaves behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and will be missed. My deepest condolences extend to Shirley and family.

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Virgil Martin donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Friday, May 24, 2024

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Virgil Martin posted a condolence

Friday, May 24, 2024

Gord Nelson was a great influence on my life, and so many others--always so positive and supportive, even in the face of dire news. In this spirit, he was able to bring people together, from all walks, and from all across the country. And in so doing, he helped to forge the institutional arrangements (I will never hear that term without thinking of Gordon!) that are so essential to the lasting protection of natural areas at every level, from local to international. Professor Nelson was also an excellent teacher. As a student, when I paid him some small compliment along those lines, he responded by saying that he preferred to be thought of as a "learning facilitator". Indeed, that did say it so much better! He will be greatly missed and long remembered! My condolences to Shirley and the family.

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Fred and Janet McCourt donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Thursday, May 23, 2024

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Scott Slocombe posted a condolence

Thursday, May 23, 2024

So sorry to hear this news. Gordon was a tremendous influence on so many, including me, and a great force for conservation in Canada and abroad. Condolences to Shirley and Kathryn and the rest of his family.

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Jari and Morris Tchir pledged to donate to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY LA SOCIÉTÉ POUR LA NATURE ET LES PARCS DU CANADA

Thursday, May 23, 2024

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Stephen Woodley posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Gordon was an enormous force in my life and I will miss him dearly. He sought me out, then a field biologist, to be the director of the Heritage Director Centre at Waterloo, an institution he created. The first week there, he sat me down and said that if I did not do my PhD while there, I was an idiot. He was my boss, my mentor and my friend. He had a inquiring mind that relentlessly looked for the social and ecological connections necessary to use protected areas to conserve nature. Gordon was fearless, virtually single handedly stopping major developments in Banff. He leaves a legacy of books, papers and trained graduate students who carry on his conservation work. Great job Gordon.

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Paul Smith posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Sad to hear of Gordon's passing. He was a great mentor to me and many others at University of Waterloo. I learned so much from Gordon, he changed my way of looking at many things. Gordon had a big impact on so many people through his work. His influence was significant. It was his intellect of course, but also his human touch. He was always supportive of students. Condolences to Shirley and the family. Paul Smith

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Brad Fauteux posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Such a pleasure to have known and worked with Gordon during his time on the Ontario Parks Board. He was a passionate and stubborn advocate for Parks and Protected Areas and pushed me to be a better public servant and a better person. Grateful to have known and worked with him. Brad Fauteux former Managing Director, Ontario Parks, 2012-2015

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Sue Heffernan posted a condolence

Sunday, May 19, 2024

I was very lucky to have Gordon Nelson as my Masters thesis supervisor in the '70's. I particularly recall how Gordon could read landscapes and how he could interpret the interaction between human and natural forces. His knowledge and guidance were terrific. Not only was he knowledgeable but he was inspiring to all of his grad students. As graduate students know (and never forget), doing fieldwork and writing can be a daunting experience and it certainly helps when your supervisor is also your coach, encouraging you to persevere. To Shirley and family, please accept my sincere condolences. Sue Heffernan

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Sandra Swann donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Sunday, May 19, 2024

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Catherine Beck donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Gordon acted as my U. Waterloo doctoral supervisor, 1998 - 2002. I was in my 40s. J G Nelson had a strong personality and a huge reputation in the field of natural and cultural conservation. Only Gordon would have encouraged me to do field research about how groups like the Oneida cleverly managed to preserve very ancient sacred sites despite the onslaught of the land development juggernaut in Southern Ontario. So wonderful to find they did. Thanks, Gordon. Thanks for the work with CPAWS, Parks Canada, and Heritage Rivers, too.

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James Gardner donated to CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada

Saturday, May 18, 2024

I have known Gordon for 63 years throughout which he has been a mentor, inspiration and kind friend to me. Many thanks Gordon, you have lived a great life. Many thanks to Shirley as well. Sincere condolences to all the family.

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The family of James Gordon Nelson uploaded a photo

Friday, May 17, 2024

James Gordon Nelson

1932 - 2024