Member Spotlight - Elving Josephson

By Brooke McClelland

His boyhood in Thunder Bay taught Elving Josephson to love the outdoors.

Elving Josephson, a Forests Ontario member for more than 15 years, has a love for the outdoors that developed when he was a young boy in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Growing up on a farm, where more than half the land was forested, fueled Josephson’s love for trees and the forest. Skiing in the open field and tobogganing down the hill on the property only enhanced his affinity for the outdoors, so it was only fitting that when his father encouraged him, in 1963, to purchase a 97-acre property just down the road from where they lived, he did so.

To this day, Josephson has planted thousands of trees on that land with the help of family and friends, and his niece now lives on the original piece of land that he grew up on, bringing it full circle. Home to family picnics, walks, hikes, breathtaking views of the Slate River Valley, and 25 years of corn roasts, his property is very much enjoyed by his family, including his wife and son. If he’s not gardening, fishing, camping, or engaging in other outdoor activities, Josephson also enjoys collecting local sports memorabilia.

Being surrounded by trees for most of his life, it was an obvious fit for Josephson to become a member of Forests Ontario, and he advises others to do the same. Another perk he enjoys is Our Forest magazine. “I read it from beginning to end because it’s so close to my heart. I get so excited about it,” he says.

In talking to him, I can hear the passion in his voice and sense the love and pride that he has for not only his property, but for trees and our environment. “With global warming, I can’t think of a better way for anyone and everyone to get involved than by planting trees,” Josephson states.

When asked why taking care of our environment is important, he simply says “trees give off everything that’s good in the world.” To Josephson, it’s natural – what little he can do, he can plant trees. “I’m 80 years old, and I may not get to see them grow, but they’ll be my footprint,” he says.

Forests Ontario would like to thank Elving Josephson and all our members for their valued support. Your contribution continues to make our urban and rural communities healthier through the creation, preservation and maintenance of new forests and grasslands.

Forests Ontario will be highlighting our members in each issue of Our Forest magazine. If you are a Forests Ontario member and would like to share your story in our magazine, please contact bmcclelland@forestsontario.ca.