Hal Eidsvik

b. 1932

Before ecological significance gained the high priority it has today for park planners, Hal was one of the great minds envisioning a system to protect areas in every biogeographic zone in Canada. His forestry and park management background in BC launched a career of national and global contributions, including a zoning system for National Parks, a Parks Canada Policy and the review of many existing and potential park systems worldwide. During his time as Chief of Planning with Parks Canada, ten new National Parks were created, including Pacific Rim on Vancouver Island. Hal's talents have led him far from his birthplace of Prince Rupert, but his ingenuity has helped preserve natural areas in BC as it has in Canada and abroad.

(Photo courtesy of Hal Eidsvik)

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Hal admiring cacti in Grasslands National Park

Affiliations:

• UBC - B.S. Forestry 1957
• U of Michigan – Masters Forestry 1964
• BC Parks – Summer work 1955-1957, Technical Officer 1957-1958
  
• BC Parks Regional Director, Northern Region 1958
• Parks Canada, Park planner 1959–1966, Assistant Chief of Planning 1967, Assistant Regional Director of National and Historic Parks 1967-1968, Chief of Planning 1968-1975, Director of Policy and International Affairs 1975-1992
• World Conservation Union (IUCN) Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas - Member 1972, Executive Officer 1977-1980, Chair 1983-1990
• UBC Forestry Adjunct Professor - 1992
• U of Michigan Adjunct Professor 1983-1990
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Senior Programme Officer Natural Heritage) of the World Heritage Convention 1992-1996
• PARCS International (Protected Areas Consulting Services)

Awards:

• IUCN Fred M. Packard Award - 1990
• Certificate of Merit, National and Provincial Parks Directors of Canada - 1992
• Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal - 1995

Parks:

• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
• National Parks in Canada and abroad