Swan-release biologist to receive Order of Canada (Updated)

Harry Lumsden, who founded the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program, will become a member of the Order of Canada.

Lumsden has been in the North Bay area over the last few years releasing trumpeter swans into Callander Bay under the Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Program, operated by the Lake Nipissing Partners in Conservation.

“I was very surprise when I heard about it but very delighted,” Lumsden said from his Aurora-area home.

"They sent me a letter saying they wanted to present this to me, and would I accept it. I didn't have to think about that one too hard."

Lumsden doesn't know yet what he'll be wearing to the investiture, "but I don't think it will be my Wellies."

Passion and dedication
An entry on the Governor General's Web page states that Lumsden, pictured above at a swan release last summer at Callander Bay, provides "a strong example of how, by working together, we can make a lasting contribution to conservation."

A retired biologist and research scientist with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, Lumsden is an international authority on the grouse family and waterfowl.

As well, the Governor-General's news release states, "he has shared his knowledge of aviculture with the general public. He has inspired volunteers to follow his lead in breeding Canada geese and trumpeter swans, successfully reintroducing these birds to Ontario. Known for his passion and dedication, he continues to stimulate public interest in wildlife conservation."

Dedicated and enthusiastic
Kevin O'Grady, who is retiring as chairman of Nipissing Partners, called news of Lumsden's investiture "wonderful."

"He's over 80 now but he still goes out catching swans by hand just like a young man," said O'Grady, a North Bay dentist.

"And you should see him wrestle a swan to the ground while he's tagging it and putting on a leg band. Harry's just so dedicated and enthusiastic about this."

Lunsden's goal, O'Grady said, was to achieve a trumpeter swan flock of 500 in the province.

"He's reached at least 450 so he's very close to that goal," O'Grady said.

More this spring
So far Lumsden has released 20 trumpeters in Callander Bay over the last two years.

And he's planning to return with more this spring, O'Grady said, to release them off Great Manitou Island, in Lake Nipissing.

"We figure we'll receive maybe four," O'Grady said.

O'Grady said Lumsden first brought swans here after two were accidentaly killed by hunters in 2001.

Tribute to the work
The date for the investiture, which will take place at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, has yet to be announced.

Lumsden has been at Rideau Hall before, he said, in to watch his father-in-law,renown Danish-Canadian botanist Erling Porsild, receive the Arctic Institute Medal from former Governor General Georges P. Vanier.

"I'm really looking forward to this," Lumsden said, "because I believe this is a tribute to the work I've done in the field of science."
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Photo above taken by Jean-Marc Filion