Story Teller - Image Maker - Designer - Inventor - Ecologist - Educator- Sailor - Aviator - Philanthropist
MyGoToExpert.ca is very happy to announce that we have signed one of Canada's foremost authorities on Sustainable Living as one of our top experts available for consulting, speaking and coaching. Garnet is a powerhouse of energy with a wealth of knowledge and insights into the human condition and its relationship to the natural world. He has had an illustrious career in media traveling the world as a photographer, writer and digital communications designer, but his passions have always resided in the world of natural health and sustainable culture.
"Garnet is A Modern Day Pioneer always a decade or two ahead of our current thinking. He has a clear vision of a sustainable future for this country and the world at large." Tom Lawson - Educator
My Go To Expert is quite pleased to add Garnet McPherson to our stable of leading experts. We are happy that we are able to represent Mr. McPherson and for this opportunity to showcase the works of this Canadian innovator and visioneer. He has become one of Canada's thought leaders. In many ways he is a product of his experience. Here we tell that story. Here we share his journey and explain how he became an influencer in public policy conversations of today. Here we also provide a snap shot into just a few of Garnet's innovative initiatives that can make life on earth a little better.
Garnet McPherson is available as a Key Note Speaker, Coach and Consultant and currently booked exclusively in Canada and the United State of America, through My Go To Expert.
"Garnet is A Modern Day Pioneer always a decade or two ahead of our current thinking. He has a clear vision of a sustainable future for this country and the world at large." Tom Lawson - Educator
My Go To Expert is quite pleased to add Garnet McPherson to our stable of leading experts. We are happy that we are able to represent Mr. McPherson and for this opportunity to showcase the works of this Canadian innovator and visioneer. He has become one of Canada's thought leaders. In many ways he is a product of his experience. Here we tell that story. Here we share his journey and explain how he became an influencer in public policy conversations of today. Here we also provide a snap shot into just a few of Garnet's innovative initiatives that can make life on earth a little better.
Garnet McPherson is available as a Key Note Speaker, Coach and Consultant and currently booked exclusively in Canada and the United State of America, through My Go To Expert.
Sometimes called the original “Visioneer” - Garnet McPherson draws on his global experience to inform his innovative approach to creative problem solving as a communicator, educator, inventor and designer. His insights and inspiration has empowered a wide variety of projects around the world.
THE STORY TELLER - Garnet is a visionary and eco imagineer. He has been the host of the Greenzine and a powerhouse in the communications industry. He has over 40 years of experience in Communications as a Photographer, Graphic Designer and Producer, Director and Writer in print, display, digital media and video production.
He also assembled and directs a dedicated team who's goal is to have positive eco social impacts in all that they create. Garnet has attracted a talented and creative crew with years of priceless experience in effective story telling.
He is the founder of Insight Communications, Photo-Graphics Studio and Magazine, a media incubator called Our Studio and production company the Media Arts Group. He recently assembled a group of high powered web development wise men (and women) to form MAGI Web Design.
He has his own graphic design firm is called Graphic Exposure and he organized a national network of content creators under The Ghostwriters Guild. He also created Ovation Presentations that creates killer business Powerpoint, Keynote presentations. Recently he helped to create Event Management Group which plans, facilitates and organizes for special events.
THE STORY TELLER - Garnet is a visionary and eco imagineer. He has been the host of the Greenzine and a powerhouse in the communications industry. He has over 40 years of experience in Communications as a Photographer, Graphic Designer and Producer, Director and Writer in print, display, digital media and video production.
He also assembled and directs a dedicated team who's goal is to have positive eco social impacts in all that they create. Garnet has attracted a talented and creative crew with years of priceless experience in effective story telling.
He is the founder of Insight Communications, Photo-Graphics Studio and Magazine, a media incubator called Our Studio and production company the Media Arts Group. He recently assembled a group of high powered web development wise men (and women) to form MAGI Web Design.
He has his own graphic design firm is called Graphic Exposure and he organized a national network of content creators under The Ghostwriters Guild. He also created Ovation Presentations that creates killer business Powerpoint, Keynote presentations. Recently he helped to create Event Management Group which plans, facilitates and organizes for special events.
THE ECOLOGIST - Garnet is a passionate environmentalist and has been involved with eco education and advocacy most of his life. He could see the writing on the wall and new we were heading towards and eco system crisis. But public awareness and ultimately action can be very slow moving objects.
Garnet new we had to change the common paradigm around mans relationship to nature. If he was to have an impact it would be to protect the wonders of the natural world that future generations will depend on. So over the years, he invested his resources and his time in support of the changes mankind's perspective he wanted to see.
"We too often forget that we are part of the natural world. It is our life support system and when we destroy it we are destroying the future for mankind as well."
Garnet established the Earthwalk Eco Education Center, where he also raised his family, he then created Serenity a holistic health center on Lake Ontario, he founded Sustainable Living Magazine and worked with a team of consultants to develop Earthworks Eco Villages a consulting service for eco village design and an innovation center that focuses on sustainable design.
He brought together a team of forward thinkers from a variety of disciplines to form the Visioneers think tank from which a number of sustainable projects have spun off. He also developed a business incubator called Leading Edg that focuses on green innovations and business acceleration. The ecoprenurial projects that have come from that range from Natural Buildings that specializes in healthy home and green construction, to The Arts Club a community arts center .
Garnet new we had to change the common paradigm around mans relationship to nature. If he was to have an impact it would be to protect the wonders of the natural world that future generations will depend on. So over the years, he invested his resources and his time in support of the changes mankind's perspective he wanted to see.
"We too often forget that we are part of the natural world. It is our life support system and when we destroy it we are destroying the future for mankind as well."
Garnet established the Earthwalk Eco Education Center, where he also raised his family, he then created Serenity a holistic health center on Lake Ontario, he founded Sustainable Living Magazine and worked with a team of consultants to develop Earthworks Eco Villages a consulting service for eco village design and an innovation center that focuses on sustainable design.
He brought together a team of forward thinkers from a variety of disciplines to form the Visioneers think tank from which a number of sustainable projects have spun off. He also developed a business incubator called Leading Edg that focuses on green innovations and business acceleration. The ecoprenurial projects that have come from that range from Natural Buildings that specializes in healthy home and green construction, to The Arts Club a community arts center .
THE INVENTOR - Garnet has designed innovative products since his early days and a number of Eco-products that were ahead of their time. He worked with his engineer/partner/friend Bill Perks who was able to build prototypes of the ideas Garnet came up with. In the 70's they formed Insight & Ideas, an invention development firm that created new and innovative solutions. They worked in a collaborative manner drawing in experts from several disciplines to develop design solutions ranging from a multi function ladder to a solar powered air conditioning system , designs for passive solar homes that included seasonal heat storage and a neighborhood electric vehicle.
This lead to an epiphany of sorts. During patent search process on their work they were astonished to see how many amazing ideas had been bought up by large corporations only to be kept off the market. Corporations were buying great ideas just so they would not compete with their own. This was Garnet's first encounter with the negative impact of capitalist institutions that manipulate the market place, solely to their benefit. McPherson is quoted saying that "The greater good too often takes the back seat to the greater profit"
This lead to an epiphany of sorts. During patent search process on their work they were astonished to see how many amazing ideas had been bought up by large corporations only to be kept off the market. Corporations were buying great ideas just so they would not compete with their own. This was Garnet's first encounter with the negative impact of capitalist institutions that manipulate the market place, solely to their benefit. McPherson is quoted saying that "The greater good too often takes the back seat to the greater profit"
The Leading EDG Innovation Center he co-founded is designed to assist in the development of new technologies that solve real problems. The center has a number of resources to help inventors ranging from multi-discipline collaborative think tanks, to prototype workshops as well as experts in manufacturing and marketing. He also helped develop Turnkey Web Site Solutions to help launch start ups with digital marketing resources that support home based entrepreneurship. Tools that enable creators to work from home, greatly reduce the costs and enviromental impacts of them commuting. He continues to build resources to support the success of creators and eco-preneurs in a variety of ways.
"We try to support innovations that create positive social or environmental impact. If we get behind technology that is sustainable we are investing not only in our own quality of life, but for those of future generations."
When we start rethinking and redesigning the way we do things there is an abundance of opportunities to create better ways of living that can make our world heathier and more sustainable. There are huge oportunties to reduce our environmental footprints in our approach to shelter and transportation alone.
"We try to support innovations that create positive social or environmental impact. If we get behind technology that is sustainable we are investing not only in our own quality of life, but for those of future generations."
When we start rethinking and redesigning the way we do things there is an abundance of opportunities to create better ways of living that can make our world heathier and more sustainable. There are huge oportunties to reduce our environmental footprints in our approach to shelter and transportation alone.
"Now is the time we need to channel our available resources towards solving our eco social challenges before those challenges have irreversable and devestating impacts on our society."
Capital is form of energy to Garnet that can be transformed into solutions. So with Leading EDG (Enterprise Development Group) he matches positive innovations with ethical venture capitalists to channel that the power of that energy towards positive impacts for society.
One example of that is the solar cooling technology developed by McPherson and his design team at Earthwalk Eco Centre. The thoughtful use of capital can change both our present and future. The Leading EDG supports solution based innovations with investment that bring them to the market.
Capital is form of energy to Garnet that can be transformed into solutions. So with Leading EDG (Enterprise Development Group) he matches positive innovations with ethical venture capitalists to channel that the power of that energy towards positive impacts for society.
One example of that is the solar cooling technology developed by McPherson and his design team at Earthwalk Eco Centre. The thoughtful use of capital can change both our present and future. The Leading EDG supports solution based innovations with investment that bring them to the market.
He sees the need for change in how innovators are protected and how the benefits of those innovations are made available. In a talk to patent lawyers about the progressive strategies he pointed out. "One of the things we encourage inventors to do once they have established a patent is to license the use of their patents with the proviso that they will be implemented and to simply not sell the rights outright without such an assurance. Only this will prevent good technology from ever being buried to control a market place. This approach to patent contracts will insure that human inventiveness will not be stifled by the manipulation by corporate interests and is more likely to serve the greater good."
Garnet would like to see a transformation into ethical and sustainable economic systems that reward solutions that favor the planet and society. He feels that enterprise that creates long term positive impacts needs to become the norm rather than the exception in our society.
"Here in the west we live in a capitalist society and are taught to embrace it. There is no doubt that this system has fueled developments in our society that are incredibly positive but unfortunately also negative. It seems to me that where we went wrong was in creating corporate laws that are centered around the creation of profit alone. With a little more omniscient perspective, we might have modeled our social structures around the examples set by natural laws based on balance. If we had arrived in the Americas more as students rather than colonizing exploiters perhaps we could have designed an economic system influenced by the Native American's seventh generation principal. Sustainability was built into the native cultures we encountered and the wisdom of that went right over our heads. In truth we always need to look down the road to make good choices about which way to is best.
I believe that ethical entrepreneurship could be our saving grace, but capitalism is currently a force of both good and evil and it seems to me that the balance between the needs of the public and the planet should never be compromised by the desire for profit. In the future I vision corporations will only allowed to continue to exist if their annual report can demonstrate positive impacts on the people, the planet as well as the profits. We need to weave sustainability into the fabric of our culture in every way possible if we are to create a future worth passing on to the generations to follow."
Mankinds impact on the world we live in has remained a concern for Garnet over the years and influenced his view that innovation needs to be harnessed to effect positive change above all else.
Garnet focuses on innovation that he feels can have a positive impact. He is quoted as saying... "Why is always the most important question. When you have answered that question, you will find you have answered many more." He is a creative problem solver at heart and endevours to address solutions both large and small with how he spends each day.
Garnet would like to see a transformation into ethical and sustainable economic systems that reward solutions that favor the planet and society. He feels that enterprise that creates long term positive impacts needs to become the norm rather than the exception in our society.
"Here in the west we live in a capitalist society and are taught to embrace it. There is no doubt that this system has fueled developments in our society that are incredibly positive but unfortunately also negative. It seems to me that where we went wrong was in creating corporate laws that are centered around the creation of profit alone. With a little more omniscient perspective, we might have modeled our social structures around the examples set by natural laws based on balance. If we had arrived in the Americas more as students rather than colonizing exploiters perhaps we could have designed an economic system influenced by the Native American's seventh generation principal. Sustainability was built into the native cultures we encountered and the wisdom of that went right over our heads. In truth we always need to look down the road to make good choices about which way to is best.
I believe that ethical entrepreneurship could be our saving grace, but capitalism is currently a force of both good and evil and it seems to me that the balance between the needs of the public and the planet should never be compromised by the desire for profit. In the future I vision corporations will only allowed to continue to exist if their annual report can demonstrate positive impacts on the people, the planet as well as the profits. We need to weave sustainability into the fabric of our culture in every way possible if we are to create a future worth passing on to the generations to follow."
Mankinds impact on the world we live in has remained a concern for Garnet over the years and influenced his view that innovation needs to be harnessed to effect positive change above all else.
Garnet focuses on innovation that he feels can have a positive impact. He is quoted as saying... "Why is always the most important question. When you have answered that question, you will find you have answered many more." He is a creative problem solver at heart and endevours to address solutions both large and small with how he spends each day.
THE EDUCATOR - Garnet shares his knowledge and experience hoping to nurture a new breed of talented and inspired innovators.
Teaching Communications - Garnet has been teaching visual arts for many years and was on the faculty of Sheridan College and more recently he became the Dean of Photography at Creative Arts Institute. He is also a guest presenter for The Arts Club workshop series and business incubators like Our Studio.
Garnet teaches programs in Communication Design that ranging from Brand Development, Digital Marketing, Photography, Video Production, Graphic Design, Ghost Writing, Presentation Design, Content Development, Web Site Development and Designing for Information Retention.
Teaching Communications - Garnet has been teaching visual arts for many years and was on the faculty of Sheridan College and more recently he became the Dean of Photography at Creative Arts Institute. He is also a guest presenter for The Arts Club workshop series and business incubators like Our Studio.
Garnet teaches programs in Communication Design that ranging from Brand Development, Digital Marketing, Photography, Video Production, Graphic Design, Ghost Writing, Presentation Design, Content Development, Web Site Development and Designing for Information Retention.
Teaching Sustainability - Garnet has served on the board of several holistic organizations and in the the world of natural health and sustainability he has been developing educational programs for The Green Planet Foundation, Earthwalk Eco Education Center, and The Canadian Natural Health Association .
He has spoken to community organizations, at conferences and trade events across the country. He has organized events and has been a keynote speaker for a number of Universities and School Boards. He was chosen by Al Gore to speak as an ambassador for the Climate Reality Project.
Garnet teaches programs in Eco Social Design that range from Sustainability Plans, Permaculture Design, Eco Village Design, Healthy Homes, Bio Diversity, Conservation, Climate Response, Survival, Natural Health, Green Building Design, Renewable Energy, Organic Gardening, Eco Transportation and Eco Education.
"When we are willing to look beyond what stands before us in the present, we can often find extraordinary possibilities for the future. Educators have a great responsibility in relation to the world we are now creating. Simply by integrating environmental awareness into every class of every curriculum in both the arts and science programs we can shift our culture and our future in the process. Our educational institutions should be leading the way and seeding forward thinking into the fabric of our society." Garnet McPherson - Quote from Principals Conference - 2008
He has spoken to community organizations, at conferences and trade events across the country. He has organized events and has been a keynote speaker for a number of Universities and School Boards. He was chosen by Al Gore to speak as an ambassador for the Climate Reality Project.
Garnet teaches programs in Eco Social Design that range from Sustainability Plans, Permaculture Design, Eco Village Design, Healthy Homes, Bio Diversity, Conservation, Climate Response, Survival, Natural Health, Green Building Design, Renewable Energy, Organic Gardening, Eco Transportation and Eco Education.
"When we are willing to look beyond what stands before us in the present, we can often find extraordinary possibilities for the future. Educators have a great responsibility in relation to the world we are now creating. Simply by integrating environmental awareness into every class of every curriculum in both the arts and science programs we can shift our culture and our future in the process. Our educational institutions should be leading the way and seeding forward thinking into the fabric of our society." Garnet McPherson - Quote from Principals Conference - 2008
Speaking Bureau - Garnet McPherson is available as a Key Note Speaker, Coach and Consultant and is booked exclusively in Canada and the United State of America through My Go To Expert.
Garnet McPherson is one of our most knowledgeable and versatile experts. He is available as a keynote speaker on both Communication Design and Eco Social Design including many of the subjects he teaches at the Creative Arts Institute or the Earthwalk Eco Centre. However because of the potential of a global eco system collapse Garnet will give priority to the following speaking engagements:
Garnet McPherson is one of our most knowledgeable and versatile experts. He is available as a keynote speaker on both Communication Design and Eco Social Design including many of the subjects he teaches at the Creative Arts Institute or the Earthwalk Eco Centre. However because of the potential of a global eco system collapse Garnet will give priority to the following speaking engagements:
- Eco Villages
- Bio Diversity
- Conservation
- Permaculture
- Climate Crisis
- Healthy Home
- Natural Health
- Green Buildings
- Renewable Energy
- Organic Gardening
- Eco Transportation
- Communication Design
"Garnet McPherson is one of the most inspiring keynote speakers we have ever booked. His experiences as an adventurer, researcher, writer, journalist, photographer, film maker, educator, and activist has spanned dozens of countries and informs his rich understanding of the state of our planets eco social challenges and the solutions to many of the issues we face now and in the years to come". Milisa Graham - Toronto Board Of Education
"Garnet has typically under promised and over delivered! He always brings more to a project than we expected " Peter Ross - Event Planner
"Garnet is very enthusiastic and passionate. He has totally dedicated himself to facilitating the creation of a sustainable future for all of us in our homes, in our business, and in our communities." Terry Martindale - Television Producer
"Amazing Speaker! Garnet McPherson has the biggest heart. He has supported over 16 community organizations, just that I know of, probably more... What I appreciate the most is that he is hell bent to save our environment for future generations. He is always focused on the greater good, and he sets an example for all of us of big picture thinking. I could listen to Garnet for hours, He has a lot to teach us." Debra Stringer - The Arts Club
"Garnet has typically under promised and over delivered! He always brings more to a project than we expected " Peter Ross - Event Planner
"Garnet is very enthusiastic and passionate. He has totally dedicated himself to facilitating the creation of a sustainable future for all of us in our homes, in our business, and in our communities." Terry Martindale - Television Producer
"Amazing Speaker! Garnet McPherson has the biggest heart. He has supported over 16 community organizations, just that I know of, probably more... What I appreciate the most is that he is hell bent to save our environment for future generations. He is always focused on the greater good, and he sets an example for all of us of big picture thinking. I could listen to Garnet for hours, He has a lot to teach us." Debra Stringer - The Arts Club
THE MAN - A new "Renaissance Man", Garnet brings his many talents and an informed and creative approach to all his projects. His ability to imagine outcomes in the midst of the creative process is remarkable. As he crafts a communication he is also optimizing the message it will deliver. He is result focused in his design solutions which is why he is so sought after by clients. He has worked with clients from around the world, in both communications and eco design.
He has had many adventures and mis-adventures in his life. He has lived in the wilderness, sailed through hurricane Emily, almost froze to death in the arctic and he lost the engine in a single engine aircraft over the middle of Lake Ontario just to mention a few. His best friend called him "the man with nine lives, working on his eleventh." But Garnet sees a challenge as an incredible opportunity to learn from what life sends you. He has been able to focus on an outcome, and then find a way to make it happen. He ability to survive under extreme circumstances is a story that will be told in his upcoming auto-biography. But its not just luck. He is one of the most resourceful humans I have ever met.
Much to his surprise he has become a role model for many that want to have an impact on creating a sustainable future. Yet when I interviewed him for this article he described himself humbly "Like all of us, I am in essence a student of life." and then the journalist within him joked "I suppose I have been on a quest in search for intelligent life on planet earth. It turns out to be a rare thing to find!".
As you read this, you will find an inspiring tale of the development of this man with an impressive matrix of talents. You will see why we at My Go To Expert are so fortunate to be able to offer Mr McPherson to our clients as a keynote speaker, consultant or coach.
So here is the amazing story behind this extraordinary man.
He has had many adventures and mis-adventures in his life. He has lived in the wilderness, sailed through hurricane Emily, almost froze to death in the arctic and he lost the engine in a single engine aircraft over the middle of Lake Ontario just to mention a few. His best friend called him "the man with nine lives, working on his eleventh." But Garnet sees a challenge as an incredible opportunity to learn from what life sends you. He has been able to focus on an outcome, and then find a way to make it happen. He ability to survive under extreme circumstances is a story that will be told in his upcoming auto-biography. But its not just luck. He is one of the most resourceful humans I have ever met.
Much to his surprise he has become a role model for many that want to have an impact on creating a sustainable future. Yet when I interviewed him for this article he described himself humbly "Like all of us, I am in essence a student of life." and then the journalist within him joked "I suppose I have been on a quest in search for intelligent life on planet earth. It turns out to be a rare thing to find!".
As you read this, you will find an inspiring tale of the development of this man with an impressive matrix of talents. You will see why we at My Go To Expert are so fortunate to be able to offer Mr McPherson to our clients as a keynote speaker, consultant or coach.
So here is the amazing story behind this extraordinary man.
A Child Of The Country - Garnet was born in a rural community east of Toronto. He grew up in a home surrounded by a forest on the shores of a beautiful lake. Once described as a "Huckleberry Finn childhood", Garnet spent his days exploring the forest and the shoreline and getting to know the meaning of "nature". He walked miles to school across fields and streams and watched as the community grew around their family home and the changes to both the natural and human landscape that evolved. Even as a boy he was described as a "keen observer". He was a country kid but could see that there were things about the way we live that he would like to change. But initially he was not sure how to make that happen. However by his teens he was observing how media reflected the world around him and by listening to the musings of his elders, he eventually developed a sense that communication was the key to creating positive change.
From that point on, Garnet knew that he wanted to be involved in communication arts. From the time he was in grade school he had been writing stories and taking pictures of everything that caught his imagination. He enjoyed high school and did very well but his interests went beyond the confines of curriculum. So he worked on the high school paper; he was president of the camera club; planned outings for Young Naturalists, volunteered for Pollution Probe and was active in student government.
From that point on, Garnet knew that he wanted to be involved in communication arts. From the time he was in grade school he had been writing stories and taking pictures of everything that caught his imagination. He enjoyed high school and did very well but his interests went beyond the confines of curriculum. So he worked on the high school paper; he was president of the camera club; planned outings for Young Naturalists, volunteered for Pollution Probe and was active in student government.
Making His Break - As soon as he got his drivers license he applied for a part time job as a photo/journalist for the local paper. The editor of the paper at first told him that he could not hire a 16 year old to report on the local news. So Garnet wrote an anonymous article and dropped it off along with some photos. He then followed up with a letter revealing himself as the author and then exploring all the reasons that ones perspective was much more important than ones age. It was delivered it to the paper the next day. The editor was so impressed with what he saw that he not only published the article but called Garnet back and offered him a job that would fit around his school commitments.
This was Garnets first experience with the power of the pen and camera and the images and ink has not stopped flowing since then. Within a year he was also shooting for the local photography studio under Robert Azzipardi and within two he landed a job with the Toronto Star and was freelancing for national journals.
This was Garnets first experience with the power of the pen and camera and the images and ink has not stopped flowing since then. Within a year he was also shooting for the local photography studio under Robert Azzipardi and within two he landed a job with the Toronto Star and was freelancing for national journals.
Acquiring Skills
Higher Education
Garnet's post secondary education also focused on communication and his research was targeted on information retention. He was obsessed with the art and science of how to design messages that people would remember. He was talented visual communicator and he had developed significant skills as a wordsmith, but all his research was indicating that the most powerful element in the communication process was visual communication.
So his next objective was to become an expert in using visual media to get messages across. He took courses at several visual arts schools covering everything from fine art and graphic design to photography, multi-media, web development and film making.
His interest in ecological architecture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and bio diversity has also fueled his quest for knowledge and experience in those fields.
His ongoing passion for learning drew him to studies at Sheridan Collage, U of T School of Architecture, Communications Arts Institute as well as participating in a number of sustainability programs at Guelph and Queens Universities and the Findhorn Foundation. Garnet has traveled extensively not just in his career in media but to explore examples of sustainable communities and environmental initiatives in a quest to understand what techniques and technology is working and making a difference.
"One needs to be a perpetual student in order to live life to its potential and to inform our choices around the future of society that we want to create."
Higher Education
Garnet's post secondary education also focused on communication and his research was targeted on information retention. He was obsessed with the art and science of how to design messages that people would remember. He was talented visual communicator and he had developed significant skills as a wordsmith, but all his research was indicating that the most powerful element in the communication process was visual communication.
So his next objective was to become an expert in using visual media to get messages across. He took courses at several visual arts schools covering everything from fine art and graphic design to photography, multi-media, web development and film making.
His interest in ecological architecture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and bio diversity has also fueled his quest for knowledge and experience in those fields.
His ongoing passion for learning drew him to studies at Sheridan Collage, U of T School of Architecture, Communications Arts Institute as well as participating in a number of sustainability programs at Guelph and Queens Universities and the Findhorn Foundation. Garnet has traveled extensively not just in his career in media but to explore examples of sustainable communities and environmental initiatives in a quest to understand what techniques and technology is working and making a difference.
"One needs to be a perpetual student in order to live life to its potential and to inform our choices around the future of society that we want to create."
Exploring Photography
Garnet has said the his original fascination with photography lay in the fact that it was " in effect a time machine". He later began to appreciate the extent to which a photography could "communicate complex ideas in an instant". "A photograph provides an international language that is able to communicate an integrate message without the need for the spoken or written word. His communications research had already identified that imagery represented the majority of what was remembered from most communication media. So he became focused on mastering the power that imagery held to change minds and attitudes.
Garnet had already been making a living in photography when he attended Sheridan Collage's Commercial Photography Program. Though he graduated at the top of his class he was not content with his formal education, so while he supported himself as a freelancer, he decided to spend the next few years seeking out the most talented photographers in various fields with hopes to learn even more from the very best. He had already worked beside Boris Spremo at the Toronto Star and after graduating he showed great resourcefulness in convincing the master photographers of the day, to let him study under their direction.
He sought out and then volunteered to assist with the likes of George Hunter for aerial photography, He followed Henry Cartier Bresson around Paris who is regarded as the grandfather of modern photo journalism. He assisted Richard Avedon in his New York studio to learn about the editorial fashion industry.
Then he went to California to tote the great Ansel Adams gear through the California back country and to explore a deeper appreciation of the natural world. In the process he would learn the art and craft of perhaps the greatest landscape photographer of all time.
A truly amazing experience that has both informed and energized what Garnet has created in his career.
Exploring Graphic Design
Garnet also had a passion for Graphic Design and its ability to distill a complex message into its simplest form. Though he had learned a great deal at Sheridan and from the art directors for the advertising agencies he had been working for he felt he could learn more if he also sought out the best in the design world.
He was able to assist Allan Fleming. Fleming was one of Canada’s best-known design icons. In addition to the CN “worm” logo as it known in the industry, he also designed the Ontario Hydro logo and was the art director for Maclean’s. Fleming unfortunately died when he was only 48. Garnet missed his mentor but appreciated the time he had with him.
Garnets willingness to learn from his mentors paid off multiple dividends and over the years Garnet has designed Logos and Branding Strategies for hundreds of clients representing a wide variety of sectors and Flemings influence can be seen in Garnets approach to graphic solutions to this day.
Garnet also had a passion for Graphic Design and its ability to distill a complex message into its simplest form. Though he had learned a great deal at Sheridan and from the art directors for the advertising agencies he had been working for he felt he could learn more if he also sought out the best in the design world.
He was able to assist Allan Fleming. Fleming was one of Canada’s best-known design icons. In addition to the CN “worm” logo as it known in the industry, he also designed the Ontario Hydro logo and was the art director for Maclean’s. Fleming unfortunately died when he was only 48. Garnet missed his mentor but appreciated the time he had with him.
Garnets willingness to learn from his mentors paid off multiple dividends and over the years Garnet has designed Logos and Branding Strategies for hundreds of clients representing a wide variety of sectors and Flemings influence can be seen in Garnets approach to graphic solutions to this day.
Exploring Film & Video Production
A fan of film all his life, Garnet owned Cinema Whitby in the 70's. It was the first repertory cinema in Ontario which ran an ongoing film festival with over 600 films a year. It had a healthy food snack bar, a stage and tickets were $2 per film with a $5 membership. The stage featured concerts, comedy shows and children's variety shows on weekends and Garnet actually taught a film course there once a week and brought in industry expert for many presentations.
Garnet's passion for film and video production did not end there. After taking film courses at collage, he had the privilege to study with Academy Award winning director Norman Jewison who founded the Canadian Center for Advanced Film Studies in Toronto.
Norman, a consummate craftsman had not only earned an Oscar but had been nominated for Academy Awards seven times for films like Moonstruck, A Soldiers Story, Fiddler on the Roof just to name a few.
But the reason Garnet was drawn to study with him was to see his directorial style known for eliciting exceptional performances from his cast members. He also had the courage to address important social and political issues throughout career. But most interesting to Garnet, was that he was often able to make controversial or complicated subjects accessible and relatable to mainstream audiences.
Garnet was not only inspired by Jewison's directing, and his approach to story telling, but his techniques informed Garnets approach to his own productions and his clients projects all through the years.
However in recent years Garnet has turned his focus to documentaries and educational productions like The Loggers Of Algonquin, Images Of Wilderness, and The Secret Life Of A Rainbow Trout. Today his production company Media Arts Group is developing a series of documentaries about people who make a positive difference in our communities and for the planet.
A fan of film all his life, Garnet owned Cinema Whitby in the 70's. It was the first repertory cinema in Ontario which ran an ongoing film festival with over 600 films a year. It had a healthy food snack bar, a stage and tickets were $2 per film with a $5 membership. The stage featured concerts, comedy shows and children's variety shows on weekends and Garnet actually taught a film course there once a week and brought in industry expert for many presentations.
Garnet's passion for film and video production did not end there. After taking film courses at collage, he had the privilege to study with Academy Award winning director Norman Jewison who founded the Canadian Center for Advanced Film Studies in Toronto.
Norman, a consummate craftsman had not only earned an Oscar but had been nominated for Academy Awards seven times for films like Moonstruck, A Soldiers Story, Fiddler on the Roof just to name a few.
But the reason Garnet was drawn to study with him was to see his directorial style known for eliciting exceptional performances from his cast members. He also had the courage to address important social and political issues throughout career. But most interesting to Garnet, was that he was often able to make controversial or complicated subjects accessible and relatable to mainstream audiences.
Garnet was not only inspired by Jewison's directing, and his approach to story telling, but his techniques informed Garnets approach to his own productions and his clients projects all through the years.
However in recent years Garnet has turned his focus to documentaries and educational productions like The Loggers Of Algonquin, Images Of Wilderness, and The Secret Life Of A Rainbow Trout. Today his production company Media Arts Group is developing a series of documentaries about people who make a positive difference in our communities and for the planet.
Committing To A Strategic Path
Garnet understood that knowledge of the creative and communications process would bring a powerful set of tools to the boardrooms of his clients. His research into the psychology of communication had identified the key super powers of visual communication. He had developed a extraordinary awareness of how the human brain takes in, processes and retains information along with what techniques tend to move people to action.
His focus on unlocking the power of visual communications to effect real impact on the community at large became central to Garnet's explorations. He dove into and grew from the best available educational opportunities, then by getting involved with the top talent at an early stage in his career, he in essence had created his own personal graduate school that resulted in significant knowledge and skill acquisition.
"I think its an attitude... I am a perpetual student. I try to learn something new everyday." Garnet McPherson - Quote from interview.
This decision to learn from the best has enhanced his career in immeasurable ways. The intense series of exposures to leaders is Photography, Design and Film, not only rounded out his communication skills but provided a depth of experience and knowledge that eventually helped Garnet become a broadly talented and versatile photographer and one of the best communication designers in the Country.
The story of that journey is one of an intensely focused desire to master the best technology, techniques and strategies to create highly effective communication. His commitment to bringing these enhanced tools to his client's marketing and communications resources, resulted in an almost continuous growth in his business initiatives.
Garnet understood that knowledge of the creative and communications process would bring a powerful set of tools to the boardrooms of his clients. His research into the psychology of communication had identified the key super powers of visual communication. He had developed a extraordinary awareness of how the human brain takes in, processes and retains information along with what techniques tend to move people to action.
His focus on unlocking the power of visual communications to effect real impact on the community at large became central to Garnet's explorations. He dove into and grew from the best available educational opportunities, then by getting involved with the top talent at an early stage in his career, he in essence had created his own personal graduate school that resulted in significant knowledge and skill acquisition.
"I think its an attitude... I am a perpetual student. I try to learn something new everyday." Garnet McPherson - Quote from interview.
This decision to learn from the best has enhanced his career in immeasurable ways. The intense series of exposures to leaders is Photography, Design and Film, not only rounded out his communication skills but provided a depth of experience and knowledge that eventually helped Garnet become a broadly talented and versatile photographer and one of the best communication designers in the Country.
The story of that journey is one of an intensely focused desire to master the best technology, techniques and strategies to create highly effective communication. His commitment to bringing these enhanced tools to his client's marketing and communications resources, resulted in an almost continuous growth in his business initiatives.
Freelancing - During his personal pilgrimage to study under master photographers in Europe and North America Garnet was supporting himself as a photojournalist. This part of his career took him to dozens of countries with assignments that ranged from travel stories and celebrity profiles to time working for relief organizations. He interviewed victims of torture and persecution during the Papadopoulos Regime in Greece while he was being pursued by his secret police. He also spent a short time as a war corespondent. Still a young man, these years spent on the road provided Garnet with invaluable experience that added to his ability to appreciate the spectrum of the human condition and the nuances that defined both our differences and our commonality.
As much as he enjoyed traveling and getting to know different approaches to life, he was also pleased to return to Canada to explore his creative potential. As an artist he understood more than most, that "the art of commercial photography was primarily that of a lightsmith" and the ability to control light was the highest purpose to a photographers studio. He knew that the photographers paintbrush was the quality and nature of the light used to describe the unique qualities of his subjects. He became a master of lighting, and this was reflected in his work which got the attention of marketing executives and ad agencies.
As much as he enjoyed traveling and getting to know different approaches to life, he was also pleased to return to Canada to explore his creative potential. As an artist he understood more than most, that "the art of commercial photography was primarily that of a lightsmith" and the ability to control light was the highest purpose to a photographers studio. He knew that the photographers paintbrush was the quality and nature of the light used to describe the unique qualities of his subjects. He became a master of lighting, and this was reflected in his work which got the attention of marketing executives and ad agencies.
Insight Photographics - By the mid 70's he established his own commercial studio Insight Photographics located on the 401 providing great access to Toronto market and excellent exposure. His ability was soon noticed both by commercial clients and ad agencies and when Business and Finance Magazine did a spread on his studio, the business really began to take off.
He designed Insight's large studio that featured a wrap around cove and enormous soft lights, ideal for shooting automobiles. He started off shooting classic cars for their proud owners, but his work began attracted national brands including automotive clients like General Motors, BMW, STP, LADA, and Honda. As his reputation grew his larger studio was soon busy shooting automotive advertising.
His smaller studio was also getting busy. As a lightsmith Garnet had a talent for creating appealing product photography. Garnets talent combined with specialized table top sets he designed were producing tantalizing food photography for cook books and commercial clients ranging from specialty food companies to Cadbury's, Loblaws and IGA.
He designed Insight's large studio that featured a wrap around cove and enormous soft lights, ideal for shooting automobiles. He started off shooting classic cars for their proud owners, but his work began attracted national brands including automotive clients like General Motors, BMW, STP, LADA, and Honda. As his reputation grew his larger studio was soon busy shooting automotive advertising.
His smaller studio was also getting busy. As a lightsmith Garnet had a talent for creating appealing product photography. Garnets talent combined with specialized table top sets he designed were producing tantalizing food photography for cook books and commercial clients ranging from specialty food companies to Cadbury's, Loblaws and IGA.
On Location - By the late 70's Garnet added a box van to the studio's gear and his crew created a fully equipped mobile unit. This was a rare resource in that era. Having an inventory of special lighting gear while on location, empowered Insight to provide high end imaging services almost anywhere. This opened up a market for a variety of industrial clients ranging from engineering firms and to product manufacturers and large scale industry like Lasco Steel
The high end photography that the Location Production Unit attracted many corporate clients for brochure and annual reports.
By adding a custom Talent Trailer he was able to accommodate space for talent as well as wardrobe and make up. This brought several film and fashion companies to Insight to take advantage of their unique package of location services. This was also the time that Garnet was able to indulge his interest in video media and he started directing more commercial productions and documentaries.
By adding a custom Talent Trailer he was able to accommodate space for talent as well as wardrobe and make up. This brought several film and fashion companies to Insight to take advantage of their unique package of location services. This was also the time that Garnet was able to indulge his interest in video media and he started directing more commercial productions and documentaries.
Giving Back - His unique abilities got the attention of Sheridan Collage and they approached Garnet to teach in their Photographic Arts program. So for a few years Garnet worked a few hours of teaching into his schedule at Insight's Studio. Garnet was apparently popular with his students and as a by product of this time, Garnet was able to cherry pick the top graduates from the program and recruit them to come work at Insight's studio.
Insight was growing and by hiring the cream of the crop coming out of Sheridan, Humber and Ryerson, he was assembling an extraordinary team of creatives from pre-production staff to photographers, designers, and post-production talent.
Insight was growing and by hiring the cream of the crop coming out of Sheridan, Humber and Ryerson, he was assembling an extraordinary team of creatives from pre-production staff to photographers, designers, and post-production talent.
The Sky Is The Limit - Within a few years Garnet added Aerial Photographics Of Canada to his portfolio of companies and began offering aerial photography to his expanding client base. APG acquired its own Cesna aircraft which was modified for aerial work. Garnet designed special equipment that was modified specifically for aerial photography. His unique technology enabled the company to offer ultra high resolution vertical aerials from a belly port on the aircraft. An open panel on the side of the aircraft enabled filming oblique aerials on the same flight.
Both the quality and versatility of this shooting platform enabled the company to operate more efficiently than other air services and the company leveraged that advantage to expand its markets for air photos. APG was soon filming aerial images all across Canada with clients that ranged from real estate developers and resource industries to the CNR and a number of government agencies.
Garnet had his aircraft parked only 10 minutes from his studio so news outlets soon realized that he could get to the site of breaking news much faster than anyone else. Because he was able to just grab his gear and go he was getting calls to cover remote news events from both print and broadcast news.
Both the quality and versatility of this shooting platform enabled the company to operate more efficiently than other air services and the company leveraged that advantage to expand its markets for air photos. APG was soon filming aerial images all across Canada with clients that ranged from real estate developers and resource industries to the CNR and a number of government agencies.
Garnet had his aircraft parked only 10 minutes from his studio so news outlets soon realized that he could get to the site of breaking news much faster than anyone else. Because he was able to just grab his gear and go he was getting calls to cover remote news events from both print and broadcast news.
Insight Communications Group - In the 80s the company expanded by adding a multi media company, a display company and a sign company to what was now called the Insights Communications Group. Insights now had services available in a wide range of media and was expanding its commercial and industrial clientele.
Bringing display and multimedia to the Insights offerings gave the company an edge in developing markets for trade show exhibits and conference media. Insight could now design and co-ordinate complete audience experiences. As a result Garnet's client base expanded to include a number of corporate clients and government agencies like Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Bank of Montreal not to mention a number of leading Advertising Agencies.
Bringing display and multimedia to the Insights offerings gave the company an edge in developing markets for trade show exhibits and conference media. Insight could now design and co-ordinate complete audience experiences. As a result Garnet's client base expanded to include a number of corporate clients and government agencies like Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Bank of Montreal not to mention a number of leading Advertising Agencies.
Studio Arts Center - In the 90's he became the driving force behind converting underutilized warehouse space in the port lands of Toronto into Canada's largest and greenest co-op visual arts center with over 25,000 square feet of studios. It featured a rooftop garden, and restaurant powered by solar energy and a human focused interior design. Structured as a communication arts collective, the Studio Arts Center housed studio space for film productions, photography studios, recording and rehearsal studios, a prop shop, wardrobe loft, classrooms, a gallery, a display and sign workshop all of which in turn supported dozens of associated enterprises.
He saw the Studio Arts Center as having the potential to be a model creative resource center, that could put Toronto's communications industry on a par with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
He saw the Studio Arts Center as having the potential to be a model creative resource center, that could put Toronto's communications industry on a par with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
It was also good for the Insight Group. It's Film Studio had a 4000 sq ft sound stage and the Photo Studio was also over 4000 sq ft so it had the ability to handle much larger projects.
Having all the resources for complete productions under one roof was also a huge strategic advantage. That along with the studio's proximity to downtown and the waterfront was bringing more work from the Ad Agencies and Corporate clients.
To say that the Studio Arts Center project was ambitious is perhaps an understatement. It occupied a complete city block and had created a community of symbiotic creative enterprises that together created an entire matrix of communication services.
The proximity and teamwork that characterized the Studio Arts Center was facilitating highly efficient production.
Having all the resources for complete productions under one roof was also a huge strategic advantage. That along with the studio's proximity to downtown and the waterfront was bringing more work from the Ad Agencies and Corporate clients.
To say that the Studio Arts Center project was ambitious is perhaps an understatement. It occupied a complete city block and had created a community of symbiotic creative enterprises that together created an entire matrix of communication services.
The proximity and teamwork that characterized the Studio Arts Center was facilitating highly efficient production.
The Epiphany - In many ways it was the best of times and the worst of times. Within a few years, The Studio Arts Center was already attracting LA film companies and music video productions, and all the creative enterprises in the complex were growing, but the magnitude of the project beginning to take a toll on Garnet. The early years saw him working 360 days a year and the days were long. He was fully aware that his true gifts were as a story teller, and when working as a communications artist he felt he was on his purpose in life. Yet this project had moved him behind a desk much more than he had ever imagined. Too much of his time was being taken up with property management issues and time available for his creative work was shrinking. His relationship, his health and as time passed his enthusiasm for the work, were all suffering as a consequence. He was aware that the frenetic activity running the Studio Arts Center was consumed his life so he knew things had to change.
Garnet had been nurturing the growth of the project and mentoring the organizations that had taken up residence in the complex and felt the need to support everyone's en-devours. Though the Studio Arts Center had the potential to contribute significantly to the communication arts industry in Toronto, for Garnet it was lacking the higher purpose he was looking for. Burn out was on his horizon if he did not make a shift in his business focus. He was present to his purpose in life and aware that he was drifting away from what he had envisioned that he would be doing with his life.. So Garnet decided to hand the helm of the Studio Arts Centre to others and focus again on his own creative endeavors and his ability to be an agent of positive change. Interestingly, when the board of SAC tried to replace Garnet they soon realized that they had to hire three people just to replace what Garnet had been contributing to the project. But for Garnet it was a personal breakthrough that set the stage for greater things to come.
Garnet had been nurturing the growth of the project and mentoring the organizations that had taken up residence in the complex and felt the need to support everyone's en-devours. Though the Studio Arts Center had the potential to contribute significantly to the communication arts industry in Toronto, for Garnet it was lacking the higher purpose he was looking for. Burn out was on his horizon if he did not make a shift in his business focus. He was present to his purpose in life and aware that he was drifting away from what he had envisioned that he would be doing with his life.. So Garnet decided to hand the helm of the Studio Arts Centre to others and focus again on his own creative endeavors and his ability to be an agent of positive change. Interestingly, when the board of SAC tried to replace Garnet they soon realized that they had to hire three people just to replace what Garnet had been contributing to the project. But for Garnet it was a personal breakthrough that set the stage for greater things to come.
A Change In Direction - Another change was in motion. Garnet was aware that his agent was basically selling his time to the highest bidder. Unfortunately this meant that at times he was doing work or organizations that were not respecting human or environmental values. Though this was generating good revenues it had taken him away from his original desire to facilitate positive change in our society.
He moved to another agent with the commitment to only offer his services to organizations who's vision embraced the big picture and who had the ability to effect positive change. He also started to work on his life/work balance and take time for himself and his family. With a new agent and life plan, his work time would only be available to a select number of clients that were trying to have positive impacts.
Sustainable Enterprise - His business transformed as well. He launched Media Arts in 2001 which focuses on communications needs for ethical enterprises who want to have a positive impact. It grew and evolved into the Media Arts Group in 2014 which offers a complete set of communication resources but also brought digital communications to the tool box it was able to offer his clients. Garnet had been involved with web development since the internet was in diapers but he was bringing a new breed of internet savy communications specialist to his team, greatly enhancing the communications clout for his clients. MAGI Web Design is just one of the high powered off shoots of the Media Arts Group that is developing highly effective web sites for clients from coast to coast.
Garnet was much more comfortable with this refocus of his business direction and his life became much more congruent with his belief systems. His client list moved in the direction of organizations that were creating positive social and environmental impacts. It was a pivotal decision as it did not take long before his health and energy improved dramatically. His business became more focused and began to grow in its NGO and Eco sectors.
He takes pleasure in waking up every morning knowing that his day would create positive results. The re-focus of his initiatives has been life changing and in spite of dealing with a few health issues, before long he was back in the saddle creating solutions in his daily work. His stable of ethical clients was growing as were his enterprises. He has been able to facilitate resources to assist several new initiatives that focused on making life better for people and the planet.
Today Garnet McPherson is available as a speaker, coach or consultant and My Go To Expert is his exclusive agent.
Garnet was much more comfortable with this refocus of his business direction and his life became much more congruent with his belief systems. His client list moved in the direction of organizations that were creating positive social and environmental impacts. It was a pivotal decision as it did not take long before his health and energy improved dramatically. His business became more focused and began to grow in its NGO and Eco sectors.
He takes pleasure in waking up every morning knowing that his day would create positive results. The re-focus of his initiatives has been life changing and in spite of dealing with a few health issues, before long he was back in the saddle creating solutions in his daily work. His stable of ethical clients was growing as were his enterprises. He has been able to facilitate resources to assist several new initiatives that focused on making life better for people and the planet.
Today Garnet McPherson is available as a speaker, coach or consultant and My Go To Expert is his exclusive agent.
Our Studio - In 2010 Garnet began exploring innovative models for shared creative space based on a collective or co-operative approach. Our Studio was created in 2012 as a model of how a collective approach could incubate new and developing talent in the visual arts and communications industry. "This concept provides a safe haven where creative start-ups can develop and grow."
Our Studio has a complex of studio facilities. It is a membership-based Production and Post-Production network, providing a broad spectrum of support services for media professionals extending from writers through photographers to filmmakers. The resources available to members include: facilities, equipment, support services, as well as workshops, networking events, screenings and exhibitions.
Our Studio has a complex of studio facilities. It is a membership-based Production and Post-Production network, providing a broad spectrum of support services for media professionals extending from writers through photographers to filmmakers. The resources available to members include: facilities, equipment, support services, as well as workshops, networking events, screenings and exhibitions.
Our Studio is an artist-run collective, which facilitates a collaborative approach that provides help and support from other working professionals.
McPherson described it in a recent interview "Our Studio is an artist-run collective that has an entire creative campus for communication professionals with facilities, equipment and mentoring to help independent creators design, develop and distribute their creative projects."
The bonus is that this kind of creative incubator provides the kind of professional development that is a huge asset to community economic development. It grows small enterprise which is what drives job creation in any community.
McPherson described it in a recent interview "Our Studio is an artist-run collective that has an entire creative campus for communication professionals with facilities, equipment and mentoring to help independent creators design, develop and distribute their creative projects."
The bonus is that this kind of creative incubator provides the kind of professional development that is a huge asset to community economic development. It grows small enterprise which is what drives job creation in any community.
The Ecopreneur - Garnet has been called a "man for all seasons" and his talents and interests are wide and varied but he has always been a dedicated naturalist and environmentalist. In fact most of his Life he has devoted a great deal of his time supporting arts, environmental or natural health causes.
By the late 90's Garnet felt that his work and his values were beginning to sing the same song. This new synergy facilitated many new possibilities , more energy and some say his his greatest accomplishments. His business transformed as well. It became Media Arts and focuses on communications needs for ethical enterprises who want to have a positive impact.
By the late 90's Garnet felt that his work and his values were beginning to sing the same song. This new synergy facilitated many new possibilities , more energy and some say his his greatest accomplishments. His business transformed as well. It became Media Arts and focuses on communications needs for ethical enterprises who want to have a positive impact.
The Eco Center - The return to the values of his youth was a turning point for Garnet that has effected every aspect of his life. This is when Garnet began building the Earthwalk Eco Education Center in Northumberland's rolling hills east of Toronto. The mission of Earthwalk was to raise consciousness about sustainable solutions to our social and environmental issues. He was able to apply all his communication talents into facilitating agents of change. The starting point was the creation of Earthwalk. Through over 100 workshops, seminars and courses Garnet and his family and volunteers would share information and techniques for healthy and environmentally responsible living. Earthwalk was in deed conceived in response to a growing need in this country to move towards a more sustainable and healthy society. As McPherson put it... "Creating a sustainable life now is not only critical to our quality of life of this generation, but also that of our children and our children's children." With this in mind, he brought together a dedicated group of eco educators that pooled resources at Earthwalk to bring together tangible and practical solutions to many of our sustainability issues.
Earthwalk offered a variety of sustainable living educational experiences for all ages and backgrounds. "Our educational programs featured workshops, seminars, courses, and hands-on volunteer opportunities in sustainable living, natural health, healthy homes, organic gardening, green construction, environmental action, conservation, planetary survival and related themes."
The eco educators Earthwalk was attracting were developing everything from Planetary Games for grade school children to course content for high schools and universities. The focus of these efforts was to have a real impact on creating a sustainable future. Garnet understands that a revolution in education is the only way we will be able to shift our culture into one that is truly sustainable.
"It is no doubt a time of awakening but my concern revolves around the speed at which man's awareness of his relationship with our natural world expands. We are at the point where we need to learn about, understand and defend the very life support systems that nature provides. From a human perspective Earth’s biodiversity is a profound and amazing gift and needs to be cherished, preserved and protected. However mankind seems to demonstrate a strange combination of arrogance and ignorance as without hesitation he is willing to destroy that which does not yet even understand. That needs to change. "
Earthwalk offered a variety of sustainable living educational experiences for all ages and backgrounds. "Our educational programs featured workshops, seminars, courses, and hands-on volunteer opportunities in sustainable living, natural health, healthy homes, organic gardening, green construction, environmental action, conservation, planetary survival and related themes."
The eco educators Earthwalk was attracting were developing everything from Planetary Games for grade school children to course content for high schools and universities. The focus of these efforts was to have a real impact on creating a sustainable future. Garnet understands that a revolution in education is the only way we will be able to shift our culture into one that is truly sustainable.
"It is no doubt a time of awakening but my concern revolves around the speed at which man's awareness of his relationship with our natural world expands. We are at the point where we need to learn about, understand and defend the very life support systems that nature provides. From a human perspective Earth’s biodiversity is a profound and amazing gift and needs to be cherished, preserved and protected. However mankind seems to demonstrate a strange combination of arrogance and ignorance as without hesitation he is willing to destroy that which does not yet even understand. That needs to change. "
Eco Magazine - To extend these intellectual assets beyond Ontario Garnet and his team launched Sustainable Living Magazine in 2001. A magazine completely dedicated to the technology and techniques of living a healthy and sustainable life. Garnet has been working as a journalist for many decades and comes from a time in journalism when integrity and professionalism were paramount. So he was happy to take on a journal devoted to a subject he was so passionate about. However once he started to project he found dozens of writers and expert contributors that were willing to contribute content that could help raise awareness about environmental issues and solutions.
Garnet was the managing editor of the magazine and wrote many of the articles but he also had David Suzuki writing about how Science Matters, Ray Anderson writing about Green business and Al Gore contributed content about he climate crisis and many more talented experts providing content for the magazine.
Sustainable Living Magazine was all about bringing the tools, information and expertise together to help each of us and all of us create a sustainable future in our lives and on the planet. The staff of the magazine believed that our answers reside in the world of possibilities and they intended to explore all the possibilities to live a healthy and sustainable life with its readers.
Garnet was the managing editor of the magazine and wrote many of the articles but he also had David Suzuki writing about how Science Matters, Ray Anderson writing about Green business and Al Gore contributed content about he climate crisis and many more talented experts providing content for the magazine.
Sustainable Living Magazine was all about bringing the tools, information and expertise together to help each of us and all of us create a sustainable future in our lives and on the planet. The staff of the magazine believed that our answers reside in the world of possibilities and they intended to explore all the possibilities to live a healthy and sustainable life with its readers.
In the Planet Watch section we helped our readers explore what is happening on earth from many perspectives. We looked at our Climate In Crisis, our diminishing Biodiversity, the state of our Environment, from Fresh Air, Clean Water, Rich Earth to our Forests and Wildlife. We looked at what is happening in our Biosphere and how it affects not only the human species, but the complex living systems that we are so dependent on. David Suzuki contributed a regular column to this section called Science Matters.
SLM's Living Green section focused our attention on all the things that people were doing and could be doing to take care of our environment and ensure that our planet would be a wonderful place to live for generations to come. The magazine was published for 10 years and got a great deal of positive feedback. When Earthwalk closed it doors the team putting it together had to regroup and assess how to carry the torch forward.
SLM's Eco Action Section was all about those that are acting and those that want to be agents of positive change. It is about becoming an active part of educating fellow citizens, influencing public policy and leveraging the media exposures available to raise awareness about environmental issues. Al Gore and other leaders generously contributed content to this section, with the intention of being a catalyst for increasing engagement in environmental action.
All in all SLM was one of the most successful endeavors undertaken at Earthwalk and the magazine looks like to will be relaunched under the new masthead of the Greenzine perhaps sometime in 2019.
All in all SLM was one of the most successful endeavors undertaken at Earthwalk and the magazine looks like to will be relaunched under the new masthead of the Greenzine perhaps sometime in 2019.
Down To Earth - At the same time the real bonus personally for Garnet was that by living at Earthwalk while developing the programming for the centre and the content for the magazine, he was able to enjoy invaluable time with his kids. Earthwalk was a group effort. There were lots of volunteers and visitors from other lands to see and at times get involved in Earthwalk' vision, but the crew that always kept things going was the family. Each participating in their own way. Each adding their own insights and skills to the challenge before them. It was never easy but it was always rewarding.
To a great extent North American Families have left the old country values of an extended family behind. In Europe families tend to stay connected sometimes even close by. That extended family works much like a tribe with the wisdom of elders mixing with the energy of youth, all making the tribe stronger and more secure. The concept of a tribe where there are 30 or more stakeholders in the success of each member, is a rich and nurturing space to grow up in. But this sense of connection has been disappearing in our society and even in the native cultures that we could have learned so much from. Garnet wanted to do his best to create and maintain that sense tribe at Earthwalk.
To a great extent North American Families have left the old country values of an extended family behind. In Europe families tend to stay connected sometimes even close by. That extended family works much like a tribe with the wisdom of elders mixing with the energy of youth, all making the tribe stronger and more secure. The concept of a tribe where there are 30 or more stakeholders in the success of each member, is a rich and nurturing space to grow up in. But this sense of connection has been disappearing in our society and even in the native cultures that we could have learned so much from. Garnet wanted to do his best to create and maintain that sense tribe at Earthwalk.
For Garnet our children always represent hope for the future. By being immersed in the activities at the Eco Education Centre, he hoped that visitors and importantly his own family would be able "to appreciate our connection to the natural world and learn life skills that would prepare them for anything they may encounter on their journey through life."
Garnet took his role as a Dad very seriously. "I put off having children because I didn't feel I knew enough to do a good job of it until I had lived through a few of the challenges life presents. None of us are perfect parents and its unfortunate that for such and important en-devour, for most of us, its on the job training. We do our best to learn the best approach as parents but even that is a constantly moving target. I also wanted to create a space in my life where I could be emotionally and intellectually available to my children as they evolve.
I hoped to be truly present to what each step would mean down the road as my children faced their own challenges. However no matter how much you think you have prepared yourself for being a parent you soon learn that you learn more from having them in your life than you could possibly have imagined. "
"The perpetual challenge of parenting is in keeping ones eye on the future and how to prepare your children not for the world of today or yesterday, but for world they will inherit. I suppose the true measure of our overall success as parents is always reflected in the quality of life and the vitality of the society our children will eventually create."
"If we are doing our best as parents, we will demonstrate the power of teamwork and how a tribe (or family) can always be looking out for each other, protecting, nurturing, and encouraging each member on their journey towards a successful life."
"Earthwalk was an opportunity to explore and demonstrate our ability to work with what nature provides to create healthy and sustainable life styles." Garnet hoped that living, playing and learning at an eco centre would bring a set of grounded values into his families life. By putting best practices into action at Earthwalk, he could show his children and visitors to the center the intricate connections and the potential of mutual symbiosis between human beings and our environment. He felt that one of most important thing they could learn was that "the natural world was mankind's life support system and had to be protected and cherished for what it really is."
Garnet took his role as a Dad very seriously. "I put off having children because I didn't feel I knew enough to do a good job of it until I had lived through a few of the challenges life presents. None of us are perfect parents and its unfortunate that for such and important en-devour, for most of us, its on the job training. We do our best to learn the best approach as parents but even that is a constantly moving target. I also wanted to create a space in my life where I could be emotionally and intellectually available to my children as they evolve.
I hoped to be truly present to what each step would mean down the road as my children faced their own challenges. However no matter how much you think you have prepared yourself for being a parent you soon learn that you learn more from having them in your life than you could possibly have imagined. "
"The perpetual challenge of parenting is in keeping ones eye on the future and how to prepare your children not for the world of today or yesterday, but for world they will inherit. I suppose the true measure of our overall success as parents is always reflected in the quality of life and the vitality of the society our children will eventually create."
"If we are doing our best as parents, we will demonstrate the power of teamwork and how a tribe (or family) can always be looking out for each other, protecting, nurturing, and encouraging each member on their journey towards a successful life."
"Earthwalk was an opportunity to explore and demonstrate our ability to work with what nature provides to create healthy and sustainable life styles." Garnet hoped that living, playing and learning at an eco centre would bring a set of grounded values into his families life. By putting best practices into action at Earthwalk, he could show his children and visitors to the center the intricate connections and the potential of mutual symbiosis between human beings and our environment. He felt that one of most important thing they could learn was that "the natural world was mankind's life support system and had to be protected and cherished for what it really is."
Garnet McPherson is an adventurer at heart. He has been called a man for all seasons because of his wide and varied interests but unlike most people who might read, watch a movie or take a course about their interests, Garnet gets involved and fully participates in his passions. As a consequence he has had many adventures during his life. As his agent at My Go To Expert's Speakers Bureau I have encouraged him to share the stories of these adventures as part of his key note talks. He at first was resistant, but I wore him down til he began to share some of his extraordinary experiences. Here is a snap shot of just a few of his many adventures.
Under Sail
Garnet is a seasoned sailor. He has been sailing since his youth and truly loves being at sea. As a child he read an account in National Geographic of a teenager who had sailed around the world single handed. He watched all of Jacque Cousteau's documentaries about life in the ocean. Amongst his family and friends he would share these stories with anyone who would listen. So to know ones surprise diving and sailing became embedded in his vision of the life he wanted to live.
He knew he wanted to explore the worlds oceans and as a young adult he spent the better part of a decade searching for just the right sailboat to take him on a circumnavigation. He eventually found her in Dartmouth Nova Scotia in 1987.
Penny Royal was named after a medicinal herb used by British nobles. Designed by navel architect Ted Brewer, as a full keeled sloop suitable for offshore cruising, she was one of the first Douglas 31’s ever built. Registered as 331333, Penny Royal has perhaps one of the most interesting histories of any Douglas ever commissioned. Built in 1970 she was one of the earliest hulls produced by Douglas Marine Craft. She had a custom interior and rigging designed by Brewer himself and crafted by Douglas Marine for extended blue water cruising. She was commissioned in Port Stanley Ontario and there began her adventures. Penny Royal was a very strong and sea worthy craft with an 11 ton ¾” fiberglass hull, rigged with double spreaders and double back stays and even running back stays to handle extremely heavy weather. She had multiple water tanks so she could carry enough fresh water onboard to last on an extended voyage. Perhaps most notably Penny Royal was the first Douglas to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Her first owner John Wellman and his wife sailed "Penny Royal" across the Atlantic and back to Port Stanley, in Ontario. Her second owner sailed her in the great lakes and the eastern seaboard. After a long search Garnet McPherson had found his perfect boat and Penny Royal became his vessel of choice.
"I have sailed on many craft over the years, but once in a while a sailor finds a boat with which he develops what might be described as a "spiritual fellowship". In that sense Penny Royal was one of those special cases. We found each other in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. She needed a little TLC to bring her back to her original glory and I was the man to do it. It was an uncompromising labor of love. In consultation with the boats' designer I added little more ballast, Installed a slightly shorter mast and increased her sail area by transforming her from a sloop to a cutter rig. I made every square inch of the hull accessible for storage with a total of 72 storage compartments. I added triangular mast steps up the mast to I could easily service the radio antenna, an anemometer to measure wind speed and direction and a custom made camera mount that I installed so I could capture footage from the top of the mast. I added more sail selections to her sail inventory and three different anchors designed to hold fast in different types of anchorages. After this careful and strategic refit, she repaid my kindness by allowing me to sail her in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Great Lakes. Together we had many adventures. The first and by no means the least was on her maiden voyage after her refit."
The maiden voyage for any vessel is a special occasion, but Garnet had spent many years in preparation for this moment and he felt that time at sea on Penny Royal would on some level be a sacred time that carries an opportunity to share experiences and and connect with others in a uniquely intense way. So Garnet was very careful when selecting who he would invite onboard to share in his first grand adventure on Penny Royal.
Garnet is a relatively private man and the friends he allows into his life tend to be very special people, so its no surprise that the crew Garnet had assembled for this voyage were extraordinary by any measure.
Garnet is a seasoned sailor. He has been sailing since his youth and truly loves being at sea. As a child he read an account in National Geographic of a teenager who had sailed around the world single handed. He watched all of Jacque Cousteau's documentaries about life in the ocean. Amongst his family and friends he would share these stories with anyone who would listen. So to know ones surprise diving and sailing became embedded in his vision of the life he wanted to live.
He knew he wanted to explore the worlds oceans and as a young adult he spent the better part of a decade searching for just the right sailboat to take him on a circumnavigation. He eventually found her in Dartmouth Nova Scotia in 1987.
Penny Royal was named after a medicinal herb used by British nobles. Designed by navel architect Ted Brewer, as a full keeled sloop suitable for offshore cruising, she was one of the first Douglas 31’s ever built. Registered as 331333, Penny Royal has perhaps one of the most interesting histories of any Douglas ever commissioned. Built in 1970 she was one of the earliest hulls produced by Douglas Marine Craft. She had a custom interior and rigging designed by Brewer himself and crafted by Douglas Marine for extended blue water cruising. She was commissioned in Port Stanley Ontario and there began her adventures. Penny Royal was a very strong and sea worthy craft with an 11 ton ¾” fiberglass hull, rigged with double spreaders and double back stays and even running back stays to handle extremely heavy weather. She had multiple water tanks so she could carry enough fresh water onboard to last on an extended voyage. Perhaps most notably Penny Royal was the first Douglas to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Her first owner John Wellman and his wife sailed "Penny Royal" across the Atlantic and back to Port Stanley, in Ontario. Her second owner sailed her in the great lakes and the eastern seaboard. After a long search Garnet McPherson had found his perfect boat and Penny Royal became his vessel of choice.
"I have sailed on many craft over the years, but once in a while a sailor finds a boat with which he develops what might be described as a "spiritual fellowship". In that sense Penny Royal was one of those special cases. We found each other in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. She needed a little TLC to bring her back to her original glory and I was the man to do it. It was an uncompromising labor of love. In consultation with the boats' designer I added little more ballast, Installed a slightly shorter mast and increased her sail area by transforming her from a sloop to a cutter rig. I made every square inch of the hull accessible for storage with a total of 72 storage compartments. I added triangular mast steps up the mast to I could easily service the radio antenna, an anemometer to measure wind speed and direction and a custom made camera mount that I installed so I could capture footage from the top of the mast. I added more sail selections to her sail inventory and three different anchors designed to hold fast in different types of anchorages. After this careful and strategic refit, she repaid my kindness by allowing me to sail her in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Great Lakes. Together we had many adventures. The first and by no means the least was on her maiden voyage after her refit."
The maiden voyage for any vessel is a special occasion, but Garnet had spent many years in preparation for this moment and he felt that time at sea on Penny Royal would on some level be a sacred time that carries an opportunity to share experiences and and connect with others in a uniquely intense way. So Garnet was very careful when selecting who he would invite onboard to share in his first grand adventure on Penny Royal.
Garnet is a relatively private man and the friends he allows into his life tend to be very special people, so its no surprise that the crew Garnet had assembled for this voyage were extraordinary by any measure.
"The friends I took with me on this voyage were all seasoned sailors but more importantly to me, they were all and truly remarkable human beings.
Antonne Tyukodi (stage name Tye Cody) was a true athlete and kept himself in top shape for his career as a stuntman and as a stunt co-coordinator in the Toronto film industry. Tye was an intelligent risk taker who carefully calculated and tested the variables before he attempted a stunt. He more than any other man I knew was aware of his own capabilities in extreme circumstances. What others saw as his unusual courage, I saw as a well trained and thoroughly prepared and talented professional who knew what he was doing. A true social animal Tye lived on a Catamaran moored at Pier 4 on the Toronto waterfront 30 steps from a night club. After hours his boat seemed to have an ongoing party going on almost every night of the week. We shared a sense of adventure but one of the reasons I appreciated his friendship was his unstoppable sense of humor. What ever direction the conversation would take, Tye could find a humorous take on it, that kept the crews in smiles and frequent belly laughs.
John Lemon was a craftsman and mechanical wizard, who in his home port was building a faro-cement sail boat in preparation for living aboard and an eventual grand voyage. He was the silent sage of the crew, quietly listening to the banter of the rest of the crew and when the conversation lulled might add an insightful comment or alternative perspective that often lead to a whole new thread to the conversation.
Gerry Roufs was an expert sailor with an uncanny ability to read the wind and sense the song in the sails. He had established an impressive reputation as a racer, partly due to his intuitive ability to read the waves and the wind around him. Though all the crew were avid sailors, Gerry carried an energy and level of awareness which enabled him to interpret the subtle movement of the boat and rigging with an intensity that left the rest of the crew looking at each other like we were in the presence of a psychic.
Though I never found a way to fully express it to them, I knew well that I was truly privileged to have these gentleman as friends and to share time with them under sail."
Antonne Tyukodi (stage name Tye Cody) was a true athlete and kept himself in top shape for his career as a stuntman and as a stunt co-coordinator in the Toronto film industry. Tye was an intelligent risk taker who carefully calculated and tested the variables before he attempted a stunt. He more than any other man I knew was aware of his own capabilities in extreme circumstances. What others saw as his unusual courage, I saw as a well trained and thoroughly prepared and talented professional who knew what he was doing. A true social animal Tye lived on a Catamaran moored at Pier 4 on the Toronto waterfront 30 steps from a night club. After hours his boat seemed to have an ongoing party going on almost every night of the week. We shared a sense of adventure but one of the reasons I appreciated his friendship was his unstoppable sense of humor. What ever direction the conversation would take, Tye could find a humorous take on it, that kept the crews in smiles and frequent belly laughs.
John Lemon was a craftsman and mechanical wizard, who in his home port was building a faro-cement sail boat in preparation for living aboard and an eventual grand voyage. He was the silent sage of the crew, quietly listening to the banter of the rest of the crew and when the conversation lulled might add an insightful comment or alternative perspective that often lead to a whole new thread to the conversation.
Gerry Roufs was an expert sailor with an uncanny ability to read the wind and sense the song in the sails. He had established an impressive reputation as a racer, partly due to his intuitive ability to read the waves and the wind around him. Though all the crew were avid sailors, Gerry carried an energy and level of awareness which enabled him to interpret the subtle movement of the boat and rigging with an intensity that left the rest of the crew looking at each other like we were in the presence of a psychic.
Though I never found a way to fully express it to them, I knew well that I was truly privileged to have these gentleman as friends and to share time with them under sail."
In September of 1987, Garnet McPherson, this crew of friends that included Toronto stunt man Antonne Tyukodi , and seasoned sailor and boat builder John Lemon, and competitive racer from Montreal Gerry Roufs , set out for what was intended to be a months tour of the Caribbean Islands.
It began as a pleasant voyage. They had decided on 4 hour watches with two on deck for each watch. One on the helm sailing the ship and one on watch and available to adjust the rig as needed. This translated into a rythum of 4 hours of working, sleeping, or relaxing on the boat followed by 4 hours on watch. Garnet took charge of navigation duties and insisted on being on the helm when entering or leaving ports of call. He monitored the detailed marine weather forecasts and managed the ships marine and short wave radio communications. His real passion was tuning the set of the sails for best performance and feeling the signals Penny Royal sent to his touch on the rudder. Garnet loved being at sail anytime but when offshore he liked to be on the helm on the night watch as he truly enjoyed sailing under star lit skys.
"At night there are quiet moments with light winds, when the Penny Royal seemed to slip effortlessly and almost silently through the water that sparkled in the moon light. Like a glowing after image marking our course, bioluminescent algae was lighting up the trail we were leaving behind the boat as it slipped though the glistening waves. Occasionally a whale would surface beside the boat to take a breath. During the day the sun glistened off the waves and we enjoyed several whale encounters and a little trolling over the rail. The first sea lunch of a fresh caught fish was a cause for celebration. Sailing on the ocean is always an inspiring experience for me. The sun and the waves and the rhythm of the voyage creates a remarkable mantra when at sea that creates a context for profound introspection and reflection and if you are lucky occasional insights into the nature of your life.
Immersing oneself in nature helps to ground you when you need it most. When I am away from the hustle and bustle of daily life it is not unusual to find myself often being overwhelmed with gratitude for the people and experiences I have had the privilege to have in my life. It also provides an opportunity to explore the state of ones life and ones vision for the future."
The voyage was going well and the crew was enjoying each day like the adventure the it was. These were typical days at sea, punctuated by occasional sightings of sail boats, yachts and freighters mostly passing in the distance. Occasionally a vessel passed close enough to wave to the fellow voyagers on board. Conversations on the marine radio were mostly about the coming weather or sea conditions or perhaps a floating hazard that had been spotted, but on occasion would evolve into personal exchanges that would reveal a little about the character of the other mariners passing by. But for the most part the social life revolved around the other members of the crew.
It began as a pleasant voyage. They had decided on 4 hour watches with two on deck for each watch. One on the helm sailing the ship and one on watch and available to adjust the rig as needed. This translated into a rythum of 4 hours of working, sleeping, or relaxing on the boat followed by 4 hours on watch. Garnet took charge of navigation duties and insisted on being on the helm when entering or leaving ports of call. He monitored the detailed marine weather forecasts and managed the ships marine and short wave radio communications. His real passion was tuning the set of the sails for best performance and feeling the signals Penny Royal sent to his touch on the rudder. Garnet loved being at sail anytime but when offshore he liked to be on the helm on the night watch as he truly enjoyed sailing under star lit skys.
"At night there are quiet moments with light winds, when the Penny Royal seemed to slip effortlessly and almost silently through the water that sparkled in the moon light. Like a glowing after image marking our course, bioluminescent algae was lighting up the trail we were leaving behind the boat as it slipped though the glistening waves. Occasionally a whale would surface beside the boat to take a breath. During the day the sun glistened off the waves and we enjoyed several whale encounters and a little trolling over the rail. The first sea lunch of a fresh caught fish was a cause for celebration. Sailing on the ocean is always an inspiring experience for me. The sun and the waves and the rhythm of the voyage creates a remarkable mantra when at sea that creates a context for profound introspection and reflection and if you are lucky occasional insights into the nature of your life.
Immersing oneself in nature helps to ground you when you need it most. When I am away from the hustle and bustle of daily life it is not unusual to find myself often being overwhelmed with gratitude for the people and experiences I have had the privilege to have in my life. It also provides an opportunity to explore the state of ones life and ones vision for the future."
The voyage was going well and the crew was enjoying each day like the adventure the it was. These were typical days at sea, punctuated by occasional sightings of sail boats, yachts and freighters mostly passing in the distance. Occasionally a vessel passed close enough to wave to the fellow voyagers on board. Conversations on the marine radio were mostly about the coming weather or sea conditions or perhaps a floating hazard that had been spotted, but on occasion would evolve into personal exchanges that would reveal a little about the character of the other mariners passing by. But for the most part the social life revolved around the other members of the crew.
One day they were all but becalmed which they took in their stride as it does happen once in a while. They flew a light weight genie in hopes of catching any air that came their way, but it just hung most of the time and they were making almost no progress at all for about 16 hours. Nothing was happening. It was time for a nap and so they all stretched out on the deck for a well deserved snooze.
"Suddenly Gerry yelled out "We have traffic!" We open our eyes to see an enormous Chinese container ship bearing down on us and moving at quite a clip. Gerry who was officially on watch had fallen asleep with his hand on the tiller. He said he had been roused by a vibrations he felt on the tiller and the distant sounds of the container ships engines. As we all woke and looked up we saw a massive ship only about 1500 yards away and heading straight for us. We could see no one on the ship and with binoculars no heads seemed to be visible on the bridge. It was a massive ship several stories high with layer upon layer of containers stacked as high as a skyscraper. For the first few seconds we yelled and waved our hands but saw no one on the ship. I grabbed for our flare gun and shot a flare up directly in front of the bridge but got no response. Tye said "its on dam auto pilot and who ever should be on the bridge must be taking a leak!"
The ship was now 800 yards from us . John scrambled to see if he could get the genoa sail to fill and take us out of the ships path but the ocean was still and not a wisp of wind would catch the sail. So he grabbed the air horn and gave it a blast. Tye got a few paddles out of a sail locker and we tried to create enough way for the rudder to steer us away from the approaching bow of the ship but Penny Royal was 11 tons and as we realized that our furious paddling was having little effect, we started to feel like sitting ducks. As this mass of steel approached we were sweating bullets imagining being run over by a monster. The ship was now 400 yards away and the pressure on our rudder was slowly begining to turn Penny Royal so we would at least not be broadside to the ships bow but in the heat of the moment it seemed like this infintesimal amount of movement was taking for ever.
"Suddenly Gerry yelled out "We have traffic!" We open our eyes to see an enormous Chinese container ship bearing down on us and moving at quite a clip. Gerry who was officially on watch had fallen asleep with his hand on the tiller. He said he had been roused by a vibrations he felt on the tiller and the distant sounds of the container ships engines. As we all woke and looked up we saw a massive ship only about 1500 yards away and heading straight for us. We could see no one on the ship and with binoculars no heads seemed to be visible on the bridge. It was a massive ship several stories high with layer upon layer of containers stacked as high as a skyscraper. For the first few seconds we yelled and waved our hands but saw no one on the ship. I grabbed for our flare gun and shot a flare up directly in front of the bridge but got no response. Tye said "its on dam auto pilot and who ever should be on the bridge must be taking a leak!"
The ship was now 800 yards from us . John scrambled to see if he could get the genoa sail to fill and take us out of the ships path but the ocean was still and not a wisp of wind would catch the sail. So he grabbed the air horn and gave it a blast. Tye got a few paddles out of a sail locker and we tried to create enough way for the rudder to steer us away from the approaching bow of the ship but Penny Royal was 11 tons and as we realized that our furious paddling was having little effect, we started to feel like sitting ducks. As this mass of steel approached we were sweating bullets imagining being run over by a monster. The ship was now 400 yards away and the pressure on our rudder was slowly begining to turn Penny Royal so we would at least not be broadside to the ships bow but in the heat of the moment it seemed like this infintesimal amount of movement was taking for ever.
We were all wide eyed as this massive wall of steel began to tower over us and at 200 yards I had just finished undoing the straps on our dingy and started tossing life jackets to the crew. We had done all we could and I saw John turn away and close his eyes as the ship approached impact."
Well it turned out that their troubled efforts to turn Penny Royal towards the ship to reduce the exposed profile had made a difference. "We ended up about 10 feet off its starboard bow when it passed by. The bow wave rocked Penny Royal so violently that we all were grabbing for anything we could hang onto. As Penny Royal rocked back toward the ship her spreaders banged loudly against the hull of this massive ship but did not break. The bow wave that the ship created pushed us aside and as the wall of steel passed beside us, we began to feel a sense of relief.
As its stern passed us Penny Royal was still rocking from the huge ships wake, but we could see a lone seaman working on the rear deck still completely oblivious to our presence. We were all still in shock and watched silently as the stern of the container ship disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. Tye finally said "It might be a good time to pray for a breeze, we are clearly crossing the shipping lanes now." No one else spoke for several minutes and needless to say, no one returned to their nap."
Well it turned out that their troubled efforts to turn Penny Royal towards the ship to reduce the exposed profile had made a difference. "We ended up about 10 feet off its starboard bow when it passed by. The bow wave rocked Penny Royal so violently that we all were grabbing for anything we could hang onto. As Penny Royal rocked back toward the ship her spreaders banged loudly against the hull of this massive ship but did not break. The bow wave that the ship created pushed us aside and as the wall of steel passed beside us, we began to feel a sense of relief.
As its stern passed us Penny Royal was still rocking from the huge ships wake, but we could see a lone seaman working on the rear deck still completely oblivious to our presence. We were all still in shock and watched silently as the stern of the container ship disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. Tye finally said "It might be a good time to pray for a breeze, we are clearly crossing the shipping lanes now." No one else spoke for several minutes and needless to say, no one returned to their nap."
Eventually John wondered out loud "Was that the proverbial calm before a storm or an omen of things to come? " Tye reacted with "Don't jinx this voyage John it will all be fine. We just need to drink a little more coffee!"
As the breeze returned the spirits of the crew grew as well. The crew Garnet had assembled for this voyage were all remarkable people in their own right and the conversations were informative and stimulating. "There was no place for boredom onboard. When not on watch there was always something to do or to think about or to share. I was keeping abreast of the weather forecasts , navigation and updating the ships log. I was also bound and determined to have fresh seafood everyday so I also tended to the fishing lines we trailed behind the boat. One of Tye's many talents was as a knotsmith and he spent the first days onboard crafting safety harnesses for each member of the crew that could snap on to any of the rigging on a moments notice. He also kept us all in good humor with his jokes and entertaining stories. John spent time maintaining the teak trim on the boat and gladly took on the Galley duties and the challenge of creating tasty meals out of the stores we had on board. Gerry spent the first few days tuning the rigging and organizing the ships gear all while sharing his insights into getting the most performance out of ones sails and and reading the waters and the wind. Its hard not to be in a good mood at times like this and the laughter and smiles filled our days and even the occasional song would erupt from our midst. We all shared a sense of anticipation of what this voyage would bring our way, but none of us had an inkling of test it was to become."
As the breeze returned the spirits of the crew grew as well. The crew Garnet had assembled for this voyage were all remarkable people in their own right and the conversations were informative and stimulating. "There was no place for boredom onboard. When not on watch there was always something to do or to think about or to share. I was keeping abreast of the weather forecasts , navigation and updating the ships log. I was also bound and determined to have fresh seafood everyday so I also tended to the fishing lines we trailed behind the boat. One of Tye's many talents was as a knotsmith and he spent the first days onboard crafting safety harnesses for each member of the crew that could snap on to any of the rigging on a moments notice. He also kept us all in good humor with his jokes and entertaining stories. John spent time maintaining the teak trim on the boat and gladly took on the Galley duties and the challenge of creating tasty meals out of the stores we had on board. Gerry spent the first few days tuning the rigging and organizing the ships gear all while sharing his insights into getting the most performance out of ones sails and and reading the waters and the wind. Its hard not to be in a good mood at times like this and the laughter and smiles filled our days and even the occasional song would erupt from our midst. We all shared a sense of anticipation of what this voyage would bring our way, but none of us had an inkling of test it was to become."
Penny Royal in the mean time was proving the faith that Garnet had in her. She was preforming and handling like a dream. During the refit Garnet had installed a hand crafted wind vane that he was testing during the early days of the voyage. It consisted of a six square foot contoured plywood "flag or vane" rigidly attached to a shaft that engaged an aluminum disk with notches every 5 degrees around its perimeter. There was a cam that could be dropped into the appropriate notch that would align the vane with the wind direction. The disk was attached to two lines which were fed through a series of pulleys and eventually were attached from the right and left to the beautifully laminated teak and mahogany handle of Penny's rudder. When the ship drifted off or into the wind the pressure of the wind on the vane would increase on one side and effectively push the rudder to the side that would correct the course. The end result is that the wind vane would keep Penny Royal holding the same track relative to the wind.
Garnet call it his "Helmsvane" or "Helmy" for short. As a first generation prototype it was a little rustic if not down right ugly for Garnet's liking but this voyage was its proof of concept so he spent no breath apologizing for its appearance.
"The only thing I was not sure of when we set out, was if my wind vane design would actually hold a course and hold up to the rigors of an ocean voyage. I was delighted to discover that it was rugged enough to take a beating and still able to maintain a plus or minus three degree course when set with care"
Helmy would enable Garnet, (when required), to leave the helm long enough to go below to make a cup of tea or make navigational notes or to go forward on the deck to adjust sails. "I intended to be able to single hand Penny Royal and having a functional wind vane would open up that world of possibilities."
Penny Royal had already earned her creds as the first Douglas to cross the Atlantic with the Wellmans, but not long after a thoughtful refit crafted by Garnet McPherson, Penny Royal would be confronted with an unprecedented challenge to her seaworthiness. She was about to become the first Douglas to be fully challenged in a hurricane.
Hurricane Emily forming out of a tropical disturbance that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 20, the storm quickly attained hurricane status before undergoing rapid intensification. At its peak intensity it had winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 958 mbar. It made landfall in the Dominican Republic, then undergoing a second phase of rapid intensification before passing directly over Bermuda on September 25. Hurricane Emily brought heavy rains and strong winds in the Windward Islands, leaving numerous homes damaged and severe losses in the banana industry. It then and rapidly tracked northeastward towards Nova Scotia and on into the Atlantic Ocean. Three people were killed by the storm about 20 were seriously injured and total damages amounted to $80 million.
On September 26th Penny Royal, a 31 foot cutter rigged sailboat and it's crew of four were in its path SW of Nova Scotia. The seas and winds had been building for two days. Garnet and his crew were heading for a safe harbor behind Cape Cod in Rhode Island. But the hurricane was closing in on them while still hundreds of miles offshore, they all knew the race to port was a race they could not win.
Garnet call it his "Helmsvane" or "Helmy" for short. As a first generation prototype it was a little rustic if not down right ugly for Garnet's liking but this voyage was its proof of concept so he spent no breath apologizing for its appearance.
"The only thing I was not sure of when we set out, was if my wind vane design would actually hold a course and hold up to the rigors of an ocean voyage. I was delighted to discover that it was rugged enough to take a beating and still able to maintain a plus or minus three degree course when set with care"
Helmy would enable Garnet, (when required), to leave the helm long enough to go below to make a cup of tea or make navigational notes or to go forward on the deck to adjust sails. "I intended to be able to single hand Penny Royal and having a functional wind vane would open up that world of possibilities."
Penny Royal had already earned her creds as the first Douglas to cross the Atlantic with the Wellmans, but not long after a thoughtful refit crafted by Garnet McPherson, Penny Royal would be confronted with an unprecedented challenge to her seaworthiness. She was about to become the first Douglas to be fully challenged in a hurricane.
Hurricane Emily forming out of a tropical disturbance that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 20, the storm quickly attained hurricane status before undergoing rapid intensification. At its peak intensity it had winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 958 mbar. It made landfall in the Dominican Republic, then undergoing a second phase of rapid intensification before passing directly over Bermuda on September 25. Hurricane Emily brought heavy rains and strong winds in the Windward Islands, leaving numerous homes damaged and severe losses in the banana industry. It then and rapidly tracked northeastward towards Nova Scotia and on into the Atlantic Ocean. Three people were killed by the storm about 20 were seriously injured and total damages amounted to $80 million.
On September 26th Penny Royal, a 31 foot cutter rigged sailboat and it's crew of four were in its path SW of Nova Scotia. The seas and winds had been building for two days. Garnet and his crew were heading for a safe harbor behind Cape Cod in Rhode Island. But the hurricane was closing in on them while still hundreds of miles offshore, they all knew the race to port was a race they could not win.
The reports over the weather radio were starting to mention a tropical storm that was quickly turning into a hurricane as it approached the Caribbean. As Garnet shared this with his crew he knew they had all been looking forward to spending time in the sunny south. The crew had made plans for a long and leisurely cruse in the islands, but as the seas and winds increasing and with the forecast suggesting the track of the storm was to turn north, they reluctantly re-assessed the plans and decided to head for the protection of Cape Cod.
It turned out to be a good choice as the now Hurricane Emily had taken a right turn and was heading up the eastern seaboard. The winds were picking up and the waves had grown to over 50 feet.
"We were hundreds of miles from any landfall. The waves were growing in height and the wind gaining strength. We had been trolling as we sailed and as the weather worsened we were talking about bringing in the baits. Gerry had mentioned that he thought he had spied a shark that seemed to be following our boat. As we started to reel in our gear, we saw what appeared to be a large shark fin about 200 yards off our stern. It seemed to be closing in on us perhaps attracted by our baits. We did retrieve the baits, but we were also trailing a spinner for the Walker Log. which turned a braided line which in turn spun a gauge that was mounted on the stern rail. A reliable favorite of blue water cruisers A Walker Log records the boats distance traveled through the water much more accurately than a hull mounted speedometer/odometer transducer. The Walker Log and our compass were our prime tools for dead reckoning navigation. As we finished hauling in our fishing lines the Walker Log line went taught and then released. We pulled it in to find that the line had snapped and the spinner had been bitten off. It would have just been a curiosity if it was not also critical to our navigation."
It turned out to be a good choice as the now Hurricane Emily had taken a right turn and was heading up the eastern seaboard. The winds were picking up and the waves had grown to over 50 feet.
"We were hundreds of miles from any landfall. The waves were growing in height and the wind gaining strength. We had been trolling as we sailed and as the weather worsened we were talking about bringing in the baits. Gerry had mentioned that he thought he had spied a shark that seemed to be following our boat. As we started to reel in our gear, we saw what appeared to be a large shark fin about 200 yards off our stern. It seemed to be closing in on us perhaps attracted by our baits. We did retrieve the baits, but we were also trailing a spinner for the Walker Log. which turned a braided line which in turn spun a gauge that was mounted on the stern rail. A reliable favorite of blue water cruisers A Walker Log records the boats distance traveled through the water much more accurately than a hull mounted speedometer/odometer transducer. The Walker Log and our compass were our prime tools for dead reckoning navigation. As we finished hauling in our fishing lines the Walker Log line went taught and then released. We pulled it in to find that the line had snapped and the spinner had been bitten off. It would have just been a curiosity if it was not also critical to our navigation."
more to come....
Sailing Through Hurricane Emily
Story Notes From The Ships Log
50’ waves
Change of Course
60' waves
DR navigation walker Log
Frost Plug of Atomic Four
apple juice
seasick seaman
single handing
waves over the deck
safety harness
man overboard
three days of storm
Passing Fishing Boat in the storm
"I cant believe you guys are out here"
crew reviving
Where are we?
triangulation
light house
70' waves
Mast steps
Broken Ribs
Tye's climb
position confirmed
Broken tiller
emergency repairs
coming about
the dolphins
to be continued.....
Sailing Through Hurricane Emily
Story Notes From The Ships Log
50’ waves
Change of Course
60' waves
DR navigation walker Log
Frost Plug of Atomic Four
apple juice
seasick seaman
single handing
waves over the deck
safety harness
man overboard
three days of storm
Passing Fishing Boat in the storm
"I cant believe you guys are out here"
crew reviving
Where are we?
triangulation
light house
70' waves
Mast steps
Broken Ribs
Tye's climb
position confirmed
Broken tiller
emergency repairs
coming about
the dolphins
to be continued.....
In The Wilderness
Garnet's father was Donald Lloyde McPherson. A professional engineer who had grown up spending summers surrounded with caring uncles on ranch land in southern Saskatchewan. His uncles were all farmers and cowboys. They were ranchers, who spent every day on the land they were homesteading, yet they took the time to teach young Donny the "language of the land", and in turn as a father, Don did his best to pass this "language" on to his children.
As he was developing his Engineering Firm, Don McPherson built a home for his family in the country side just east of Toronto. As an engineer Don was known as an inventive and creative problem solver. But at home he was a steadfast mentor to his two son's and two daughters. Both Garnet and his brother Duncan spent many hours in his dad's workshop, learning how to see challenges as an opportunities to create solutions.
Garnet also loved spending time outside with his Dad, learning to how to compost, prepare beds, plant and care for a garden. Garnet went riding, camping, fishing and hunting with his Dad. But he also tagged along as his mother taught his two sisters how to harvest, put up and prepare food stocks for the family.
His science teacher took a special interest in teaching Garnet about biology and botany and he actually switched high schools so he could take a course in agriculture. But it was his dad who taught him about our relationship with and dependence on the land.
Garnet's father was Donald Lloyde McPherson. A professional engineer who had grown up spending summers surrounded with caring uncles on ranch land in southern Saskatchewan. His uncles were all farmers and cowboys. They were ranchers, who spent every day on the land they were homesteading, yet they took the time to teach young Donny the "language of the land", and in turn as a father, Don did his best to pass this "language" on to his children.
As he was developing his Engineering Firm, Don McPherson built a home for his family in the country side just east of Toronto. As an engineer Don was known as an inventive and creative problem solver. But at home he was a steadfast mentor to his two son's and two daughters. Both Garnet and his brother Duncan spent many hours in his dad's workshop, learning how to see challenges as an opportunities to create solutions.
Garnet also loved spending time outside with his Dad, learning to how to compost, prepare beds, plant and care for a garden. Garnet went riding, camping, fishing and hunting with his Dad. But he also tagged along as his mother taught his two sisters how to harvest, put up and prepare food stocks for the family.
His science teacher took a special interest in teaching Garnet about biology and botany and he actually switched high schools so he could take a course in agriculture. But it was his dad who taught him about our relationship with and dependence on the land.
"In retrospect, the underlying theme of time with my father revolved around learning resourcefulness and self reliance. But when he was not teaching us skills to that end, he also encouraged our interest in the local wildlife. We had several bird houses and feeders on our land and my mother had a fox which visited her each day. To my delight, she also tolerated the menagerie of orphaned animals that I periodically brought home from my adventures. However, the highlight of our summers were when I went on canoe trips with the family. We all enjoyed the outdoors, but I think I was the one most interested in the nature. My daily explorations of the natural landscapes that surrounded our country home were also a wonderful source of appreciation and inspiration for a young man, but I would give most of the credit for nurturing the naturalist in me to my father."
In collage Garnet found the writings of Aldo Leopold and Henry David Thoreau inspiring and recalls Thoreau's reflection when he wrote "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach". So it is not surprising that it was not long before Garnet chose to live in the wilderness.
Algonquin Park is the high ground on the Canadian Shield. It encompasses the source waters of 5 water sheds feeding lakes and rivers that flow to the north, the east and the west and south. It is the transition zone between the northern eco systems and the southern eco systems. The park consists of both coniferous habitats representative of most of Northern Ontario and the hardwood forest habitats that are representative of most of Southern Ontario. The park includes three thousand square miles of wilderness, larger than many of the states in the U.S. it is home to an impressive bio diversity.
The beauty, Algonquin Park became recognized by nature preservationists in the 1800's and quickly became popular with anglers, though hunting was prohibited. However the landscapes of Algonquin Park had also attracted artists such as Tom Thomson who painted in the park along with members of the Group of Seven. The beauty and complexity of this land also inspired Garnet McPherson to spend as much time in Algonquin as possible.
For Garnet it was a perfect place to commune with nature that was representative of the majority of Canadian wild lands. "Algonquin was the perfect spot to explore the infinite beauty and complexity of Canada's natural landscape. Personally, it was also a perfect place to retreat and reflect on ones place and purpose in the world."
There are really two Algonquins. A strip of land that accommodates a 35 mile stretch of highway that crosses the park and the expansive 3,000 square mile wild interior of the park.
After graduation, Garnet headed for wild country to recharge his creative batteries. He had visited many wild areas in Ontario that intriqued him, but for Garnet the best place of them all was Algonquin. He began his Algonquin experience along the Highway 60 corridor. Here he enjoyed camping at many of eight campgrounds, he hiked all of the 14 trails numerous times, and contributed his talents to the extensive Natural Heritage Education programs in the park.
In collage Garnet found the writings of Aldo Leopold and Henry David Thoreau inspiring and recalls Thoreau's reflection when he wrote "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach". So it is not surprising that it was not long before Garnet chose to live in the wilderness.
Algonquin Park is the high ground on the Canadian Shield. It encompasses the source waters of 5 water sheds feeding lakes and rivers that flow to the north, the east and the west and south. It is the transition zone between the northern eco systems and the southern eco systems. The park consists of both coniferous habitats representative of most of Northern Ontario and the hardwood forest habitats that are representative of most of Southern Ontario. The park includes three thousand square miles of wilderness, larger than many of the states in the U.S. it is home to an impressive bio diversity.
The beauty, Algonquin Park became recognized by nature preservationists in the 1800's and quickly became popular with anglers, though hunting was prohibited. However the landscapes of Algonquin Park had also attracted artists such as Tom Thomson who painted in the park along with members of the Group of Seven. The beauty and complexity of this land also inspired Garnet McPherson to spend as much time in Algonquin as possible.
For Garnet it was a perfect place to commune with nature that was representative of the majority of Canadian wild lands. "Algonquin was the perfect spot to explore the infinite beauty and complexity of Canada's natural landscape. Personally, it was also a perfect place to retreat and reflect on ones place and purpose in the world."
There are really two Algonquins. A strip of land that accommodates a 35 mile stretch of highway that crosses the park and the expansive 3,000 square mile wild interior of the park.
After graduation, Garnet headed for wild country to recharge his creative batteries. He had visited many wild areas in Ontario that intriqued him, but for Garnet the best place of them all was Algonquin. He began his Algonquin experience along the Highway 60 corridor. Here he enjoyed camping at many of eight campgrounds, he hiked all of the 14 trails numerous times, and contributed his talents to the extensive Natural Heritage Education programs in the park.
Inspired by his mentor Ansel Adams, Garnet loved filming the diverse natural landscapes and wildlife of Algonquin. He provided material that was included in the first Algonquin Park Master Plan and provided photographic illustrations published in the first edition of the interpretive book "The Wildflowers of Algonquin Provincial Park"
Garnet enjoyed flying with the MNR bush pilots as he photographed the park for his various projects, shot reconnaissance photos of historic camboose camps and documented the remains of remote settlements in the interior of the park. Many historic assets in the park were revealed because of Garnets aerial inventory and the ground work of park historian Jim Mountain.
Algonquin Park was actually named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992 in recognition of several heritage values including: pioneering visitor interpretation programs later adopted by national and provincial parks across the country; its role in inspiring artists, which in turn gave Canadians a greater sense of their country; and historic structures such as lodges, hotels, cottages, camps, and the historic railway that carried squared timber from Algonquin off the help build ships for Britain's' Napoleonic war efforts.
During these years Garnet was also recordings bird songs, wolf howls, and a variety of sound effects that he wove into his multi media productions. He worked with Omar Stringer who was doing canoe safty demonstrations for the Ontario Saftey League and Dan Gibson a wildlife film maker who lived on Canoe Lake in the summers. He met John and Janet Foster who had a cabin on the same lake as his and were making documentaries for CBC's Nature of Things at the time.
Garnet had a contract with the Ministry Of Natural Resources to work on publications about the park. He assisted park naturalists in their preparation of evening programs and produced and directed shows used at the Algonquin’s Visitor Centre, and the film featured at The Algonquin Logging Museum.
In many ways was in his element. He was having numerous experiences that were expanded his knowledge and appreciation of this wild country. He joined park naturalists to track down wolf packs in preparation for “Public Wolf Howl Events”, that gave the fans of the park a chance to experience the thrill of being in the presence of a wild wolf pack and to listen to an evening program that explored wolf ecology.
Garnet enjoyed flying with the MNR bush pilots as he photographed the park for his various projects, shot reconnaissance photos of historic camboose camps and documented the remains of remote settlements in the interior of the park. Many historic assets in the park were revealed because of Garnets aerial inventory and the ground work of park historian Jim Mountain.
Algonquin Park was actually named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992 in recognition of several heritage values including: pioneering visitor interpretation programs later adopted by national and provincial parks across the country; its role in inspiring artists, which in turn gave Canadians a greater sense of their country; and historic structures such as lodges, hotels, cottages, camps, and the historic railway that carried squared timber from Algonquin off the help build ships for Britain's' Napoleonic war efforts.
During these years Garnet was also recordings bird songs, wolf howls, and a variety of sound effects that he wove into his multi media productions. He worked with Omar Stringer who was doing canoe safty demonstrations for the Ontario Saftey League and Dan Gibson a wildlife film maker who lived on Canoe Lake in the summers. He met John and Janet Foster who had a cabin on the same lake as his and were making documentaries for CBC's Nature of Things at the time.
Garnet had a contract with the Ministry Of Natural Resources to work on publications about the park. He assisted park naturalists in their preparation of evening programs and produced and directed shows used at the Algonquin’s Visitor Centre, and the film featured at The Algonquin Logging Museum.
In many ways was in his element. He was having numerous experiences that were expanded his knowledge and appreciation of this wild country. He joined park naturalists to track down wolf packs in preparation for “Public Wolf Howl Events”, that gave the fans of the park a chance to experience the thrill of being in the presence of a wild wolf pack and to listen to an evening program that explored wolf ecology.
However it was the second Algonquin where Garnet eventually decided to spend most of his time. The essence of Algonquin is in its vast interior wilderness of forested hills, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes and rivers. It fed his desire to immerse himself in the natural world.
The park is considered part of a zone of transition between northern coniferous forest and southern deciduous forest. This unique mixture of forest types, and the wide variety of environments in the park, allows the park to support an uncommon diversity of plant and animal species so it is also became an important site for wildlife research.
It offered a rich bio-diversity that was as intriguing to both the naturalist and photographer in Garnet. Algonquin's forests, rivers and numerous lakes, are home to moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, grey jays, beavers, red foxes, great grey owls, Eastern wolf and of course the common loon.
Within the park, lives a large number of species including: "53 species of mammals, 272 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians, 54 species of fish, about 7000 species of insects, over 1000 species of plants, and over 1000 species of fungi."
"Old growth sugar maple, hemlock and yellow birch forests are common in Algonquin Park. Researchers have aged trees in Algonquin's old-growth forests at up to 430 years old using ring counts, and up to 610 years old using estimation techniques."
The only way to explore the interior of this park is by canoe, paddle and portage. Garnet loved the fact that the rivers and lakes were the highways to the interior of the park. He grew up exploring the Rouge River Valley by canoe and enjoyed the quiet and non invasive passage it provided. Traveling by canoe was one of Garnets greatest pleasures. So it was quite natural for Garnet to choose to live in a cabin built on land leased from the park and invest time to refine his tripping gear and wild-crafting skills to live in and explore this beautiful country year round.
The park is considered part of a zone of transition between northern coniferous forest and southern deciduous forest. This unique mixture of forest types, and the wide variety of environments in the park, allows the park to support an uncommon diversity of plant and animal species so it is also became an important site for wildlife research.
It offered a rich bio-diversity that was as intriguing to both the naturalist and photographer in Garnet. Algonquin's forests, rivers and numerous lakes, are home to moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, grey jays, beavers, red foxes, great grey owls, Eastern wolf and of course the common loon.
Within the park, lives a large number of species including: "53 species of mammals, 272 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians, 54 species of fish, about 7000 species of insects, over 1000 species of plants, and over 1000 species of fungi."
"Old growth sugar maple, hemlock and yellow birch forests are common in Algonquin Park. Researchers have aged trees in Algonquin's old-growth forests at up to 430 years old using ring counts, and up to 610 years old using estimation techniques."
The only way to explore the interior of this park is by canoe, paddle and portage. Garnet loved the fact that the rivers and lakes were the highways to the interior of the park. He grew up exploring the Rouge River Valley by canoe and enjoyed the quiet and non invasive passage it provided. Traveling by canoe was one of Garnets greatest pleasures. So it was quite natural for Garnet to choose to live in a cabin built on land leased from the park and invest time to refine his tripping gear and wild-crafting skills to live in and explore this beautiful country year round.
As he was preparing himself for life in the wild Garnet had the good fortune to befriend a Cree guide, trapper and canoe builder by the name of Clarence Bogues. Clarence was known locally as a some-what crusty elder of the community that many would take pains to avoid. But he was also a bit of a local legend and no one ever questioned the fact that he was a knowledgeable expert in wild craft and traditions.
As a craftsman, Clarence had established a solid reputation for his snow shoes and 15 foot canoe, considered by many to be the best available. He lived in Dwight just outside the park and Garnet made sure he dropped in on Clarence, his wife and dog when ever he was passing by.
Garnet spent many a day listening to Clarence's life story. He shared his many adventures as a trapper and his experiences guiding both experts and greenhorn tourists on hunting and fishing expeditions. His stories about his journey learning native traditions and refining his craft were both educational and inspirational for Garnet.
His stories ranged from his use of natural remedies to treat common ailments and injuries to the day the local conservation officer happened upon Clarence in an accidental mortal hand to paw combat with a large black bear that was trying to steal a beaver from one of Clarence's traps. (You don't have to guess who survived!) All his stories were entertaining, but what Garnet enjoyed the most was the underlying thread that was woven into all his stories, Clarence's deep and spiritual appreciation of this wild country.
During the first few years in the area Garnet spent as much time as he could at Clarence's workshop.
As a craftsman, Clarence had established a solid reputation for his snow shoes and 15 foot canoe, considered by many to be the best available. He lived in Dwight just outside the park and Garnet made sure he dropped in on Clarence, his wife and dog when ever he was passing by.
Garnet spent many a day listening to Clarence's life story. He shared his many adventures as a trapper and his experiences guiding both experts and greenhorn tourists on hunting and fishing expeditions. His stories about his journey learning native traditions and refining his craft were both educational and inspirational for Garnet.
His stories ranged from his use of natural remedies to treat common ailments and injuries to the day the local conservation officer happened upon Clarence in an accidental mortal hand to paw combat with a large black bear that was trying to steal a beaver from one of Clarence's traps. (You don't have to guess who survived!) All his stories were entertaining, but what Garnet enjoyed the most was the underlying thread that was woven into all his stories, Clarence's deep and spiritual appreciation of this wild country.
During the first few years in the area Garnet spent as much time as he could at Clarence's workshop.
"For some reason Clarence took a liking to me and took me under his wing. He taught me how to carve paddles out of black cherry, to make show shoes out of ash and dear skin and most importantly the craft of canoe building."
As Clarence shared his stories, Garnet had just naturally started to look for ways to pitch in helping Clarence around his workshop. Eventually Garnet earned his trust. Clarence seemed to appreciate Garnets insatiable desire to learn.
"Clarence offered to let me use his mold to build my own canoes. First I built a light weight 13 foot canoe with Clarence's coaching, which I used for daily excursions and fishing near my cabin and for longer solo treks. Then he let me use his famous 15 foot mold, to build a tripping canoe for taking more gear or an assistant deeper into the network of lakes and rivers of Algonquin's interior."
As Clarence shared his stories, Garnet had just naturally started to look for ways to pitch in helping Clarence around his workshop. Eventually Garnet earned his trust. Clarence seemed to appreciate Garnets insatiable desire to learn.
"Clarence offered to let me use his mold to build my own canoes. First I built a light weight 13 foot canoe with Clarence's coaching, which I used for daily excursions and fishing near my cabin and for longer solo treks. Then he let me use his famous 15 foot mold, to build a tripping canoe for taking more gear or an assistant deeper into the network of lakes and rivers of Algonquin's interior."
Both of these canoes are treasured by Garnet. "To me the paddles, snowshoes and canoes that I built under Clarence's supervision were not only handcrafted works of art, but they were also essential tools I needed to reside in, explore and understand the wild country I had chosen to live in."
Years later Garnet's paddles and snow shoes perished in a fire at his eco centre but his canoes survived and still hang with honor from the ceiling of Garnet's living room, displayed like works of art, until they are called upon to serve in another of Garnets explorations.
"In the summer the corridor was pretty busy with what park staff referred to as "fans" a more or less continuous stream of birders, fisherman and campers that came to get a taste of Algonquin. There was almost a frenetic energy to the activity along Highway 60." Even in the back country Garnet would see canoe trippers pass by his camp at least once a day during the summer.
Years later Garnet's paddles and snow shoes perished in a fire at his eco centre but his canoes survived and still hang with honor from the ceiling of Garnet's living room, displayed like works of art, until they are called upon to serve in another of Garnets explorations.
"In the summer the corridor was pretty busy with what park staff referred to as "fans" a more or less continuous stream of birders, fisherman and campers that came to get a taste of Algonquin. There was almost a frenetic energy to the activity along Highway 60." Even in the back country Garnet would see canoe trippers pass by his camp at least once a day during the summer.
Upcoming Stories from 1973-1975 (to be added)
- Museum The book the culture the bear staff house, the air craft the connybear canoe, the canoes, wam stringer, bears in the campsite, pitt
- Wolf howl, forest study, peter ward, mindy, omar stringer.
- The Bog Flight George Jackson
- The Bear Assumptions Ron Pittaway
- The Diagnosis Taking Control
- The Blizzard Taking Shelter
- The Ice Hole Trusting
- The Nest The Climb
- The Logging Truck
- Bob Ram Das – Be Here Now
- Carmen Roberts – Linda Anderson – Syd Andrews – Ron Pittaway – Howard Connibear
- Jane Grey
- Marrying Marg
- Mindy and Peter Ward
- Mac McLean Forester
The Sky Is The Limit
Garnet has been an aviation enthusiast since his 20's. He had covered lots of air shows as a journalist but it was doing aerial photography and flying with some amazing bush pilots in Canada's north that changed everything.
After experiencing the freedom and joy of dropping into a remote northern lake in a Beaver aircraft on floats and fishing for lunch of a rainbow trout off the pontoon. He was hooked. He would take air photo assignments as often as he could and got a chance to take the controls from the right seat from time to time and then there was no turning back.
Garnet has been an aviation enthusiast since his 20's. He had covered lots of air shows as a journalist but it was doing aerial photography and flying with some amazing bush pilots in Canada's north that changed everything.
After experiencing the freedom and joy of dropping into a remote northern lake in a Beaver aircraft on floats and fishing for lunch of a rainbow trout off the pontoon. He was hooked. He would take air photo assignments as often as he could and got a chance to take the controls from the right seat from time to time and then there was no turning back.
Before long he had his license and had purchased his own aircraft for his aerial photography business. Garnet lived on Lake Ontario next to the location of Camp X where allied spies were trained during the great war. He based his aircraft at what was a World War II military airport that was gradually evolving into a busy municipal airport in Oshawa.
He became an active member at the Oshawa Flying Club and was actually a part of a team the created the largest air show in Canada in 1981. It was a two day show and featured flying performers from 5 countries and over a hundred exhibits. Garnets firm was commissioned to do all the marketing for the show and part of that was creating the advertising, posters and program. So in the process Garnet had the opportunity photograph the planes and the pilots that were being featured in the show. In preparation for the show Aerial Photographic Of Canada flew its Cesna along side many of the performers to get air to air shots for the promotion of the acts.
He also got the opportunity to fly with the acrobatic pilots from France flying their Cap-10's and take a ride with the Snow Birds and a WW2 Harvard from the war museum collection and a Pitts Special acrobatic by-plane which he featured on the posters, T-Shirts and the cover of the program for the show. The whole experience was thrilling and the two day show came off without a hitch and attracted 1000's of aviation enthusiasts from all across the country.
Flying was one of Garnets true passions so he found as many reasons to fly as possible, for business, for pleasure and just for the joy of it. When it came to flying he was never short of words to describe how he felt.
He became an active member at the Oshawa Flying Club and was actually a part of a team the created the largest air show in Canada in 1981. It was a two day show and featured flying performers from 5 countries and over a hundred exhibits. Garnets firm was commissioned to do all the marketing for the show and part of that was creating the advertising, posters and program. So in the process Garnet had the opportunity photograph the planes and the pilots that were being featured in the show. In preparation for the show Aerial Photographic Of Canada flew its Cesna along side many of the performers to get air to air shots for the promotion of the acts.
He also got the opportunity to fly with the acrobatic pilots from France flying their Cap-10's and take a ride with the Snow Birds and a WW2 Harvard from the war museum collection and a Pitts Special acrobatic by-plane which he featured on the posters, T-Shirts and the cover of the program for the show. The whole experience was thrilling and the two day show came off without a hitch and attracted 1000's of aviation enthusiasts from all across the country.
Flying was one of Garnets true passions so he found as many reasons to fly as possible, for business, for pleasure and just for the joy of it. When it came to flying he was never short of words to describe how he felt.
"Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I’d do it again;
For each of us will someday die,
Yet within me I know,
I was born to fly."
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I’d do it again;
For each of us will someday die,
Yet within me I know,
I was born to fly."
Garnet and his crew flew all over the country on photography assignments. When the weather was good he would often be in the air. Statistically flying is safer than driving but you still have to be prepared for the unexpected. One day the unexpected did happen.
A Mid Air Emergency
It was a beautiful early winters day and the sun was sparkling off Lake Ontario when Garnet and Les, his partner in Aerial Photographics of Canada, were preparing for a flight from Oshawa Airport to Hamilton Airport to get some new avionics installed in their aircraft.
The plane had just come out of its 100 hour inspection and everything had checked out during thier circle check. It seemed like a good day for a flight by any measure. So they grabbed a snack, prepared their aircraft and taxied along the apron to runway 23 at Oshawa Municipal Airport.
"It was a perfect day for flying with blue skies and a light wind from the SW. Both of us were excited about getting a satellite navigation system in the aircraft. It was a new technology but it had a + or - 5 foot accuracy so we would be able to just punch in the latitude and longitude of the site we were going to be filming and this new technology was supposed to guide us directly to it, saving both time and fuel. So we both were full of anticipation as we took off and started to climb as we headed towards Lake Ontario."
Garnet's rule of thumb for flying over large bodies of water was to add 200 feet of altitude above 2000 feet for every mile of water you are crossing. This in theory ensures that you have enough glide distance available so that in the advent of an engine failure you should be able to make it to land with enough altitude to find a place to put down. At times passengers would ask about the time this precaution took, but when it came to flying, Garnet always erred on the side of safety. So as usual he was over 10,000 feet above ground level when they headed out to cross over Lake Ontario.
"Lake Ontario is about 52 miles across so with a head wind on a diagonal track it could take a good part of an hour to cross. The water that day was a beautiful rich blue and we could see Lakers making way down below us and the odd late season yacht heading for home harbors. There is something very peaceful about sailing or flying with water to the horizon. It is one of the reasons I have always tried to live on a body of water.
But the serenity was about to change. We were about at the 27 mile mark when a gauge showed us that we were losing oil pressure in the engine. So in order not to destroy our only engine we decided that we had to shut the engine down.
When the prop stopped turning it took a moment for it to really sink in that we were now in a glider and that keeping our altitude as much as possible was all that mattered. I glanced at Les and I could see his expression change as the prop came to a halt and the reality of our predicament set in. At that point I realized that I had to stay calm for both of us.
A quick calculation and all things being equal I figured we had just enough altitude to make to to the airport. However all things were not exactly equal. Considering the headwinds that were growing in strength and the fact that Hamilton airport was at 780 ft ASL, there was a good chance but no guarantee that we would make it.
We were both present to the fact that we had no life jackets of survival suits onboard so ditching the plane in frigid Lake Ontario was not an option we wanted to consider. So I adjusted the trim of the aircraft for maximum glide performance, then radioed in a May Day to Hamilton Airport. The clouds that day were at about 12,000 feet just above us. I tried to imagine what a glider pilot would do, so I looked for cumulus clouds that may have an updraft below them, thinking we might be able to take advantage of any that were on our path. But the clouds were few and far between. The aircraft controller at Hamilton sounded like he was a very young man, but he was calm and cleared us for a straight in approach to runway 24. He asked the other traffic to stand down and stay in the circuit until we had landed. I had flown into Hamilton before and I knew runway 24 was about 1,800 m long. There would be a slight crosswind on our approach but nothing to worry about.
The only challenge was handle the plane to maximize our glide distance and in keeping Les calm enough to not be a distraction. Over the lake there was nothing else for him to do but worry, so he was getting pretty worked up. And after about six "Holly Sh.." I put him to work taking a look on the aviation charts for alternative air strips that may be closer then Hamilton. For some time I had kept a Flying Farmers chart on the aircraft which identified the locations of grass strips that were not on the aviation maps, so I handed it to Les and had him looking and calculating the distance to each alternate strip.
A Mid Air Emergency
It was a beautiful early winters day and the sun was sparkling off Lake Ontario when Garnet and Les, his partner in Aerial Photographics of Canada, were preparing for a flight from Oshawa Airport to Hamilton Airport to get some new avionics installed in their aircraft.
The plane had just come out of its 100 hour inspection and everything had checked out during thier circle check. It seemed like a good day for a flight by any measure. So they grabbed a snack, prepared their aircraft and taxied along the apron to runway 23 at Oshawa Municipal Airport.
"It was a perfect day for flying with blue skies and a light wind from the SW. Both of us were excited about getting a satellite navigation system in the aircraft. It was a new technology but it had a + or - 5 foot accuracy so we would be able to just punch in the latitude and longitude of the site we were going to be filming and this new technology was supposed to guide us directly to it, saving both time and fuel. So we both were full of anticipation as we took off and started to climb as we headed towards Lake Ontario."
Garnet's rule of thumb for flying over large bodies of water was to add 200 feet of altitude above 2000 feet for every mile of water you are crossing. This in theory ensures that you have enough glide distance available so that in the advent of an engine failure you should be able to make it to land with enough altitude to find a place to put down. At times passengers would ask about the time this precaution took, but when it came to flying, Garnet always erred on the side of safety. So as usual he was over 10,000 feet above ground level when they headed out to cross over Lake Ontario.
"Lake Ontario is about 52 miles across so with a head wind on a diagonal track it could take a good part of an hour to cross. The water that day was a beautiful rich blue and we could see Lakers making way down below us and the odd late season yacht heading for home harbors. There is something very peaceful about sailing or flying with water to the horizon. It is one of the reasons I have always tried to live on a body of water.
But the serenity was about to change. We were about at the 27 mile mark when a gauge showed us that we were losing oil pressure in the engine. So in order not to destroy our only engine we decided that we had to shut the engine down.
When the prop stopped turning it took a moment for it to really sink in that we were now in a glider and that keeping our altitude as much as possible was all that mattered. I glanced at Les and I could see his expression change as the prop came to a halt and the reality of our predicament set in. At that point I realized that I had to stay calm for both of us.
A quick calculation and all things being equal I figured we had just enough altitude to make to to the airport. However all things were not exactly equal. Considering the headwinds that were growing in strength and the fact that Hamilton airport was at 780 ft ASL, there was a good chance but no guarantee that we would make it.
We were both present to the fact that we had no life jackets of survival suits onboard so ditching the plane in frigid Lake Ontario was not an option we wanted to consider. So I adjusted the trim of the aircraft for maximum glide performance, then radioed in a May Day to Hamilton Airport. The clouds that day were at about 12,000 feet just above us. I tried to imagine what a glider pilot would do, so I looked for cumulus clouds that may have an updraft below them, thinking we might be able to take advantage of any that were on our path. But the clouds were few and far between. The aircraft controller at Hamilton sounded like he was a very young man, but he was calm and cleared us for a straight in approach to runway 24. He asked the other traffic to stand down and stay in the circuit until we had landed. I had flown into Hamilton before and I knew runway 24 was about 1,800 m long. There would be a slight crosswind on our approach but nothing to worry about.
The only challenge was handle the plane to maximize our glide distance and in keeping Les calm enough to not be a distraction. Over the lake there was nothing else for him to do but worry, so he was getting pretty worked up. And after about six "Holly Sh.." I put him to work taking a look on the aviation charts for alternative air strips that may be closer then Hamilton. For some time I had kept a Flying Farmers chart on the aircraft which identified the locations of grass strips that were not on the aviation maps, so I handed it to Les and had him looking and calculating the distance to each alternate strip.
All this, would have been easier if we already had the "Sat Nav" installed, but Les had great navigational skills and it took his focus away from any panic. All the time I knew that there was no way to be sure that any strip he might find, would have been plowed by the resident Flying Farmer that owned it. So I just kept focused on getting us to the airport.
All this time the young air traffic controller in Hamilton was checking in with us every few minutes to see how our altitude was holding up. I could hear him turning any conflicting traffic away from our flight path. I was impressed with his calm professionalism and hoped I would get a chance to thank him. Controllers are usually an anonymous voice you hear over the radio, but we were experiencing a moment together, so I asked and his name. He answered " I am Tim, its nice to meet you." Somehow I found it reassuring to hear his name. Tim then asked "Is there anyone you would like us to call" and for some reason that's when I felt a my stress increase. Was he thinking we were not going to make it? No thanks, I said, we will be there soon enough. In a few minutes Tim (my new best friend) confirmed that he now had us on radar and I began to relax again.
As we approached the shoreline I could see the airport in the distance and it felt good to envision our perfect approach and safe landing. When you are looking at water on the horizon the challenge feels infinite, but once you see land that is within reach then hope finds a place in your heart again. As we approached the shoreline I began to feel more confident that we were going to land somewhere safely. I could see open fields and golf courses within reach if we had to abandon our plan to make to the airport but I kept focused on minimizing our altitude loss and staying on a direct course to runway 24.
All this time the young air traffic controller in Hamilton was checking in with us every few minutes to see how our altitude was holding up. I could hear him turning any conflicting traffic away from our flight path. I was impressed with his calm professionalism and hoped I would get a chance to thank him. Controllers are usually an anonymous voice you hear over the radio, but we were experiencing a moment together, so I asked and his name. He answered " I am Tim, its nice to meet you." Somehow I found it reassuring to hear his name. Tim then asked "Is there anyone you would like us to call" and for some reason that's when I felt a my stress increase. Was he thinking we were not going to make it? No thanks, I said, we will be there soon enough. In a few minutes Tim (my new best friend) confirmed that he now had us on radar and I began to relax again.
As we approached the shoreline I could see the airport in the distance and it felt good to envision our perfect approach and safe landing. When you are looking at water on the horizon the challenge feels infinite, but once you see land that is within reach then hope finds a place in your heart again. As we approached the shoreline I began to feel more confident that we were going to land somewhere safely. I could see open fields and golf courses within reach if we had to abandon our plan to make to the airport but I kept focused on minimizing our altitude loss and staying on a direct course to runway 24.
As we approached the airport it turned out we had about 500' of altitude to still available. To my immense releaf I was able to set the plane down with room to spare. There was a fire engine and ambulance standing by at the edge of the runway with lights a flashing, but I just waived at them as we glided past them. I could see cathartic smiles on the faces of the fireman.
After touchdown Tim passed us off the a Ground Controller. The new voice on the radio was now directing us to a taxiway. He had his mic open long enough between directions, that I could hear the shrieks and whoops of relief coming from the guys in the tower. It was a fantastic feeling when we came to a halt and we both took a very deep and long breath. It was a moment neither of us will never forget.
After we first touched down I did not touch the breaks and we had enough momentum to get across a taxiway and coast up to just outside the hanger where we were going to have the work done on the aircraft. That felt like magic. Once we knew we were going to land on the runway Les began a combination of swearing and laughing from the time we touched down til we crossed the tarmac to the hanger. When he opened the door he took three steps then bent over and kissed the ground. The medics soon caught up to us and gave us both some water and some big smiles.
It was over and we had arrived without having a working engine.
Once our heart rates recovered, we ordered two pizzas one for us, and one for the guys in the Control Tower."
Like a midwife coaching a new mother through what feels like an impossible mission, they had talked to us and kept me focused on the task at hand. Needless to say I will be eternally grateful. "
Post Script: As it turns out the and apprentice aircraft mechanic at the Oshawa Flying Club had used the wrong oil when he changed it during the 100 hour inspection and that had gone unnoticed by the chief aircraft mechanic in charge. That caused pressure to build up in the sump and the oil had blown out the breather which is what had caused the drop in oil pressure in the first place. Fortunately upon inspection it was confirmed that Garnet and Les had shut down the engine quickly enough that there was no damage to the engine. " We were very fortunate. We made it down safely, got the engine checked over and still were on time to get our satellite navigation system installed, which we certainly cherished going forward. But the experience was profound. Preparation and a precautionary approach had paid off, but we were also dam lucky! Interestingly no one ever complained again about the time I take to gain altitude before crossing a Great Lake."
After touchdown Tim passed us off the a Ground Controller. The new voice on the radio was now directing us to a taxiway. He had his mic open long enough between directions, that I could hear the shrieks and whoops of relief coming from the guys in the tower. It was a fantastic feeling when we came to a halt and we both took a very deep and long breath. It was a moment neither of us will never forget.
After we first touched down I did not touch the breaks and we had enough momentum to get across a taxiway and coast up to just outside the hanger where we were going to have the work done on the aircraft. That felt like magic. Once we knew we were going to land on the runway Les began a combination of swearing and laughing from the time we touched down til we crossed the tarmac to the hanger. When he opened the door he took three steps then bent over and kissed the ground. The medics soon caught up to us and gave us both some water and some big smiles.
It was over and we had arrived without having a working engine.
Once our heart rates recovered, we ordered two pizzas one for us, and one for the guys in the Control Tower."
Like a midwife coaching a new mother through what feels like an impossible mission, they had talked to us and kept me focused on the task at hand. Needless to say I will be eternally grateful. "
Post Script: As it turns out the and apprentice aircraft mechanic at the Oshawa Flying Club had used the wrong oil when he changed it during the 100 hour inspection and that had gone unnoticed by the chief aircraft mechanic in charge. That caused pressure to build up in the sump and the oil had blown out the breather which is what had caused the drop in oil pressure in the first place. Fortunately upon inspection it was confirmed that Garnet and Les had shut down the engine quickly enough that there was no damage to the engine. " We were very fortunate. We made it down safely, got the engine checked over and still were on time to get our satellite navigation system installed, which we certainly cherished going forward. But the experience was profound. Preparation and a precautionary approach had paid off, but we were also dam lucky! Interestingly no one ever complained again about the time I take to gain altitude before crossing a Great Lake."
Garnet's Mentors
Garnet has been such a great mentor to so many I was interested in who had been his greatest mentors and and when I was interviewing him for this project he entertained me for an entire Sunday with the stories of the great friends and mentors he has had in his life. So when the time came to explore mentor-ship on this site I thought it best to simply quote what Garnet as shared some his stories about his greatest mentors.
Garnet has been such a great mentor to so many I was interested in who had been his greatest mentors and and when I was interviewing him for this project he entertained me for an entire Sunday with the stories of the great friends and mentors he has had in his life. So when the time came to explore mentor-ship on this site I thought it best to simply quote what Garnet as shared some his stories about his greatest mentors.
William Lishman
"My friend and colleague William Lishman, passed on recently. He was always an inspiration in my life. not only as an award-winning sculptor, filmmaker, inventor, naturalist and public speaker, but as tireless proponent of the possibilities in life. Described by the Toronto Star as a "dyslexic, colour-blind, wildly creative sculptor" He was a giant among the creative community with an deep understanding of the nature of passion and the possible."
"Though we went to the same school I really got to know him well when he set up a studio in Whitevale and as a fellow activist in the "People or Planes" struggles in Pickering. When I became a photographer he often asked me to photograph his artwork and we had a chance to talk about life as an artist on several occasions over the years. We developed a mutual respect and friendship that I greatly valued."
"My friend and colleague William Lishman, passed on recently. He was always an inspiration in my life. not only as an award-winning sculptor, filmmaker, inventor, naturalist and public speaker, but as tireless proponent of the possibilities in life. Described by the Toronto Star as a "dyslexic, colour-blind, wildly creative sculptor" He was a giant among the creative community with an deep understanding of the nature of passion and the possible."
"Though we went to the same school I really got to know him well when he set up a studio in Whitevale and as a fellow activist in the "People or Planes" struggles in Pickering. When I became a photographer he often asked me to photograph his artwork and we had a chance to talk about life as an artist on several occasions over the years. We developed a mutual respect and friendship that I greatly valued."
"We shared a passion of aviation. Lishman was one of a few who pioneered ultra-light aviation in Canada, and was the first Canadian to foot-launch and land a rigid-winged aircraft. Bill started training Canada Geese in 1986 to follow his ultralight aircraft. In 1988, he became the first person to lead the flight of geese with an aircraft, and in 1993, the first to conduct an aircraft-led migration of birds."
"The film "FLY AWAY HOME" was based on a his experience. I had the pleasure to host the crew of that film at my beach house in Bowmanville and had a nice chat with the star of the film Jeff Daniels."
"His first aircraft was built in 1976, a combination of an Easy Riser hang-glider, a go-kart engine, and a propeller. We shared aviation stories almost every time we met. And when i took my daughter to learn to hang glide Bill graciously flew over to where we were to take Meriya on her first ultralight flight."
"The film "FLY AWAY HOME" was based on a his experience. I had the pleasure to host the crew of that film at my beach house in Bowmanville and had a nice chat with the star of the film Jeff Daniels."
"His first aircraft was built in 1976, a combination of an Easy Riser hang-glider, a go-kart engine, and a propeller. We shared aviation stories almost every time we met. And when i took my daughter to learn to hang glide Bill graciously flew over to where we were to take Meriya on her first ultralight flight."
"I held an End Of The World party December 21 2012 when the Miyans foretold that it would be all over for us. This time Bill came to my beach house in Brighton and we shared a few bottles and lots of laughs and spent the entire evening talking about almost everything under the sun. That was not the last time I saw Bill but it was one of my fondest memories of the man and our friendship."
"You know when a person in your life has had a profound and lasting impact when you find them in your thoughts. Bill found his way into my thoughts often and always as a source of inspiration!"
I will miss you man, but I know that you live on in the thoughts and hearts of many like me! So Fly On, My Friend!
"You know when a person in your life has had a profound and lasting impact when you find them in your thoughts. Bill found his way into my thoughts often and always as a source of inspiration!"
I will miss you man, but I know that you live on in the thoughts and hearts of many like me! So Fly On, My Friend!
Ansel Adams
"Another friend and mentor in my life passed on in 1984. I only knew Ansel for about ten years but in those ten years he had a huge impact on my world view not just as a friend but as a photographic and environmental mentor."
Ansel Easton Adams was an American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his full tonal range and tack sharp black-and-white images of the American West." Adams was a life-long advocate for environmental conservation, and his photographic practice was deeply entwined with this advocacy. At age 12, he was given his first camera during his first visit to Yosemite National Park. He developed his early photographic work as a member of the Sierra Club. He was later contracted with the U.S. Department of the Interior to make photographs of U.S. National Parks. For his work and his persistent advocacy, which helped expand the National Park system, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.
"Adams was an unrelenting activist for the cause of wilderness and the environment. Over the years he attended innumerable meetings and wrote thousands of letters in support of his conservation philosophy to newspaper editors, Sierra Club and Wilderness Society colleagues, government bureaucrats, and politicians. However, his great influence came from his photography. His images became the symbols, the veritable icons, of wild America. When people thought about the national parks of the Sierra Club or nature of the environment itself, the often envisioned them in terms of an Ansel Adams photograph. He created a sense of the sublime magnificence of nature that infused the viewer with the emotional equivalent of wilderness, almost as powerful than the reality itself."
Ansel fought for new parks and wilderness areas, for the Wilderness Act, for wild Alaska and his beloved Big Sur coast of central California, for the mighty redwoods, for endangered sea lions and sea otters, and for clean air and water. An advocate of balanced, restrained use of resources, Adams also fought relentlessly against overbuilt highways, billboards, and all manner of environmental mendacity and shortsightedness. Yet he invariably treated his opponents with respect and courtesy.
"Another friend and mentor in my life passed on in 1984. I only knew Ansel for about ten years but in those ten years he had a huge impact on my world view not just as a friend but as a photographic and environmental mentor."
Ansel Easton Adams was an American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his full tonal range and tack sharp black-and-white images of the American West." Adams was a life-long advocate for environmental conservation, and his photographic practice was deeply entwined with this advocacy. At age 12, he was given his first camera during his first visit to Yosemite National Park. He developed his early photographic work as a member of the Sierra Club. He was later contracted with the U.S. Department of the Interior to make photographs of U.S. National Parks. For his work and his persistent advocacy, which helped expand the National Park system, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.
"Adams was an unrelenting activist for the cause of wilderness and the environment. Over the years he attended innumerable meetings and wrote thousands of letters in support of his conservation philosophy to newspaper editors, Sierra Club and Wilderness Society colleagues, government bureaucrats, and politicians. However, his great influence came from his photography. His images became the symbols, the veritable icons, of wild America. When people thought about the national parks of the Sierra Club or nature of the environment itself, the often envisioned them in terms of an Ansel Adams photograph. He created a sense of the sublime magnificence of nature that infused the viewer with the emotional equivalent of wilderness, almost as powerful than the reality itself."
Ansel fought for new parks and wilderness areas, for the Wilderness Act, for wild Alaska and his beloved Big Sur coast of central California, for the mighty redwoods, for endangered sea lions and sea otters, and for clean air and water. An advocate of balanced, restrained use of resources, Adams also fought relentlessly against overbuilt highways, billboards, and all manner of environmental mendacity and shortsightedness. Yet he invariably treated his opponents with respect and courtesy.
"He had shelf and drawer full of awards and if i listed them for you it could fill a page, many were awarded posthumously. But for Ansel it was the protected areas he played a part in creating that meant the most to him. Ansel I think what he would have appreciated the most was when they named a mountain after him and the creation of The Ansel Adams Wilderness. A wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada of California which spans 231,533 acres (93,698 ha). Yosemite National Park lies to the north and northwest, while the John Muir Wilderness lies to the south. His work played a large part in preserving much of American wilderness. and his influence changed the minds and attitudes of many."
"To say that Ansel was a role model for me would be a huge understatement. He taught me not only about his incredible approach to photography, but how to use the medium as a tool for advocacy. I can barely touch a camera to this day without having a thought about Ansel."
"Thank You Ansel for informing so many directions I have taken in my life!"
"To say that Ansel was a role model for me would be a huge understatement. He taught me not only about his incredible approach to photography, but how to use the medium as a tool for advocacy. I can barely touch a camera to this day without having a thought about Ansel."
"Thank You Ansel for informing so many directions I have taken in my life!"
David Suzuki
"I have always admired David Suzuki not just as a geneticist, broadcaster, environmental activist but as an educator.
A Canadian of Japanese parentage, Suzuki was interned with his family during the Second World War and later became one of Canada’s most popular scientists and media personalities. He is known for his career as a broadcaster as well as his work as an environmental activist. "
" We have spent some time together in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, and he had been a contributor to my eco magazine almost since it was created, but the range and contribution of this man is hard to explore in infrequent encounters. As much as I would love to know David better, I have to admit I have known David mostly from his CBC TV series The Nature of Things where he explored a myriad of issues that were important to me as well. For me he has been a never ending source of inspiration."
"Without reserve he has used his access to media to bring attention to critical environmental issues. After more than 50 years in the public eye, we have seen David Suzuki in just about every way possible: almost naked, confronting industry, arguing with government, jumping out of planes, skateboarding down the street, and even buried up to his neck in a bog. He has been willing to do almost anything to get our attention and to get us to focus on our the environmental issues of our time. It was this work that made him one of my hero's and he has made a lasting impression on me over and over again. He has inspired much of the work I have done and in many ways has been one of my role models as an eco educator."
"When I started Sustainable Living Magazine, David submitted articles for the magazine on a regular basis and became one of our regular columnists. The Column was call Science Matters and it was popular with our readers right from the start. Every article made science relevant to our readers and illuminated the reality of the world we live in."
"When I started Sustainable Living Magazine, David submitted articles for the magazine on a regular basis and became one of our regular columnists. The Column was call Science Matters and it was popular with our readers right from the start. Every article made science relevant to our readers and illuminated the reality of the world we live in."
"He has often addressed issues that were also dear to my heart. He has also done everything but hit us over the head to get our attention. including this appeal to take action on his Carbon Manefesto". He is dedicated to preventing us from our own suicide as a species and destruction of our natural eco systems. He has been saying it as it is for many years. It is up to us to listen and to act."
" Perhaps he has been the most influential in my decision to devote my life to being an agent of positive change. He inspired me, perhaps more than anyone else, to put my resources behind building the Earthwalk Eco Centre. His work as a writer inspired me during the creation of Sustainable Living Magazine. His work in media has inspired my work on documentaries about the environment and the positive change makers among us."
So thank you David for a life time of trying to talk sense into us!"
" Perhaps he has been the most influential in my decision to devote my life to being an agent of positive change. He inspired me, perhaps more than anyone else, to put my resources behind building the Earthwalk Eco Centre. His work as a writer inspired me during the creation of Sustainable Living Magazine. His work in media has inspired my work on documentaries about the environment and the positive change makers among us."
So thank you David for a life time of trying to talk sense into us!"
Al Gore
"I met the former US Vice President Al Gore for the first time in 2008. Since then I have learned a great deal about mobilizing community action from Mr Gore . Shortly after the release of the feature film An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore created the Climate Project to mobilize influencers to get engaged in educating the public about the issues that surround global warming and pro-active action."
"In 2007 Al Gore contacted me at the magazine to tell me that he had selected me to be one of the first ambassadors for the Climate Reality Project in Canada. I had already been writing about the climate crisis in the magazine so I agreed to put the resources of the Eco Center and the Magazine behind his awareness campaign. Within weeks I was at a meeting with Al in Montreal, where he was holding a conference for the first thirty delegates to be briefed on the latest science and trained on presenting an updated version of "An Inconvenient Truth" talk. "
"The group that Al assembled in Montreal were all the key environmental leaders of that time, so I quite enjoyed comparing notes with them and the stimulating conversations that flowed throughout the days we were there."
"I met the former US Vice President Al Gore for the first time in 2008. Since then I have learned a great deal about mobilizing community action from Mr Gore . Shortly after the release of the feature film An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore created the Climate Project to mobilize influencers to get engaged in educating the public about the issues that surround global warming and pro-active action."
"In 2007 Al Gore contacted me at the magazine to tell me that he had selected me to be one of the first ambassadors for the Climate Reality Project in Canada. I had already been writing about the climate crisis in the magazine so I agreed to put the resources of the Eco Center and the Magazine behind his awareness campaign. Within weeks I was at a meeting with Al in Montreal, where he was holding a conference for the first thirty delegates to be briefed on the latest science and trained on presenting an updated version of "An Inconvenient Truth" talk. "
"The group that Al assembled in Montreal were all the key environmental leaders of that time, so I quite enjoyed comparing notes with them and the stimulating conversations that flowed throughout the days we were there."
"The first day consisted of a briefing from Al and several leading scientists on the latest climate research and global impacts from the Climate Crisis itself. On the second day we learned about the Climate Project and Al's plan to mobile a global team of influencers to advocate and educate on Climate Issues. That night Al presented the updated talk to a packed 2000 seat theatre which gave us a good handle on his approach to not only the presentation but on handling the questions that come afterwards. On the third day all the climate project leaders got together to workshop strategies for the outreach required to penetrate community organizations, business and governments, and media with the message."
"Over the three days we got to know Al on a a more personal level. Al Gore grew up as a senator's son in Washington and spending summers around the family farm and his time in the country made an impression on Al in his youth. I was pleased to discover that he is more approachable than you might think. Like most of us he came by his appreciation of the environment naturally by exploring the outdoors early in life. Al Gore has experienced a number of life-changing experiences in his adult life – serving in Vietnam, marrying and rearing a family, losing his sister to cancer, nearly losing his son, following his father into politics, losing a premature bid for the presidency, serving two terms as vice president all helped form his character. But it was his experiences exploring science at university that focused his attention on the impact mankind was having on the planet."
"Knowing his story, it made sense that he had taken up the cause to address the Global Warming challenge and the fact that he was reaching out to leaders in the environmental movement to help with his initiatives was no surprise. If he is anything he is a good communicator and a consummate organizer."
"Over the three days we got to know Al on a a more personal level. Al Gore grew up as a senator's son in Washington and spending summers around the family farm and his time in the country made an impression on Al in his youth. I was pleased to discover that he is more approachable than you might think. Like most of us he came by his appreciation of the environment naturally by exploring the outdoors early in life. Al Gore has experienced a number of life-changing experiences in his adult life – serving in Vietnam, marrying and rearing a family, losing his sister to cancer, nearly losing his son, following his father into politics, losing a premature bid for the presidency, serving two terms as vice president all helped form his character. But it was his experiences exploring science at university that focused his attention on the impact mankind was having on the planet."
"Knowing his story, it made sense that he had taken up the cause to address the Global Warming challenge and the fact that he was reaching out to leaders in the environmental movement to help with his initiatives was no surprise. If he is anything he is a good communicator and a consummate organizer."
"So even for those of us that were immersed in environmental issues in our daily life, it was an informative and inspiring conference. We all left with stacks of new information about the issue and quite energized about spreading the word about the impacts of Global Warming and the solutions that could change the projected course of events."
"That meeting of the minds, sewed the seeds for the formation of the Climate Reality Project in Canada. The mission of the Climate Reality Project is now "TO CATALYZE A GLOBAL SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS BY MAKING URGENT ACTION A NECESSITY ACROSS EVERY LEVEL OF SOCIETY."
"The Earth is facing a climate crisis, driven by fossil fuels. Climate Reality, is raising awareness and letting our fellow global citizens know that urgent action a necessity. In politics. In business. In every aspect of our lives. Everywhere. It is at the point that we need to take urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and speed the global shift to renewable energy. In the Us that also means taking action to halt the Trump Administration’s radical fossil fuel agenda. We also need urgent action to make world leaders strengthen and honor their Paris Agreement commitments."
"These original ambassadors of the cause went out to engage, inform and motivate the public to make change in their own lives and in our society. We do this by empowering everyday people to become activists, equipped with the tools, training, and network to fight for solutions and drive change planet-wide."
"That meeting of the minds, sewed the seeds for the formation of the Climate Reality Project in Canada. The mission of the Climate Reality Project is now "TO CATALYZE A GLOBAL SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS BY MAKING URGENT ACTION A NECESSITY ACROSS EVERY LEVEL OF SOCIETY."
"The Earth is facing a climate crisis, driven by fossil fuels. Climate Reality, is raising awareness and letting our fellow global citizens know that urgent action a necessity. In politics. In business. In every aspect of our lives. Everywhere. It is at the point that we need to take urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and speed the global shift to renewable energy. In the Us that also means taking action to halt the Trump Administration’s radical fossil fuel agenda. We also need urgent action to make world leaders strengthen and honor their Paris Agreement commitments."
"These original ambassadors of the cause went out to engage, inform and motivate the public to make change in their own lives and in our society. We do this by empowering everyday people to become activists, equipped with the tools, training, and network to fight for solutions and drive change planet-wide."
"I started speaking to groups on behalf of the Climate Reality Project the next week. It all started with only 30 of us doing talks around the country. We were also recruiting community leaders to take up the challenge and become part of this educational movement by engaging and motivating their local communities to take action. I have been doing a climate crisis talk every few weeks now for a decade, at Our Eco Centre, at events organized by our magazine, and for any organizations that requested a presentation."
"As a result of the efforts of those original climate ambassadors, there are now over 19,000 Climate Reality Leaders mobilizing communities in over 150 countries. Branches in 10 critical nations and regions around the Earth with 100 activists chapters (and growing). Together, they add up to a powerful movement growing by the day. One by the people. Of the people. For the planet."
"Everytime I have met Al Gore he has continued to impress me. He has been tremendously supportive as a personal mentor and in the manner in which he has lead these efforts. So I easily take my hat off to him and thank him for his dedication to the evolution of our culture and to the future of our only home, Earth."
"As a result of the efforts of those original climate ambassadors, there are now over 19,000 Climate Reality Leaders mobilizing communities in over 150 countries. Branches in 10 critical nations and regions around the Earth with 100 activists chapters (and growing). Together, they add up to a powerful movement growing by the day. One by the people. Of the people. For the planet."
"Everytime I have met Al Gore he has continued to impress me. He has been tremendously supportive as a personal mentor and in the manner in which he has lead these efforts. So I easily take my hat off to him and thank him for his dedication to the evolution of our culture and to the future of our only home, Earth."
Eco Educator
Garnet has put his his talents and resources behind projects he feels will make a true difference. He founded the Earthwalk Eco Education Center , a holistic health centre called Serenity , the Visioneers think tank, a Sustainable Living Magazine and Earthworks Eco Villages a consulting service for eco village design.
He continues to facilitate and mentor organizations that have a focus on outdoor education, natural health and environmental programing..
Garnet has put his his talents and resources behind projects he feels will make a true difference. He founded the Earthwalk Eco Education Center , a holistic health centre called Serenity , the Visioneers think tank, a Sustainable Living Magazine and Earthworks Eco Villages a consulting service for eco village design.
He continues to facilitate and mentor organizations that have a focus on outdoor education, natural health and environmental programing..
The Adventurer
The Visioneer
Communicator - Innovator - Visioneer
To Contact Garnet's Agent Call 888-844-3444 x7
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Booking Garnet
Garnet McPherson can be booked through his agent MyGoToExpert.ca for the following services: Communication Design
Eco Social Design
Call Us To Book Garnet For:
Drop Us A Note Or Simply Call Us at MAGI Communications 888-844-3444 x7 |
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We also gratefully and respectfully acknowledges that our activities take place on unceeded First Nations territories.
We acknowledge and are saddened by the on-going impact of colonization and we are grateful for the environmental awarenes and teachings of First Nations culture.
We acknowledge and are saddened by the on-going impact of colonization and we are grateful for the environmental awarenes and teachings of First Nations culture.