John Daniel Ambrose

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John Daniel Ambrose is, above all else, a botanist. In 1974, he received a Phd in Botany from Cornell University. Soon after he was hired as the Curator for the University of Guelph Arboretum at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. During his time as Curator, Ambrose worked tirelessly to catalogue native tree species, and, long before it became fashionable to "save the environment" by planting trees, Ambrose dug holes, cultivated wild areas, and educated both the young and the old on the import of establishing diverse, native ecologies true to the relevant bioregion. After almost twenty years of devoting his time to the Arboretum and its commitment to the environment, the newly elected Conservative government and its profit hungry agenda slashed, not only the many trees which had been so carefully planted, but also many of the positions belonging to persons who had worked so tirelessly to maintain the equilibrium of nature and humans. Thus, with many of his colleagues, and more to follow, Ambrose was let go. During his time as Curator at the Metro Toronto Zoo, Ambrose continued to labour to re-establish the networks of plants, animals, and education which hover in such a tenuous balance in one of the world's most fertile eco-systems. Most notably, Ambrose established a butterfly garden that is the envy of Monarchs near and far. Like many Americans who came to Canada after serving time in Vietnam, Ambrose is mindful of how wars are prevented, not only by clever diplomatic efforts, but by establishing an integrated balance between commitment to local politics, the arts, and environmental practices. Thus, in Ambrose's retirement, his dedication to peace and mother earth can be seen in his tireless efforts to ward off big development as a volunteer for his local city council and build a home which will eventually allow him and his community to live "off the grid." Ambrose is truly the "man who plants trees."