The Australian forest and environmental history communities have lost one of their pioneering figures: the eminent forester and historian John Dargavel passed away on 23 July 2024. In addition to his many influential publications, John was a founding member of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Environmental History Network. His most recent contribution to the Network was to co-edit, with Ben Wilkie, a collection of essays titled Restoring Forests in Times of Contagion in honour of the 400th anniversary of John Evelyn, published in October 2020.
John was a long-standing member of the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, and they published this tribute to him:
Dr. John Dargavel, a long-standing member of the Fenner community, passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in forestry and environmental sciences. Born in London on August 15, 1932, John’s career was marked by groundbreaking contributions to the field of forestry, particularly in integrating social sciences into forestry practices.
John’s academic journey began with a BSc in Forestry from the University of Edinburgh in 1956, followed by an MSc in Forestry from the University of Melbourne in 1970. His PhD from the ANU in 1983 presented a radical analysis of the Tasmanian wood industries, highlighting his innovative approach and deep understanding of forest economics, planning, politics, and history.
John’s professional career spanned several continents and institutions. He worked as a forester in government and industry for twenty years, including a significant period at APM Forests Pty Ltd in Victoria, where he was in charge of forest planning and economic analysis. His academic career included a research and teaching stint at the University of Georgia before he joined ANU in 1982, where he remained a pivotal figure until his retirement.
A pioneer in forest history and social sciences in forestry, John founded the Australian Forest History Society and published extensively. His notable works include Fashioning Australia’s Forests (1995), The Zealous Conservator (2008), Science and Hope (2013), and the autobiographical Anthropocene Days (2023). His leadership in the late 80s and early 90s Otway Forest Management Planning Project, a joint project between the ANU and the Victorian Government, demonstrated his commitment to multidisciplinary approaches in forestry.
John was also a beloved mentor and colleague, known for his collegiality and dedication to his students. He held honorary positions at the Urban and Environment Program (RSSS), CRES, SRES and, finally, here at Fenner. His engagement with various academics and his contributions to numerous research and advisory committees reflected his lifelong dedication to forestry and environmental science.
John’s impact on forestry and his pioneering work in integrating social sciences into the field will be remembered and celebrated by colleagues, students, and the broader environmental science community. His contributions to forestry and environmental science will continue to inspire and guide future generations. He will be deeply missed.
When John published Anthropocene Days in 2023, he sat down for a rich and wide-ranging interview about his life and career with Jess Urwin, which was published in Global Environment.
The Forest History Society have included a number of tributes to John in their August newsletter, paying tribute to the career and vision of their founding president. The newsletter also includes several articles John co-wrote with his granddaughter and an exchange with John regarding the future of the Forest History Society.
