Booklet - "Report on Forests of Western Australia"

A Report of Forests of WA from J Ednie-Brown, Conservator of Forests was presented to the Hon A R Richardson, MLA Commissioner of Crown Lands, Forestry Department, Perth, Western Australia in 1896.

Mr John Ednie-Brown was a prominent figure in the field of forestry and sylviculture. Born in Scotland in 1848, he was the son of James Brown, a notable expert in arboriculture. Ednie-Brown's early education was interrupted by his father's profession, and he spent three years with him in the practical management of nurseries and forest work. His career took him to various locations, including the Invercauld Estate in Aberdeenshire, Yorkshire, and Sussex. He also traveled to the United States and Canada, gathering valuable information on forests. Ednie-Brown's contributions to forestry were recognized with numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and the Silver Medal of the Scottish Arboricultural Society. His significant works include "Tree Culture in South Australia," "The Forest Flora of South Australia," and "Canada as a field for the farmer and laborer." He was appointed Conservator of Forests for South Australia in 1878 and later accepted a similar position in New South Wales. Ednie-Brown's research and efforts led to the formation of the Department of Woods and Forests in Western Australia, where he was the first conservator. His work was instrumental in increasing the export value of Western Australia's timber and establishing him as the 'first authority on timber in Australia.'

Ednie-Brown came to Western Australia in 1894. He was commissioned in 1895 to produce a report on forest resources for the State Government of Western Australia, undertaking research that included journeying over five thousand kilometres in a year, and leading to the formation of the Department of Woods and Forests, of which he was appointed to head as the first conservator. During his tenure, he encouraged the introduction of softwood plantations and sandalwood, and is credited with a fivefold increase in the export value of the State's hardwood resources. His reporting was regarded as careful and considered, despite his prodigious output. A reprint in 1899 of his extensive 1896 report is amongst his published works.