Remembering Don Pigott

A Lasting Legacy in Whitebark Pine Recovery 

The whitebark pine community lost a giant this week. Don Pigott passed away in early November following a multi-year battle with cancer.

Don was a remarkable person with an incredible depth of knowledge about trees and the natural world. He shared that knowledge in such a welcoming and generous way that you were sometimes left wondering whether you were working with a mentor or simply spending time with a new friend. Don had impeccable knowledge of trees, the towns and backcountry of BC, and sometimes where the real limits were when it came to safety protocols.

I can recall introducing Don to some of my younger employees, who would watch with astonishment as he nimbly climbed trees with only a hi-vis vest for safety gear and his legs wrapped around the tree as his only form of safety harness. Of course, on his safe return to the ground, he would be sure to tell the shocked 20-year-olds not to let WorkSafeBC know what they had just witnessed.

No matter where you happened to be working, Don nearly always had a story about the region. His memory for detail was remarkable. I think most of us, at one time or another, have been told to drive down a particular road, look for a certain landmark, and then walk a short distance to find some rare or endangered plant. Somehow, he always seemed to know where to find the things the rest of us would never have known to look for.

Don also had a real way with words. While working on whitebark pine recovery, I frequently heard him say, “I would rather be in a boat with a hole in it than in no boat at all,” when referring to collecting cones from slightly rust-infected trees, or “We can beg for forgiveness” when doing things that perhaps required a little more permission. Those sayings captured a little of Don’s character and his approach to getting things done.

I’m also certain that no one, whether a student or a seasoned veteran, ever left Don without being sent a copy of his famous BC dining guide. That guide was something special. I can recall several occasions when we found ourselves heading out for dinner in an industrial park or along some backroad, with Don assuring me that if I had reviewed his guide more thoroughly, I would have been fully aware of the quality of these establishments.

One thing that went beyond his knowledge of trees, landscapes and safety loopholes was his ability to bring people together. He would always include the newest and youngest members of the teams in discussions with seasoned veterans and always made everyone feel welcome. I have gone for dinner with his seed colleagues in Maui, had beers with his college friend in Sparwood, and had Don teach my family about his favourite sleeping pad for the back of his truck, all thanks to his welcoming and inclusive nature.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have known Don for 25 years, to have shared a friendship with him, and to have had the opportunity to work alongside him on numerous projects. I remember him for his generosity in sharing his knowledge, his remarkable stories, his humour and his friendship.

Don was a longtime advocate for whitebark pine. He had an in-depth knowledge of the distribution and status of whitebark pine in Canada and worked tirelessly to advocate for and facilitate its recovery.

He collected cones. So many cones! Then he went and helped others collect cones. He was a driving force in the establishment of clone banks and the very first whitebark pine seed orchard in Canada. Don used his gift for connection to bring a mixed bag of veteran seed orchard specialists, conservation-focused parks staff, restoration practitioners and everyone in between together to get this off the ground. His energy and enthusiasm were boundless.

Don’s care showed up in the details. At nearly every whitebark pine gathering, he handcrafted wooden name tags for participants and even managed to procure a custom whitebark pine curling broom handle for a retiring colleague on the US whitebark pine board.

His stories were legendary, often accompanied by photos to back them up and a casual depth of knowledge so great that you didn’t realize the embedded wisdom until well after the fact.

Don was a founding member of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada and served on the board for 12 years. He leaves a lasting legacy in the whitebark pine community, both as a primary knowledge holder and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed.