This Czech-Jewish immigrant, who fled Nazi occupation, became a leader in British Columbia’s forest industry during the 1940s and 1950s. Based on his experience in Europe, he developed an innovative commercial use for hemlock, an abundant yet ignored wood, and promoted conservation practices such as selective logging, reforestation, and sustainable yields. He also set standards for safety, benefits, and fair wages, and built logging camps and company towns that became models for the industry. Koerner and his wife Thea established a charitable foundation, supporting the arts, education, and social programmes in the province.