Joseph Robertson has spent a lifetime contributing to the preservation of wildlife and historical artifacts in Manitoba. He developed a protection program for polar bears, conceived the province's first wolf control program, and reintroduced certain species in areas depleted by over-trapping. Throughout his career, he has also fostered the active involvement of First Nations people in all aspects of wildlife and fisheries protection and management. His discoveries of archaeological sites and artifacts, and his efforts to ensure their preservation, have resulted in legislation to protect them and the creation of museums to showcase them.