Monthly Archives: March 2019

Michelle Mercer is Tolko’s new HR advisor of diversity and inclusion in Vernon, B.C. After 21 years with Tolko, first as a temp, then 15 years in the woodlands department and seven as an executive assistant, Michelle recently took on a brand-new position that aims to increase diversity and inclusion at Tolko. She hopes to eventually eliminate the need for her job. …What advice can you share with women considering a career in our industry? I would say: what are you waiting for? Honestly it’s such a fascinating industry. I’ve been here 21 years and I haven’t stopped learning. I think the whole industry, not just Tolko, is starting to really focus on promoting and attracting a more diverse workplace, now is the time to jump in and join the forestry industry.

…Cottonwood Lake near Nelson draws thousands of summer visitors… Andrew McBurney [is] spokesman for the Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society, a non-profit group formed in December to fight logging plans that residents believe threaten the widely used park and the nearby Apex Nordic ski trails. Residents fear clearcut logging on adjacent privately owned land will destroy the scenic value of the small park and cross-country ski trails and, because of the steep terrain, could destroy unique wildlife habitat and cause landslides and flooding. …Hans Cunningham, a Regional District of Central Kootenay director, said residents and local politicians were horrified when they realized the land above the lake was about to be logged.

Rashelle Lala is a silviculture supervisor for Blue Ridge Lumber, a subsidiary of West Fraser in Whitecourt, Alta. New to the industry in 2015, Rashelle says it was encouragement from family and a draw to the outdoors that led her from her city roots to a career in the bush. And she hasn’t looked back. …Any advice to share with others interested in joining the industry? Definitely don’t be intimidated and work hard. It’s not something you can just get into; you have to work at it. I think that there is a perception that it’s this male-dominated industry. But there are so many women now and more are getting into it. From the very start of my forestry path I’ve had a lot of strong and empowering women to look up to. 

RCMP arrested three people after they allegedly obstructed vehicles entering a worksite north of Kaslo. …The three people arrested are part of the group Water for Life… group representative Jessica Ogden states that “mass clearcutting of our bio-diverse, climate stabilizing forest reduces our community’s ability to combat climate crisis through carbon sequestration. The group asks for the cancellation of all cutting permits in community watersheds. …Bill Kestell, forest manager for Cooper Creek Cedar… was concerned about what he said is misinformation being given by the protesters. …Under the process known as the professional reliance model, a professional forester creates a cutting permit that “meets or exceeds the eight government stated objectives. …That assessment work is presented to government which then issues a permit.

Judy Vasily

Judy Vasily, a registered professional forester, is the senior manager of strategic planning and business development in the Residual Fibre Group at Canfor Pulp in Prince George, B.C. As she advanced in her career, Judy was often the only woman in the room. She is now happy to be inspiring a growing number of women joining the industry. CFI: How did you get into the forest industry? I’m going into my 20th year at Canfor and I’ve been in the forest industry since 1993. I graduated from UBC with a forestry degree and then I wrote my exam and became a registered professional forester. …I absolutely love Canfor, it’s a great company, and there have been so many opportunities available. That’s really what kept me here. It’s kept me interested.

The 108 Greenbelt Commission has continued its work to reduce the risk of wildfire in the Walker Valley area of 108 Mile Ranch. This year’s work entails selectively thinning trees in two areas on the west side of the railway track through logging. “I’m happy to say that the Greenbelt Commission’s fuel management work west of the railway tracks has been strongly encouraged and supported by the BC Wildfire Service,” said Al Richmond… When all this work is completed, the BC Wildfire Service has said this wide fuel break will significantly reduce the risk of a serious interface wildfire in the area.” …Most of the logging in those areas has been completed with one small four-hectare area… require heli-logging operations due to a very steep slope. 

Judy Johnston

Judy Johnston is a plywood sales representative for Tolko Marketing and Sales in Vernon, B.C. She has been in the forest industry 43 years. …What led you to begin your career in the forest sector? It’s interesting to look back actually, from being in the mill and doing mill stats to woodlands logistics, sales assistant and then trader for 28 years. …Find an advocate, first thing. And just do it. Push ahead. If you want it and that’s where you want to go, get there. Use all the human resource assistance you can. …The rewards for working in the forest sector are good living. It’s a community. …When you learn about the industry and see that it is such an umbilical cord to everything we do, you sit up and take pride in it as well. …It’s a pretty cool industry.

It remains on their list but BC Timber Sales won’t be auctioning cutblock DL 1313 in Elphinstone until they receive direction from B.C. Forests Minister Doug Donaldson. “Staff have heard from BC Timber Sales that they are … on hold with respect to District Lot 1313 and they are awaiting the minister’s decision on this,” CAO Janette Loveys told the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board at a Feb. 28 meeting. She said ministry staff had also confirmed with SCRD on Monday that an anticipated letter from Minister Donaldson “is prepared, it just hasn’t been sent yet.” Directors have been seeking to take forest licence A91376, also known as the Reed Road Forest, off the auction list for several years. In December, they requested an immediate Cabinet Order to suspend the auction.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) won’t intervene in private land logging like their West Kootenay colleagues, despite mounting public concern in Fernie.  The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has been in negotiations to buy land owned by Nelson Land Corporation since last summer. …The potential deal comes amid concern planned logging will reduce the recreational and aesthetic value of Cottonwood Lake Regional Park and the Apex and Busk ski areas. …“The RDEK is not in a position to do anything about it. There’s a private land logging commission and there’s no legislation around that,” he said. “We have no ability to zone or do anything and if we did at this point, they would be grandfathered.”