First Resource Management Group (FRMG) is a growth-oriented firm situated in northeast and southeastern Ontario and Quebec. Our goal is to provide sustainable resource management services to our clients throughout Ontario and Quebec. Our multidiscipline team provides management services on 10 million hectares of Crown Forest in Ontario and Quebec. The scale of our operations creates a diversity of forestry challenges and a unique opportunity for new team members to learn from other professionals. Our core competency in forest program planning and implementation allows our forest industry, government and Indigenous clients to focus on their own core businesses, that is tenure and supply chain management.
We are active in developing nature-based solutions for our environment and climate. Our SkyForestTM remote sensing technology is being used on forests across Canada. Come grow with FRMG. FRMG rewards entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, continual improvement, a focus on customer satisfaction, and dedication to collaborative teamwork within our organization.
For more information about this job posting and how to apply see the link below.
In response to the urgent need for sustainable forest management practices, the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry is embarking on a series of field-based experiments to explore the benefits of variable retention and cutting-edge equipment. Led by esteemed forestry experts Dr. Suzanne Simard and Dr. Dominik Roeser, The Kantelberg Trials represent a step forward in addressing biodiversity and carbon deficits in industrialized conifer plantations.
With the aim of restoring ecological balance and enhancing carbon sequestration, these trials explore innovative variable retention alternatives to traditional clearcut logging helping to diversify forest management practices in BC.
The Trials
Photo of the Kantelberg Douglas-fir forests – 40+ years ago.
At the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF), the research project is taking place across more than 30 hectares of coastal Douglas-fir plantations established in the 1960s and early 1970s. During this era, the silvicultural practices, including seed collections, seedling nurseries, and tree planting, were not like today. Availability of seedlings, other than Douglas-fir were limited, and researchers and foresters envisioned more intensive silviculture practices intended to maximize volume yield and economic returns. “This led to monocultures of Douglas-fir in ecosystems and site conditions that historically included mixtures of species, such as western redcedar, big leaf maple, and western hemlock,” says Hélène Marcoux, Registered Professional Foresters Manager at MKRF. “The research project aims to help transition these stands to future healthier forests with greater species, age, and size class diversity.” It will test a range of tree retention levels and patters, as well as and different forest operational approaches – a combination of whole-tree harvesting systems and cut-to-length harvesting systems, more commonly used in Europe.
Embracing Innovation
One of the key objectives of the research project is to investigate the integration of innovative equipment and operational practices, to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of alternative logging techniques that prioritize forest health and ecological resilience. This will contribute to setting a new standard for sustainable forestry practices and will represent one of the first attempts to restore biodiversity and carbon stocks in industrial plantations in BC.
“The forest sector in BC is undergoing a rapid transformation and new holistic solutions are needed to address the many challenges forest managers are faced with today,” says Dominik Roeser, Associate Dean, Research Forests & Community Outreach.” This research project is critical to help us expand our forest management and silviculture approaches to further enhance all the different values our forest ecosystems are providing to society in terms of carbon storage, biodiversity, recreation and economic benefits.
Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
Protecting Forest Health
At the heart of the research project lies the preservation of large trees and the revitalization of understory plant communities. Using equipment originally developed in Europe, the trials aim to minimize forest floor disturbance and safeguard critical habitat for diverse flora and fauna while maintaining economic sustainability.
The research project builds upon the foundational insights of Dr. Suzanne Simard’s Mother Tree Project, which highlighted the ecological significance of overstory tree retention. Through fine-tuning variable retention silviculture systems tailored to local conditions, the trials aim to achieve multiple objectives.
Drawing upon past research successes, the research project represents a crucial step forward in reconciling forestry practices with ecological imperatives.
Research Legacies of the Past
Planting machine used to “plant” seedlings from today’s Kantelberg sites (circa 1974).
Many of these 50–70-year-old coastal Douglas-fir plantations at the MKRF were part of cutting-edge forestry work at the time. Every student enrolled at the faculty of forestry in the 1970s and 80s were familiar with Jack Walters (Director of the MKRF from 1968-1985) planting machines – automated planting systems that used planting “bullets” that contained seedling roots which were deployed in the soil with “planting guns” mounted on tractors and mechanized planting machines. Although Jack Walter’s vision of mechanized tree planting never garnered commercial success, his concept of containerized “bullets” was adopted by the silviculture industry – and led to the birth of today’s seedlings “plugs” used in annual planting of over 300 million seedlings in BC.
Inviting Public Engagement
As the research project unfolds, the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest invites the public to join in witnessing the future of forestry. A public tour titled From No Growth to Old Growth will be held at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest on April 6. Led by forestry experts, this tour promises an immersive experience into the world of sustainable forest management, offering participants the opportunity to gain insights into the techniques being employed and the ecological significance of the trials. The public can register for the From No Growth to Old Growth tour here.
The research project represents a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable forest management. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and ecological stewardship, these trials exemplify the University of British Columbia’s commitment to shaping the future of forestry for generations to come. As we explore new frontiers in forestry, the Kantelberg Trials offer hope for a more resilient and vibrant forest ecosystem, where ecological health and human well-being are intricately intertwined. Join us on this journey as we pave the way for a sustainable and thriving forest ecosystem.
Dominik Roeser
Since starting at UBC in 2018, Dominik has built a forest operations research program at UBC focusing on supply chain design, forest technology implementation, steep slope harvesting, and biomass operations. Before coming to UBC, he was working at FPInnovations where, as Senior Director, he managed a multidisciplinary team focused on improving the competitiveness of the forest sector and developing practical solutions to improve efficiency of forest operations and reduce the impact of wildfires in Western Canada. Dominik has more than 21 years of experience in forest research and innovation and has been working with industry to develop solutions that support the emerging bioeconomy both in Europe and in Canada.
Suzanne Simard
Suzanne Simard, a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and author of “Finding the Mother Tree,” is recognized for her pioneering work in plant communication. Her research on below-ground fungal networks has shed light on the role of Mother Trees in forest ecosystems. With over 200 peer-reviewed articles and a widely viewed TED talk, she effectively communicates complex scientific concepts. Her insights offer valuable considerations for forest management amidst challenges such as climate change.
I have been working as a GIS Business Analyst in Korotu Technology, a startup that seeks to provide stakeholders with technologies to fund, protect, and grow Nature-based solutions.
For the last 4 out of 8 months in this internship, I was tasked to create a windthrow prediction model for Nova Scotia after being hit by a post-tropical storm. The remote position involved integrating data sources and literature review in my work, but in-person forestry workshops.
This coop position let me understand how natural solutions are implemented on a provincial scale, as well as being adaptable under different project constraints.
Climate Action Technician; Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps
During my third Co-op Term, I have been working with Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps as a Climate Action Technician.
This term I have been working on a Wildfire Risk Reduction Project in the Kimberley Nature park In Kimberley, BC. This project entails the thinning and clearing of fir, spruce and larch regeneration. The goal is to reduce the risk of having a high intensity fire in city limits.
The site we are working on is also an important habitat area of the endangered Williamson’s sapsucker, so we are also trying to reduce the risk of a fire destroying the important habitat for this bird.
This Co-op term has taught me many new skills like how to properly and safely operate a chainsaw, something I never thought I would learn!
Halalt First Nation (HFN)’s Lands and Resources Department is seeking 2 full-time Environmental Technicians to assist with the Nation’s participation in the Salish Sea Initiative, freshwater stock assessment and related projects within its traditional territory. HFN is a small indigenous community located near Chemainus, BC, with a traditional territory encompassing mid-Vancouver Island, the Salish Sea, and the Fraser River area. HFN and its staff work closely with other Quw’utsun Nation communities, including Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Lyackson First Nation, and Stz’uminus First Nation to develop, coordinate, and implement regionally important environmental monitoring and stewardship programs.
Please see the link below for more information and how to apply.
VAST Resource Solutions Inc. (VAST) is a diverse environmental, engineering and forestry consulting company. We are a trusted advisor and regional expert, delivering professional and practical solutions for complex and challenging projects across multiple industries. VAST is a locally owned business based in Cranbrook, British Columbia (BC) and gives back to the communities we serve throughout the beautiful Kootenay regions of BC.
VAST embraces a culture that provides a welcoming and empowering environment for our employees to advance their careers, embrace new challenges, and grow their expertise while working within a collaborative, energetic, and passionate team. Employees are truly valued and respected, allowing for flexibility, creativity and an innovative approach to work/life balance.
For more information on this position and how to apply please see the link below.
Tree Planting is ideal for financially motivated individuals looking to challenge themselves. It is extremely demanding but it is also very rewarding in terms of personal growth and compensation. We are a large social camp, with a good work life balance.
For more information on this job posting and how to apply please see the link below.
Research & Development Intern; University of Rosenheim, Germany
“As a research and development intern at the University of Rosenheim in Germany, I have had the pleasure of immersing myself in a new culture both inside and outside of work.
The opportunity to live and work in another country without permanent employment has been cherished due to the finite timeline of the internship, allowing for a valuable experience without a long-term commitment.
Lastly, gaining insights into the forest industry in another country has been exceptionally interesting, highlighting both similarities and differences. For students interested in traveling or participating in an exchange study program, international co-op should be considered as a more productive alternative.”
Dan Macmaster graduated from the Master of Sustainable Forest Management program at UBC Forestry. He is currently working as the Forestry Manager and Registered Professional Forester (RPF) for the Osoyoos Indian Band and West Boundary Community Forest.
What drew you to pursue the MSFM program at UBC Forestry, and how has it impacted your career?
I was a high school teacher for 15 years and really wanted to try something new in the forestry field. Being able to transfer from teaching to forestry through MSFM was perfect. The program recognized all the work that I’ve done in my “first career” and as a result, I did not have to start from scratch as I began my “second career” in forestry. MSFM gave me the opportunity to become an RPF and work in the forest industry in a very short time frame.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience during your time in the program that significantly shaped your approach to sustainable forest management?
The 558 project linked me with a company called Vaagen Fibre Canada where I completed a modelling project on their private land. Vaagen hired me right after the program was done and I worked there for 10 years as a manager. Even though that mill has shut down, this job brought me lots of opportunities and solidified my place in this industry.
How do you believe forest management initiatives contribute to addressing contemporary environmental challenges, and what role do you see alumni from this program playing in such efforts?
All of our lands should be managed in one form or another. MSFM provided an understanding that collaboration and communication are critical to all forest management decisions. With over 250 MSFM’ers out there in the industry today, one would think we are making a solid impact! I run into MSFM students all the time in the industry and government.
In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing issues facing sustainable forest management today, and how can professionals in this field navigate and address these challenges?
Involving First Nations at the start of all decisions on the land base. Developing partnerships (as a First Nations forestry manager) with other licencees and stakeholders is critical. Professionals can navigate the challenges in our forest industry by being creative, using the skills that the MSFM program taught us, and directly work with the local entities that influence land management decisions.
Could you highlight a post-graduation project or initiative that reflects the skills and knowledge gained from the MSFM program?
I’d say that developing a forestry department from scratch at the Osoyoos Indian Band was based on the knowledge I received from MSFM. There was a strong focus in my program in 2012/13 that First Nations will be at the forefront of forestry decision-making in the years to come. Back then, FN did not have anywhere close to the presence in land managing decisions as that they do today. I made those connections early and was ahead of the curve for Indigenous relationships thanks to the direction of the program.
What advice would you offer to current students or individuals considering pursuing a similar path in sustainable forest management?
Go to every conference or convention you can. Network. Hand out business cards. Meet people in the industry. Don’t settle for a “pigeonhole” job at a major licencee when you can make a much bigger difference working for a community forest or First Nation. It’s not WHAT you know sometimes, but WHO you know. Don’t focus on high-end modeling and detailed policies – that is not what helps local rural communities and First Nations get employment and bring in revenue. Start at the ground level when you are making decisions and relationships, not at the 10,000 foot level where no one in the Interior BC small town knows or cares what you’re talking about. Understand First Nations forestry management and community forests because they are the future. You will be responsible for the livelihood of so many rural communities, so get out there and be great!
Chartwell Resource Group Ltd. is looking for an ENGINEERING SUMMER STUDENT to join our team for the 2024 field season. The position will be primarily based out of our North Vancouver office, although alternate locations will be considered for the right applicant. Applicants should expect a heavy field component in their duties and must be willing to travel within the province for up to 10 days at a time. Successful candidates will get hands-on experience using Total Stations, RTK-GPS and other survey methods. Your work will be under the supervision of our EGBC and/or FPBC accredited members. Work terms of 4 or 8 months will be considered.
For more information about this position and how to apply please see the link below.
