Resource Technologist Co-op; BC Ministry of Forests
This summer, I’m delighted to return to my position as a Resource Technologist with the Ministry of Forests in Merritt, BC. Building on the valuable experience and enjoyment I found last year, I’ve eagerly chosen to continue contributing to the impactful work of the Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) program. This type of work requires good project management and collaboration skills as you often engage with several groups including First Nations communities. Contracting is another important piece that I have helping out with.
In addition to WRR, I have been more involved in the silviculture side of things. For example, I am currently working to develop a local spatial geodatabase that tracks polygons in areas of interest that have been laid out or planted. I am thankful for the courses I took at UBC that helped me develop my GIS abilities as I regularly use ArcMap or ArcGIS pro for creating maps among other things. I have also gone out and conducted free growing assessments which evaluate the success of reforestation efforts after an area has been logged.
Additionally, I continue to play a role in the Forest and Range Evaluation program (FREP), assessing sites for values such as water quality and stand retention. This program supports our commitment to evaluating the effectiveness of forestry practices under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), reinforcing our dedication to sustainable forest management practices.
Returning to this role allows me to further develop professionally while reinforcing my dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement. I look forward to another productive summer, collaborating with a passionate team and making meaningful contributions to forest management initiatives.