Work for a leader that cares!
16 juillet 2013 15:39 Laisser vos pensées
Picture this: a group of Canada’s largest forest product companies and prominent environmental groups sit down at a table.
The unlikely duo talks for a while. Surprisingly, the two groups walk away shaking hands, proudly holding an agreement that promises a better environmental future for all Canadians.
I am proud to say that my employer, Tolko Industries, was one of the parties that stepped forward to take a stand for Canada’s future.
The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement is the result of productive discussions between well-known environmental groups such as the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and the Nature Conservancy, and forest product companies such as Canfor, West Fraser, Resolute, and Tolko, with consultation from leading-edge forestry scientists. All of the parties wanted to agree upon harvesting boreal forests under sustainable circumstances, balancing ecological, social, and economic needs.
Firstly, the agreement addresses sustainable forest management practices in the Canadian boreal forests. Forest products companies and environmental groups agreed to establishing and implementing these sustainable tactics to ensure the future health of Canada’s greenest resource. Furthermore, the completion of a network of protected areas is being accelerated, to shield sensitive boreal regions across the nation.
The agreement not only focuses on people and forests, but also on the animals that call the boreal forest region their home. Thus, the agreement addresses recovery plans for at-risk species, including the woodland caribou. The groups are also particularly concerned about practices that affect our climate; the agreement makes promises to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at every step of the forestry life cycle. Carbon-friendly and biodiversity are two themes that Canada’s forestry producers wish to conquer as harvesting biomass and bio products are explored in an attempt to protect Canada’s environmental future.
Tolko and its industry peers are also committed to ensuring the sustainability of the communities that depend on them, such as my hometown of Vernon. The signatories agreed to advocate for Canada’s forestry sector, working to ensure sustainable profitability through innovation and competitiveness as a team.
Mark Tamas, Manager of Stewardship and Tenure at Tolko, says that he is “proud of relationships made across the sector, with scientists and environmentalists,” adding that this agreement will be of enduring value.
It’s no doubt that Tolko employees are excited about the role that Tolko has played in finding sustainable forestry management standards in the boreal regions of Canada.
“It’s a durable solution that allows economic prosperity with the confidence that the boreal forest is being managed responsibly,” said Tamas in a recent interview.
For me, it is incredible to see that my employer is raising the bar in environmentalism. As a new member of the greenest workforce, I am proud to carry about my work with the confidence that Tolko is willing to make an effort, with its customers, aboriginal groups, other forest products companies, and environmental groups, to create solutions for a sustainable future.
The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement reinforces my understanding that Tolko’s workplace is truly a progressive environment, finding innovative solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow. This unrelenting focus on sustainable, environmentally sensitive profit is important to the company’s success.
However, the agreement shows that Tolko is taking action to protect its communities as a whole. Tolko is dedicated to protecting the climate and environment of their communities and preserving the natural beauty and wonder of the around them. At the same time, the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement demonstrates that Tolko also cares about the prosperity and sustainability of its communities. My employer cares about the many families that rely on Tolko in all aspects, and is willing to take action.
To me, that’s leadership. I love working for a leader that cares.