Another Two Weeks Gone By
June 9, 2014 2:32 pm Leave your thoughts
Well another 2 weeks have gone by which means I have even more exciting stuff to tell you guys about! Last week was pretty standard with being out in the bush, I did my first full block assessment of season. So basically what this entails is going into a cut block, after the planters are finished, and throwing a plot every 100 metres. Next you record the location, any quality infractions, and tree densities on the work iPad. So depending on the size and location of the block it will usually take a full day. Jesse and I completed a 65-hectare block and luckily didn’t see any bears! Next day I was in the office compiling the data to determine the overall quality and density of the block. Once that was completed I spent the rest of the week out and about with the tree planters, which is always fun but I still have quite a few names to learn.
This past week was different because I spent most of my days out of the bush rather than in it. Monday I completed a Hi-Volt Safety driving course. The instructors taught last minute avoidance techniques at high speeds and general proactive driving practices. The highlight of the show however was skid car training. Basically it’s a car on a platform which raises or lowers to send the car into either a front wheel or rear wheel skid. The friction can be adjusted to simulate black ice or gravel situations. Which provides you with a unique opportunity to practice getting out of skids in a controlled environment. It was not at all what I was expecting so I was grateful for the opportunity to practice. Here’s a video of the skid car in action:
Tuesday I went on a field tour put on by Climate Change & Emissions Management Corporation and Tree Improvement Alberta. First stop was the Grovedale test site where research is ongoing to develop a genetically improved aspen. As a side project the researchers are also looking into poplar tree improvement as well. Next we went to the HuAllen seed orchard in Beaverlodge. The orchard provides high quality seeds for reforestation, while maintaining a high level of genetic diversity. It was interesting to see these seed trees because they do not look like a superior tree. In order to maximize seed production the trees have to undergo a certain amount of stress, such as pruning, giving them their short stunted appearance.
A seed tree who’s cones have yet to be harvested
I’d say these two days were the highlights of the week. However Weyerhaeuser Timberlands hit a big milestone this past Friday. Friday we had a steak BBQ in order to celebrate two years injury free! Even though I just started I personally think that’s very impressive, considering the type of work.
Sorry guys I know this blog is kind of long but one last thing, I went to my very first chuckwagon race this weekend. My roommate insisted I have not lived until I see the chucks so we hit up Grande Prairie Stompede, so much fun! Next stop Rodeo.
Cheers! Brooke