More than just a forestry company
July 3, 2013 1:45 pm Leave your thoughts
The past couple of weeks working here at Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. have been filled with excitement.
I spent the other day driving to hawk hills to assess logging road conditions there with a fellow co-worker. We went as far as we could by truck, and then hopped onto the quads to get into the heart of the bush. We rode through muskeg, streams, and did quite a lot of bush whacking (and winching out) to get where we were going.
When in, we assessed stand conditions did some measurements and determined the average height of the stand. We were able to ascertain that this site could potentially be used in the summer because the soils were quite well drained in most areas and the area was fairly well maintained, having recently been frequented by oil and gas companies operating in the area.
I am also beginning to discover that DMI is really more than just a pulp mill and forestry company, they are also really active members of the community.
In an effort to encourage teamwork and reading in local schools DMI Peace River Pulp Division created and sponsored a reading program called A Million Minutes to Win It. They promised kids at local schools a big surprise if they read a certain amount within a 7 month period. This surprise was a carnival at a local arena, and as a DMI employee I was asked to help out with the event.
I worked at a booth giving out white spruce saplings to the kids. But before I would give it to them I would ask them to write what their dream is on a piece of paper cut out in the shape of a leaf. After they did this I would tell them, go home and plant your tree and as your tree grows it will remind you that you are getting closer and closer to making your dream a reality. I got many responses like: my dream is to fly, or be a millionaire, be veterinarian, be a star NHL player or even to bring about world peace. It was amazing to see what these kids wrote and at times even humbling. Although this event wasn’t directly related to forestry I was still pleased to take part in it and think it’s great that DMI makes such an effort to be involved in the community and encourage such values.
Keep an eye out for my next blog, and stay classy readers