Photo credit Bill Heath [email protected]

It may be stating the obvious, but silviculture owners should run companies that make a profit. Whether firms are actually doing that is not so obvious. At least that’s what I have to conclude after hearing contractors describe their various business models at the last WSCA Pricing and Market Summit.

 It is apparent that most contractors are making money. At least many are making money flow through their companies. And at the end of the day, or the field season, there is some left over for them when things go well.

Your house. Your furniture. Your office supplies. Your musical instrument. You use wood on a daily basis.

Trees and forests give us more than just paper and because it is a renewable resource, they will continue to support us for years to come. The fact is, regardless of where you live in Ontario or Canada, you are intricately attached to forests and forest management. We are all users of wood so let’s talk openly and honestly about how we use wood and cut trees.

Yes, we cut trees.

The Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) is a not-for-profit association governed by a Board of Directors who report to its industry members and to the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD). FRIAA has a mandate to deliver programs and initiatives that enhance forest resources and that benefit Albertans. FRIAA has a strong track record of efficient program delivery with full public accountability.

I suspect you might be a lot like me when it comes to driving.  You’ve spent most of your life driving vehicles, covering many thousands of kilometers of gravel road all over the province. You’ve had no serious driving incidents, and consider yourself a good driver. 

Let me explain why this is the perfect time for you to take a driver training course.