Annika Clark: A GIS Field Trip: Flying Drones for Post Harvest Inspections: 2023 FPAC Green Dream Internship Program

  |  
August 18, 2023

When I hung up my caulk boots for a desk job this summer, I didn’t expect to find myself in the field. A few weeks ago, the Harvesting Supervisor, Patrick asked the GIS team to join him for a day in the field to fly drones. GIS siezed the opportunity. So on a sunny Thursday in July, with excitement, GIS jumped in a field truck and went on an adventure.

Me flying a drone

The plan for the day was to fly blocks in a previously burned area that had been recently harvested. The purpose was to check the harvested boundaries were correct, roads had been properly rehabbed and to audit other post harvest distubances.

We started the days tour with driving up the east side of Adams Lake. We stopped in at Interfor’s camp at the north end of the lake. We needed snacks for the upcoming big day of adventure. After the camp, we drove into the Momich. The Momich is a beautiful valley at the north end of Adams Lake. There was a large fire that went through it in 2021, leaving a lot of the valleys forest burned.

Harvest block that was flown

At the first block, Patrick showed the application he uses to create a drone flight plath for the block and how he flys it. It was actually quite simple. I had previously flown drones for work when I lived in Terrace, but it was interesting to see Interfor’s procedure. We flew 4 blocks that day.

My Supervisor, Alex, setting up the drone for a flight
The Controller for the Drone

After a full day of field fun, GIS was all tuckered out. We got to see new areas of Interfor’s tenure and learn about post harvest inspections. A day with boots on the ground was a great way for the GIS team to better understand what our foresters do on a daily basis. Thanks Patrick for bringing out the GIS team. Thanks Alex for being world’s coolest supervisor.

Harvesting Supervisor, Patrick, setting up the drone
For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
(613) 563-1441 x 314
Follow FPAC on X (Twitter): @FPAC_APFC
August 5, 2025
FPAC Welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s Support for Forest Sector Employees and Businesses
FPAC Welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s Support for Forest Sector Employees and Businesses
Read This
July 10, 2025
Five Canadians awarded national 2025 Green Dream Internship
Interns share the innovation, sustainability, and community impact of Canada’s forest products sector.
Read This
June 18, 2025
Canada’s Forest Sector Welcomes G7 Wildfire Commitment
Canada’s forest sector welcomes the G7’s commitment to address the environmental, economic, health, and social challenges that come with the increase in catastrophic wildfires globally
Read This
May 28, 2025
Canada’s Forest Products Sector Recognizes Top Talent and Innovation
PhD candidates Assira Keralta from Université Laval and Shayan Narani of the University of British Columbia are the 2025 winners of the Chisholm Awards for Innovation in Forestry
Read This
September 21, 2020
Lisa Raitt Honoured As Community Champion By Canada's Forest Products Sector
Forest Products Association of Canada recognizes former minister Lisa Raitt's leadership in the forestry sector with Forestry Community Champion award
Read This
November 13, 2019
The Search for Canada's Greenest Workforce
Canada's forest industry is a top employer and global leader in sustainability, forest management, clean technology and innovation
Read This
February 20, 2019
Opinion | Workforce Diversity - Canada's Forest Sector Branches Out
Forest Products Association of Canada embraces diversity and encourages women and indigenous to join the forestry workforce
Read This
August 13, 2025
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
August 11, 2025
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry | Green Dream Internship | Blog
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry
Read This
August 8, 2025
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
August 7, 2025
What’s in My Cruise Vest | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
The contents of your cruise vest are of the utmost importance when it comes to spending a long day in the bush.
Read This
August 13, 2025
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Finding Your Place as a Woman in Forestry | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
August 11, 2025
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry | Green Dream Internship | Blog
Beyond the Cutblock: What Cabin Owners Taught Me About Forestry
Read This
August 8, 2025
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Career Pathways and Development: How West Fraser Builds Careers from Within | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
Read This
August 7, 2025
What’s in My Cruise Vest | Green Dream Internship 2025 | Blog
The contents of your cruise vest are of the utmost importance when it comes to spending a long day in the bush.
Read This