We can all agree that feeling like a part of the pack can not only boost personal morale, but the whole team’s productivity and success. Here in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan at Tolko’s oriented strand board (OSB) Woodlands division, we are no different. In this article, I would like to introduce you to the paws that not only run this division but contribute to a greater sense of community and team within Tolko Industries as a whole. In no particular order, let’s meet the pack.
Our first member is Emmet. Emmet is a cuddly black Lab who enjoys playing fetch, swimming, and going on walks in his free time. During the day, he is hard at work with his owner, Travis, who is a Woodlands Operations Manager. They have many responsibilities, including looking for new technology and innovations to ensure the woodland’s team is up to date, as well as creating financial reports and budgets. Together, they work to ensure safety within the pack, continue employee development, and address operational items. Emmet and Travis are also responsible for liaising with the government of Saskatchewan, our OSB mill, and the Tolko corporate office to align and communicate the long-term goals of Tolko Industries.
Next up, we have Zeus. You can always find Zeus ready for action, this gentle German shepherd loves the outdoors, whether that be playing fetch or going for a ride in his work truck. He is full of energy, but super sweet when interacting with youngsters. His owner, Tharren, is a Woodlands Supervisor, focused on planning harvesting. Together, this duo focuses on forest planning, developing operation plans for cut blocks, the construction of roads, and placement of crossings (bridges, culverts, and cross-drains). This package ensures a smooth and productive forest operation when the time comes for contractors to hit the ground running. Zeus and Tharren also coordinate stakeholder engagement. Community involvement and knowledge is very important to our team, and these two are always delivering great tours and information sessions to our stakeholders in the area.
Then we have Marshall, the Akita. He was originally supposed to be a guard dog, but he just gets along too well with everyone he meets! While he does keep the bears and coyotes away, he is very mellow and one of his favourite activities is to nap. Marshall also enjoys the hunt – the shed hunt for deer antlers. Chad is Marshall’s owner, and he is a Forestry Superintendent, with a focus on Indigenous Relations. Together, they build and maintain the important relationships with our local land partners and the First Nations and Indigenous communities. Additionally, this pair is responsible for supporting operations within the woodlands division through scheduling harvesting and ensuring the proper connections are made to support the operations plans being followed, the forest management goals, and honouring partner agreements.
The next part of our division is Nisto. This happy-go-lucky Labrador retriever is originally from the big city, but she is settling into the pack and our small-town outdoorsy lifestyle with ease. Nisto is always, and I mean always, happy to see you, especially if you bring another puppy pal for her to play with. Her favourite activities include swimming in each and every puddle she can find along her runs in the bush. Her owner, Duncan, is a Woodlands Supervisor. Together they implement safe and responsible forest management practices, for both contractors and the environment. They coordinate and supervise operations including harvesting of forested areas, the hauling of cut forested products, and road construction within our forest management area and Saskatchewan’s provincial forest.
Next is a duo of Cooper & Bennett. Cooper is a loyal and obedient Labrador/ hound mix who loves hiking in the woods and playing fetch with his tennis ball. Though he is not much for cuddles, he can appreciate a good pet. Bennett is on the silly side; he will acknowledge that you have called for him – but that’s pretty much it. This golden Lab prefers to munch on grass at the park while his brother Cooper plays fetch. Bennett does enjoy swimming and ensuring that he is as stinky as possible for his ride home from the bush. This duo is owned by Jess, who is a Woodland Operations Supervisor. Together, these three are focused on developing harvesting schedules, and implementing them in a way that promotes safety and the following of environmental protocols. The three of these guys can be found supervising logging operations, the log haul, and road development within our forest management area.
Following our duo, we have Daisy. This little min pin/ Chihuahua cross is shy at first, but once she gets to know you, she is just as loving and playful as any of our other pack members. Daisy is our office dog; she protects us from anyone unknown who enters the office and ensures we are stocked up on everything we need. In her free time, Daisy loves to cuddle with her foster brother, Gains. She enjoys running through the tall grass, feeling the breeze on her little face and the grass on her little paws. She and Candy, her owner, always ensure the office runs smoothly. They are tasked with completing pay run and invoice processing for the logging operations that occur in our forest management area. As well, these two produce financial statements, and conduct the month-end process we have within the division.
Our next pack member is Walter, or Wally for short. This golden retriever is arguably the happiest guy around. Packed with silly energy, Wally is always on the hunt for his next hit of attention. He loves to ride in his truck, play fetch, and swim – in all bodies of water ranging from lakes to his water dish. Walter is owned by Morgan, a Woodlands Supervisor. Together they focus on supervising the harvesting, hauling, and road construction that occurs within our forest management area. They emphasize safe conduction of activities in the work environment and the adherence to environmental policy. Additionally, Wally and Morgan oversee leading the division’s silviculture program, where reforestation occurs following the harvesting of provincial forest areas.
Up next, we have Coco! Our German shorthaired pointer is very energetic, known to her neighbours as ‘Speedy’. She loves to greet her guests at the door and meet everyone she can. Coco loves the outdoors, whether it be running laps in the yard with her friends, or hunting and fishing with her owner, Erik. At the end of a long day, you can find her giving you the puppy dog eyes for cuddles. Erik is our Log Yard Supervisor; he and Coco manage our OSB mill’s log yard. Together they forecast wood deliveries and decide where wood is to be placed in the yard based on its age. They employ a ‘first in first out’ basis when managing the wood and always make sure to meet all environmental regulations within our mill’s yard.
Finally, we have Tammy. She and her pup were away on vacation during the time of writing this article, so I couldn’t get a comment or photo from them. Their responsibilities include running the scale house in our log yard. Every load of product goes through them before hitting the OSB mill’s yard. Tammy and her pup also play a large role in conducting the pay run for our division, setting up each log truck that rolls into the yard. Together with Candy and Daisy, this team sets us up for success, not only at every month end, but throughout the run of the average day!
We have two important members of our division that currently do not have a four-legged friend, but they are integral in the success of our division. Jordan, who is a Woodlands Supervisor, focused on planning the harvest operations as well. He oversees forest planning, developing the operation plans for cut blocks, the construction of roads, and placement of crossings. Finally, last but not least, we have Bailey, one of our Woodlands Supervisors. She is tasked with overseeing harvesting operations, hauling of products, and road construction to ensure a safe environment for workers and environmental policy compliance. Currently, these two are being gently persuaded into adopting their own member of the pack. We are hopeful that one day these two will adopt a pup to join the rest of the pack in the bush!
Whether a member of the pack is working in the office or in the bush, everyone plays an important role in the success of our Woodlands division. Although many of the team’s titles are similar, each member has a unique approach to their work and therefore creates a diverse pack. The support this division has for each other is key, and Meadow Lake acts as an example of success right here in our Woodlands division of Tolko Industries’ OSB operation.
If you are interested in adopting a bush dog or furry friend of your own, please make sure to check your local shelter! Here in Meadow Lake, we have many loving dogs ready to be adopted and move into their forever homes. If you are interested in donating to the shelter to aid in taking care of these dogs while they await their forever homes and best friends, e-transfers can be sent to mldhs@sasktel.net. You can visit our Facebook page, Meadow Lake & District Humane Society to see all our furry friends. Thank you for your support, the pack appreciates your kindness.
