Good things happen when specialists come together. This is particularly true in Canada’s forestry industry where collaborations between foresters and biologists can drive successful and sustainable project outcomes.
“Biologists bring a unique perspective to planning since they look at the landbase and the interaction between all components of the environment differently than forestry professionals,” offers Lorne Carson, founder of Carson Integrated.
Carson is a forest industry veteran who understands the benefits of these partnerships well. He runs Carson Integrated Ltd. alongside his wife, Tara Jamison, a professional biologist and the company’s Environmental Manager. Their team also includes a mix of foresters, biologists, agrologists, and GIS analysts who collectively deliver a broad range of expertise and skills to clients across the forestry, oil and gas, and aggregate sectors.
“We all have similar educations and background, but different skillsets and specialized knowledge that really complement each other,” says Carson, noting, “For example, our biologists are subject matter experts in areas such as wetland science or wildlife and fisheries, whereas our foresters are generalists in these disciplines but are experts when it comes to timber and forestry planning.”
The clients that work best with Carson Integrated, he adds, are those who hire the company for both its forestry and environmental expertise: “It lets us play to our strengths for their benefit. Our biologists can work with our foresters when needed and vice-versa, and that allows us to take on more complex projects.”
Ultimately, Carson says, “Our clients benefit from the fact that we have both foresters and biologists on staff who are able to work with them jointly or independently”.
Building industry bridges
Collaborations between foresters and biologists have their advantages. For this reason, organizations like the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP) and the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) have already started making inroads of their own. In 2020, the organizations hosted a joint Annual General Meeting which they plan to do again this year. The organizations have also launched awareness initiatives, including a video contest asking their members to demonstrate the value of building ties between between biologists and foresters.
“These types of collaborations occur more and more in our business, which is a good sign,” says Carson. “Anytime you can bring a broader knowledge base and technical skills to this industry, the better the outcomes are for everyone.”
Connections are being made, but there’s still room to grow. Organizations like Carson Integrated, AAFMP, and ASPB continue to seek opportunities that demonstrate the value of industry collaboration, both in terms of evolving the industry and achieving better project outcomes.
Lorne Carson is President of Carson Integrated, an Alberta-based team providing a full suite of environmental, forestry, and GIS solution for clients across Western Canada. Visit www.carsonintegrated.com, call 780-756-0510, or email info@carsonintegrated.com.
