The Dirt: Confessions of a Tree Planter

In preparation for the main spring planting season, I wanted to release this interview with resources on dog safety. Of course this year with the pandemic a lot has changed, but regardless most of what we cover is still relevant for having dogs on and off the block tree planting! Here is Céline's post on KKR from yesterday for ALL planters with dogs this season: For planters with dogs, here is a fairly exhaustive list of items to add to your first aid + emergency preparedness kits. We have all been warned to come to camp prepared for everything we will need for the duration of our contracts. Please think about what your animal may need in the event of an emergency while you're in the bush! -Veterinary-prescribed parasiticide for fleas/ticks/heartworm (such as Bravecto, Revolution, Nexguard Spectra etc.) -Deworming (such as Drontal, Strongid etc.) -Any prescription medication or pain killers (such as Metacam, Rheumocam, Meloxicam, Gabapentin etc.) -Probiotic (such as Fortiflora) -Benadryl *XYLITOL-FREE! (2mg per kg of body weight every 8 hours as necessary) -Gravol (4-8mg per kg of body weight every 12 hours as necessary) -Pepsid (0.11-0.22mg per kg of body weight) -Laxatives (such as Laxaday or Miralax, up to 1⁄4 teaspoon daily) -alcohol, hydrogen peroxide (0.22-0.45mL per kg of body weight to induce vomiting) -Health supplements (such as Omega 3's, CBD etc) -Manuka honey -polysporin -saline tears -booties for burnt/ripped paw pads -brush, flea comb, tick key, tweezers -vet wrap, bandage tape, burn pads, gauze wrap, gauze pads, cotton balls, moist pads, non-adherent padding -sanitizing scrub, epsom salts, chlorhex soap -q-tips -thermometer + lube -tongue depressors -25G needle, syringe cap, sterile syringes -urgent care canned food -high viz collar, extra leashes, collars, muzzle, carabiner, seat belt attachment, properly-fitted harness -toys, poop bags -portable kibble bag -cauterizing sticks or flour to stop minor bleeding and ripped nails -scissors, gloves, nail clippers -identification: microchipping/tattoo/provincial or municipal registration -food for the duration of the contract, towel, cone, food and water bowls Céline Rytz is a planter, foreman and Joint OH+S Committee member with Brinkman Reforestation. She earned a pre-veterinary animal science Bachelors of Science in 2015 and has worked in several veterinary clinics as a veterinarian's assistant since. She strives to educate and support dog owners in forestry workplaces and remote communities throughout Canada. Céline constructed a project last spring for Brinkman's dog owners, specifically safety protocols while living in bush camp. I spent a fair amount of time researching online for any sort of comprehensive safety manual for dogs owners in the backcountry - whether for employment or leisure - and found very little information that was legitimate and complete. A version of her work was shared at the WFCA annual conference this year in Victoria, BC during the "Dogs in Forestry Workplace" session. Through nearly a decade of planting, she has witnessed numerous emergencies involving dogs in the bush- dog fights, musculoskeletal injuries, marijuana ingestion, insect sting anaphylaxis, hit-by-car, heat stroke/hypothermia, etc. etc. etc... Given most planting camps are a lengthy distance from any veterinary clinic, educating yourself on proper first aid treatment may reduce an animal's suffering and even save its life. LINKS KKR post with Dog Safety PDF: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58909687260/permalink/10157246910172261/ Email: bark@gmail.com

24 Apr 202042min

I release this episode to you a little early, so hopefully every planter has a chance to stock up on Boreal Folk products for their planting season this year. Planters supporting planters! Raph is a 3rd generation planter who worked for 9 years in northern Alberta. It was in the boreal forest planting trees where the idea for her business came about. She and her partner, also a former tree planter, own and run Boreal Folk Apothecary. Here is an excerpt from their website on the Boreal Folk philosophy: We bring you products that are natural, plant-based and wild crafted. We create our goods by hand in our 99 sq foot mobile workshop. Striving to keep a low ecological footprint is dear to our hearts. Our minimal packaging consists of recyclable, compostable and reusable materials. Our products are made in our wilderness lab. This captures the essence of the place these wild plants thrive. We selectively choose medicinal weeds that are growing in thriving communities and carefully harvest them using sustainable methods. We believe that wild plants are more potent than their modified, farmed counterparts which is why we seek them out in their natural habitat. With the best intentions for your skin in mind, we seek out the finest oils, plant-based butters, clay and steam distilled essential oils. We trust that beauty is found by using simple, highly effective products that share with you the healing powers of nature. Holding nature dear to our core values, we create our products as an ode to our vast Canadian wilderness. We invite you to join us and enjoy the rituals of a wild skincare routine. Raph has generously offered all planters a 20% discount code to stock up on supplies for the season, and will prioritize all planter orders so they get to you on time via Canada Post. I hope you enjoy this episode talking all about wild foraging, soap, and all the times Raph and I almost crossed paths haha. LINKS 20% DISCOUNT CODE: TREEPLANTER Website: https://www.borealfolk.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borealfolk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borealfolk/

16 Apr 202047min

You know the drill folks! Here is the update for any Alberta planters. Judi Tetro has been in the industry over 30 years, and is Chief Operating Officer with Brinkman & Associates. Judi directly manages Alberta planting camps and this year Ontario as well. She is also a WFCA board member, and is involved in planting in all provinces from Ontario to BC. She has a very wide reach on the state of affairs of the industry right now, so she is able to provide an Alberta update as well as some of the evolving situations in other provinces as well. Happy Easter everybody! Please share widely with your friends and fellow planters of Alberta and beyond!

12 Apr 202035min

This is a jam packed episode and a conversation I really enjoyed! Originally I set to talk about planting in Saskatchewan with Matthew Kent. Matthew is an 11 season vet, which is about 10 years longer than he intended. His fondness for planting is rooted in a love of both the outdoors and inner growth. When he's not in the woods, he's probably pursuing something 'spiritual' or watching cute animal videos. His main focus these days is empowering others through Ancient Lomi Lomi, a rare and sacred lineage of Hawaiian bodywork. After covering SK and some Manitoba planting as well, we got off into quite a tangent about the spirituality of tree planting. Matthew even asked me some questions and we delved into dealing with life struggles and mental health on the block, as well as how it can affect your season. I felt this is a really appropriate episode right now, especially to consider if the regular planting seasons go ahead with the isolation measures in place and how this could affect everyone's mental health...and also to reflect on what planting has taught us for the strange times we all find ourselves in at the moment. Re-listening to the episode as I made edits, it was astonishing how much we talked about that we all collectively have to face right now. I hope you enjoy this one!  LINKS Matthew's website: https://letyourlightspeak.com

10 Apr 20201h 40min

Pour les planters Québécois!! Naturellement, j'ai fait un mise à jour pour vous aussi! J'ai parlé avec Saul Clark-Gagnon, un entrepreneur sylvicole en Québec. J'ai demandé les mêmes questions que je l'ai demandé à Jordan Tesluk en Colombie-Britannique et Simon Montpellier en Ontario. Alors, on a discuté la situation aujourd'hui en Quebec, et ce qui s'a passé depuis Mars. J'espère que cette conversation vous aider un peu!! Partagez avec vos amies s'il vous plaît! Et encore, merci beaucoup pour écouter ce podcast!

8 Apr 202017min

Random ramblings straight from the tree planting block!

6 Apr 20203min

A special episode for dealing with isolation this season. I have spent A LOT of time completely off grid working as a geologist, and I have acquired many tools and methods to help in the process! I wanted to share some of these, so that all planters have time to prepare before May is upon us and we are (hopefully) all out planting trees! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to reach out. LINKS More about the InReach device: https://explore.garmin.com/en-CA/inreach/ Garmin InReach Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Garmin-010-01735-00-Handheld-Satellite-Communicator/dp/B01MRZ9ATL/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=inreach&qid=1585951198&sr=8-3 Garmin InReach Mini Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Garmin-inReach-Mini-Communicator-010-01879-00/dp/B07CR7PL54/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=inreach&qid=1585951198&sr=8-1 Garmin InReach MEC: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5053-915/inReach-SE%2B Garmin InReach Mini MEC: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5060-919/inReach-Mini Sunlight bar soap: https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/sunlight-soap-bar/6000159563438 @theholisticpsychologist: https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist/?hl=en Places to find planting-related gear: IRL: https://www.irlsupplies.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=5862 Deakin: https://www.deakin.com/products/?c=1343&g=5499 ONO Trading: http://www.onoworkandsafety.com Surplus Herby's: https://www.surplusherbys.com/shop Bushpro: http://www.bushpro.ca

3 Apr 202025min

CALLING ALL ONTARIO PLANTERS!! As promised, here is your own update on the planting season amid covid19. Sylvain Montpellier is a customer service representative for PRT, and he speaks to me from his home in small town northern Ontario. He is also a forest technician, currently working on his RPF (registered professional forester) and is a provisional member of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association (OPFA). PRT is the single largest tree nursery business here in Canada. If you are a planter, you know PRT! I ask Sylvain all the same questions I asked Jordan Tesluk, and we talk about the differences and similarities between tree planting in BC and Ontario. As always things are changing on the daily but this is the most up to date information. Things sound like they are shaping up well, have faith planters and listen to all the advice in here, as well as from the government and your planting companies!! Hope this helps!!

2 Apr 202023min