Preserving Paradise: Managing Swan Hills' Forests for a Sustainable Future
Nestled in the heart of northern Alberta's boreal forest, Swan Hills is heavily affected by local forestry practices. Simply put, healthy forests play a significant role in supporting local wildlife and biodiversity, maintaining water quality while helping to regulate water flow, and forming a highly effective means of natural carbon sequestration. They also support local industry and add to the fantastic quality of life that comes with living so close to nature. Properly managed forests can also significantly moderate the risk of wildfires, protecting communities and ecosystems.
Fortunately for Swan Hills, there's a relatively new local company focused on doing its part to help manage the region's natural spaces and preserve them for future generations. The skilled professionals at Top Height Forestry Consulting Ltd perform a wide range of services benefitting the area, including FireSmart planning, remote location tree surveys, tree measurements and diagnostics, and overseeing permanent research plots. They also perform pre-harvest surveys to classify streams and implement buffer and special management zones to protect the region's watercourses, migratory birds, and other wildlife.
After working together in the Alberta forestry sector for eight years, Emily and Fraser Pollock started Top Height Consulting in the summer of 2022. The first couple of years can be difficult for a brand-new company in the forest industry, primarily due to the cost of the equipment and vehicles necessary to perform this type of work, but as Top Height approaches its second anniversary, the company is going strong and continuing to grow.
"With the projects we've completed, we've been very successful. They've all been completed to the highest standard, and everybody's always happy," said Fraser. "We're just trying to do quality work and deliver accurate data to ensure we keep getting all the work that we do."
As Top Height enters this year's growing season, they have a few new exciting projects on the horizon, including a stocking survey contract in the Swan Hills area. This involves performing surveys in one or two year old cut blocks to ensure they are meeting the provincial standards for planting (spacing, planting the correct species, etc.). They will also begin caring for the Freeman River, Freeman Lake, Chrystina Lake, and Trapper Lea's campgrounds, including maintenance and repairs.
Fraser expressed his excitement about these new contracts and said, "We're trying to help Swan Hills out too. We plan on doing a really good job and making it look good; that way, it's a good representation of the area."
Fraser and Emily are originally from New Brunswick, where Fraser grew up on his grandfather's farm in the province's northern reaches. Fraser spent most of his time in the woods outdoors and explained that he sees many similarities between Swan Hills and the rural area he called home. Working in forestry came naturally to Fraser, and he loves that his work includes many of his favourite activities, such as walking in the woods, quadding, and snowmobiling in the winter.
Emily and Fraser first came to Swan Hills in 2015 and immediately fell in love with the town and area. They have made Swan Hills their home, establishing their family here and raising their 3 ½ year old son Barrett in the community. Fraser adds that Barrett loves taking part in the local snowmobile and quad rallies, receiving the award for the youngest snowmobiler in 2023. Fraser describes his son as a little forrester in training.
The Pollocks are heavily involved in the community, regularly volunteering for local events and initiatives and donating generously to these causes.
Top Height Forestry currently employs 12 experienced field surveyors for the summer months, including local residents from Swan Hills. They have even started taking on summer students from NAIT, providing excellent seasonal jobs and hoping to spark a larger interest in forestry.
The forest industry can sometimes have a negative reputation, but it's reassuring to know that Swan Hills has a local company dedicated to the community and the proper management of the natural spaces surrounding us.
Dean LaBerge, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Grizzly Gazette
