Weekly Brand Management

My blogging is getting sporadic (at best) , but my brand and name still need to be managed. I’m not scared of the internet – and never have been – I just need to continue to formalize my presence on it. This leads me to work on weekly or bi-weekly brand management.

In a few months I will be managing and contributing to a work-related blog pertaining to our department (client group) specialty. We cater to communities, First Nations organizations, and their land and interests. See my LinkedIn profile in About for some basic info. As our blog develops and continues to reach out to new people and clients I will be putting more elbows in to “management” for further marketing and social media responsibilities. Then, I expect to manage a twitter account on behalf of the group in which I will not be ‘named’, but I expect the occasional exposure. Let it be known that I’m proud of my employers for taking these steps and finally reaching out.

Overall, I want to be happily searchable/googleable – as well as have a landing page for my name. That’s also in the works.

Anyhoo, my point is that my online presence is relatively formal and clean – but I need to continue to keep it clean and avoid online mistakes. Those mistakes rarely happen, but it’s the little things that add up. Like when I say shit or f*&# on a comment and it shows up when my name is googled because that is the nature of connectivity. So these things should cease to happen as I become more open to the applications I use which publicize me.

You know what this post also needs to mention? The ability to be an ‘entrepreneur’ and innovator at work without having to quit one’s job. We’re all entrepreneurs (says a good post I discovered through Brazen Careerist). There’s a lot of people out there yelling about the joys of working for yourself (and being largely broke and okay with it), but there’s even more to be said about companies that support you in starting a blog and running with it. That, and more importantly supporting you in keeping your work and life interesting and balanced.

As it stands my blog cannot and will not die as long as I need a personal platform to help manage my ‘brand’ and self online. Maybe a more businesslike approach will take the stage soon, but at this point here it is.

I’ll even occasionally put out a post or message like I used to. I’m still an environmentalist, afterall.

 

Hiatus & Development. Both.

Last time I went on a hiatus I came back strong, then basically quit blogging again.

It has come to the point that blogging is not really benefiting me, and I find it hard to put out meaningful posts. I also don’t want to. I have been focussing on work development (going well), my market and trading goals (it’s a learning process), developing a mindset for my own business goals, and of course finishing my certificate through part-time schooling.

These things seem to work for me. I’m too busy and scatterbrained to blog.

I liked where my new blog was going, so perhaps I’ll be back when I can muster up the motivation.

In the meantime I’d be surprised to see that I have any readers left.
Adieu.

 

The Participating Youth, or Lack Thereof…

When I was young I had the amazing experience of growing up in two of the most economically poor, yet ecologically rich countries in the world; the Philippines, and Bangladesh. These two tropical nations are truly diverse in both landscape and species richness. Bangladesh, basically a giant river delta built by the Himalayas; and the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands.

At that young age, where did I learn most about rainforests and the concept of ecology, one might ask? In the classroom: drawing tropical themed posters of endangered species, not even particularly native to my areas. In air-conditioned rooms, talking about the demise of Amazon frogs. Learning with the weight of past atrocities on our shoulders. Looking into a seemingly bleak future.

There is a problem in our elementary school systems that puts baseball skills before environmental, and surrounding area awareness.

I was certainly lucky to have traveled extensively with my family, though. Neither of my parents worked in the field of science, but where there was a park we visited it. Some of the best in India, Thailand, and Bangladesh, I might add. When on a school trip from Dhaka to Nepal we may have taken our time assessing our surroundings, and even talked about the cultural history – but there certainly wasn’t an ecological or biological component to speak of. What we didn’t actively learn about natural history in such a rich environment now boggles my mind. The farthest I remember going to study anything remotely scientific during elementary school in Manila was to the roof of our building to see how much pollution stuck to our Vaseline-coated jars. An eye-opening study, yes, but hardly designed to get us thinking in terms of our environment and its people.

By my own will, unlike many others I’m sure, I have learned more than I ever could have imagined about ecology and natural systems; but only because I tried. Furthermore, it is local knowledge that is interesting and useful.

Some of the easiest and best methods in educating the youth on their surrounding environment is taking them out into their surrounding environment! Sure, teach bits about the Amazon, as it has much to teach us; but allowing children local knowledge, then showing them that it actually exists is real, visual, and participatory. Furthermore, children should learn to be active participants of their community. There is a severe lack of willingness to volunteer plaguing my generation (hell, I haven’t done it in ages), and all it may take is early participation in community events. My school ‘volunteer’ events were mandatory setups.

It’s this easy: get kids connected early, and in simple, fun ways.  Future generations will see the benefits, even if you don’t.

 

Assessing My Local Footprint: You Should Too

Working with my classmates, reading a blog post on attending a conference, and completing my recent project: three things that have inspired me to assess and improve my local footprint.

When I say local footprint I mean involvement and care, not a ‘carbon’ footprint, though that would be good too I guess.

Some of my classmates are much more involved locally than I am. Which is only natural at this point because they are from the region and perhaps have been involved since they started working in the resource/enviro sector. They have been to local conferences and meetings regarding watersheds, or invasive species control, or general development stakeholder meetings. I have done nothing of the kind since I became too comfortable in my work area and would benefit greatly from getting involved. I may find consulting and business connections, I may find a new interesting work area, or I may just enjoy being surrounded by like-minded people who have local concerns.

Reading Jun’s post last month gave me, again, the idea that I should do more of what I used to do. When I was job hunting (and exploring) before a career choice became clear,  I was going to meetings and conferences. At least a few. That’s how I began to figure out the who-what-now with the industry, its future concerns and direction; and it’s how I got my current job. I was headhunted, which wasn’t even my full intention of being at the conference.

Completing my project also showed me the light, and that I need to get out there and look for local connections and opportunities. Furthermore, the distance I travel now to do client work gets ridiculous. So, in needing to contact stakeholders for my class project, and having it publicized showed me just how easy it could be to be more locally connected. Also, their resistance to becoming involved, and further communicate with me about my project left me wanting to force it upon them. They did not want to publicize to much information for fear of being associated with the project, as if it would be a bad thing. They also did not want to give the impression that they were affiliated with the University, would that be a bad thing? Overall, it is likely that they did not want me to undermine their current work, but they still have ‘not bothered’ to ask me for a copy of my research findings and recommendations. Honestly, they can do as they please. But if I were a park manager and there was ‘free’ research being done in my jurisdiction I would probably ask for copies to get a scientific perspective on the park ecosystems.

Anyhoo. Life goes on.

Recently, as well, a friend of mine down in Los Angeles’ facebook status was: …is proud that [his wife] brought recycling to their apartment building. How cool is that?! Seriously. That they lived in a complex with no recycling (is the impression I got) is one thing, but then they had it implemented. That is sweet local-footprint involvement. More than I’ve done recently, and I work in the resource/enviro sector!

We could probably all do with a little m0re local involvement. Don’t forget to look worldwide, think globally, etc…but never forget to act locally.

Here’s a link for Green Drinks, a worldwide event that happens monthly. I plan to participate in my city’s in the coming months. I also plan to research more stakeholder meetings locally, and attend at least three conferences or symposiums in the next year. It could help me (and my involvement in my direct surroundings) on many levels.

 

Remembering the Urban Forest

Whether it be forest, plain, or both: It was there before your city was built.

Having recently finished a school project I am reminded again that urban settings have their urban forests. Or, do forests have their urban settings? Either way, it would do our environment a heap of good should we – as often disconnected westerners – recognize that we make up the smaller part of the environment around us.

Cities are still part of nature. They affect, and are effected by their surroundings. They give and take. They even exhibit their own specialized biodiversity.

Take this areal photo, for example. At least 3 distinct types of terrestrial communities exist within this (approximate) one thousand sq meters. With a true orthophoto one can distinguish tree side and more given the stereo advantage, but a simple aerial photo can at least help one divvy up the communities by observing shades, slope, colours, and (to an extent) tree size. In any case, the differing communities are clear.

Vic area urban forest ex.

In a nutshell, my project was a Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) project for which I mapped polygons (distinct tree communities) in a city park to assess its ecosystems. I then suggested methods for park management or restoration based on ecosystem health and status using ground-plot data.

The methods were new to me, but the concept was not. And, it really opened my eyes to solving urban forest issues. Also, getting to know the invasive species vs. native species was a good way to further understand my environment. You start to realize what doesn’t belong, and can see where they are crowding out the natural species; natural species which traditionally would play a distinct role in maintaining habitat.

Here in Victoria it’s English Ivy that’s the problem invasive. It’s everywhere, and in some cases completely unmanaged because (besides the cost to the city) it’s ‘green’, and relatively accepted. Another one, Holly is an introduced European plant that is very common. Again, it’s accepted as decorative and has been around for long enough that it’s seen as natural. But when you’re doing a park study in a Doug-fir, Western red cedar forest stand and you run into a free-range Holly, you know someone’s either not paying attention, or has decided that a tree is a tree.

Urban forests should remain healthy and a priority to maintain a healthy urban setting. Importantly, and most already know this:

• They add shade to an already over-paved landscape;
• Provide biodiversity for nature to exist;
• Keep natural systems intact, and soils in check;
• Add to a city’s walkability, AND encourage healthy habits (like spending time outside); and
• Of course exhibit a certain prettiness.

So get out there and embrace a plant community near you. More use equals more attention.

**Have any more benefits to add? There’s certainly more, but it’s the weekend and I need to get off the computer.

 

Death From Above & Fossils in the Moonlight

I sometimes spend hours just looking at google maps and their satellite images. Scanning over huge cities. Looking at landscapes (and distances) to try to get a sense of the size of things.

First of all, if you can guess where this is, or tell me which major city it is near, I’ll…give you…20 points:

I wish I lived here...

Also, I like having a close look at areas that are being ravaged by industry, out of sight of the general public. It is likely that the more local population is aware, to an extent, of the activity and damage. But there are certain areas that just continue to amaze me.

The Prince George, BC area below is, some might argue, the historical heart of BC’s forest industry. You can see that in this satellite image. Nope, those aren’t golf courses. They’re cutblocks:

Prince George area, BC

…and a closer look:

Prince George cutblocks

I’ll give them this much: they left a riparian buffer surrounding the river that flows from the north. Cutting it pretty close though!

Northern Vancouver Island, below, is near where I live. It’s a beautiful place. Overall it’s hard to hide industry scars as they’re rather visible along major highways:

This is about 3hrs north of Victoria, BC

It’s not that I’m particularly anti-industry. And I’m not a raging tree hugger either. In fact, I’ve worked in the industry around the Prince George area, and on the north island. I just think that this age of industry is over, and that “they” went too far for as long as they could, and while they could. Now they’re screwed, no one’s buying product like they used to, and we’re left with a lot to “fix”.

Below is another cut-up area in central Alberta, though the forest is relatively intact. Those are probably oil and gas exploration seismic lines. They roll up and down these lines using sonar (and dynamite?) to measure the depth and density of the ground below; looking for indications of hollow ground:

Oil/Gas seismic lines

I just hope the forest industry is properly regulated in the near future, and funding support is directed to the right areas (plan to post on that soon). I can do what I can at this point in my career, but I’ll need more power behind me.

In conclusion, here’s what some are left with. Thanks guys, it’s been fun:

Louisiana Pacific, building materials suppliers. 1994-2008 (-97%)

Again, NOFX: …dinosaurs will slowly die (and I do believe no one will cry) I’m just F*#&ing glad I’m gonna be, here to watch the fall. Prehistoric [timber] industry, three feet in la brea tar. Extinction never felt so good.

 

Doing My Part With mini-Rants

Traditionally, we look to political matters for environmental concerns. We vote for someone who’ll do this, or that, or promises the other. Ten years pass and we’re in a bigger, more confusing mess. What do promises give us?

1) Promises ensure that your investments are safe. When in fact they’re being run (and traded) to the ground;

2) Promises ensure that your promisee can move on to other pressing matters;

3) Promises ensure that you don’t know who to turn to for answers to ecological catastrophe; and

4) Promises ensure that you believe what you’re told when asked if constant development is necessary.

Ladies and gentlemen, the age of trusting business ethics is over. We are flawed until we have the opportunity (or create the opportunity) to oppose and suppress risky behaviour.

This relates to anything and whatever. It used to be okay to turn the other cheek – but we risk progress by turning the other way. Canada stood and watched as our forests were raped then continually cloned and replanted. Households rejoiced when neighbourhoods sprung up on overpaved bogs. You and your husband jumped for joy when fifty grand was ‘made available’ to you. You bought a car; and jumped some more.

Position yourself to make a change in your lifetime. Individualism is key; community is relevant. It’s time to learn to farm. It’s time to eat less meat. It’s time to let those people who prayed on your manufactured dreams go broke.

In the words of Fat Mike, a true American hero ~ “it’s okay, allow yourself a little hate. hatred is not so bad, when directed at injustice”.