Appendix 2 – Abbreviations in Silviculture

Last Updated: August 23^rd, 2011

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A List of Common Abbreviations

Planters and foremen will often see abbreviations that they don’t understand immediately. Here’s a list of some common ones, what they stand for, and what they mean!

ABC – Airways, Breathing, Circulation. An extremely important checklist in first aid courses.

AFS – Alberta Forest Service. This provincial agency is Alberta’s equivalent of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, although their involvement in reforestation and forest management in Alberta is much less than that of the MOF in BC.

AKA – Also Known As. Used to list synonyms for a word or phrase.

ATV – All-Terrain Vehicle. This is a type of vehicle that is designed for use in areas where roadways may not exist. The most common example of an ATV would be a quad or four-wheeler.

BCFS – British Columbia Forest Service. This is the old name for the Ministry of Forests. I have no idea why it is still being used on a lot of the buildings and trucks around the province. Presumably there is some sort of distinction between this and the MOF, but I haven’t found anyone that can explain it to me.

BCTS – British Columbia Timber Sales. This is the name for the branch of the Ministry of Forests that interacts with the public by being in charge of reforestation of land logged by small and medium sized logging contractors. BCTS is in charge of a fairly significant portion of the logging throughout British Columbia.

BMP – Best Management Practices.

CFE – Canadian Forestry Equipment. One of the top suppliers for planting equipment in Edmonton. They carry an extensive line of supplies and equipment specifically for planting, in addition to their general camping and forestry products.

CP – Cut Permit. Every licensee has to get a cutting permit from the provincial government, which gives permission to cut timber within a certain area. In BC, most cut blocks have a specific unique block number which associates with the cutting permit number.

CSA – Canadian Standards Association. This association regulates products sold in Canada, and provincial legislation or WCB regulations often specify that certain types of work equipment must meet certain CSA standards. An example would be Kevlar chain saw pants, because only certain types of pants are deemed acceptable for work use as defined by WCB and the CSA.

DEET - ??. A chemical compound originally developed (I think) by the U.S. Army, and now commonly used in the most effective insect repellents. All major brands of bug dope (Muskol, Deep Woods Off) use DEET as the main active ingredient, for repellents in both liquid and aerosol spray forms. Interesting trivia: Scooter grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia, living two doors away from Charles Coll, the world-famous inventor of Muskol.

DONDR – Donaren Drags. This type of drag scarification (see DRSF below) is characterized by occasional mounds scattered throughout the drags, providing random high spots for the seedlings.

DONM – Donaren Mounds. This type of treatment is made by a skidder with donaren mounded attachments. As the skidder drives around the block, a pair of scoops (one behind each rear wheel of the skidder) repeatedly take scoops of dirt out of the ground and flip them over. The planters are then required to put a tree on each of these mounds. Donaren mounds are generally the easiest type of mounds to plant, as they are typically smaller than excavator mounds, and occur in moderately straight parallel rows.

DRSF – Drag (Shark Fin) Scarification. This is a certain type of site treatment whereby a skidder drives all over a block and drags a large metal drum or rollers (possibly filled with water?) behind it, which crushes most of the debris left behind from logging, and spreads out the cones. Areas that have been dragged are typically replanted at lower densities than normal ground, under the assumption that the cones have been spread out sufficiently to allow for more successful natural regeneration (which will complement the planted seedlings).

EMS – Environmental Management System. This is a set of rules and practices that a mill or a planting contractor follows in order to protect the environment while carrying out all work.

ERP – Emergency Response Plan. A document which outlines what is supposed to happen to response to various types of emergency situations. An ERP usually specifies how workers should react (ie. meet at a specific “mustering point” for instructions), who to contact (list of communication numbers), and other specific instructions.

ETV – Emergency Transport Vehicle. This is the vehicle on a work site that is designated for use in safety situations or emergencies. Presumably, the ETV will contain the first aid equipment and have room to accommodate a stretcher for transportation of seriously injured workers.

EXMD – Excavator Mounds. (Aka. Hoe mounds). This type of treatment occurs when an excavator (construction site slang for a backhoe) digs holes all over a block and dumps the dirt from these holes in piles all over the block. The planters then are required to plant one tree on each mound. Excavator mounds can be fairly large at times, and are commonly found in wetter areas, where minimal disturbance to nearby watercourses is a priority.

FAC – Firearms Acquisition Certificate. In previous years, persons needed to possess a valid FAC in order to be allowed to purchase firearms or ammunition in Canada. With changes to gun laws over the past several years, I am uncertain about the exact status of the FAC system.

FIST – Forest Industry Seedling Transport. This is a large insulated fiberglass storage unit which is mounted on the back of a pickup truck. The purpose of the FIST is to allow for a greater number of boxes to be carried than in an open pickup (perhaps fifty to sixty average sized boxes), and allows for the trees to remain significantly cooler than a wooden box frame.

FMA – Forest Management Agreement. A Forest Management Agreement (FMA) is an area-based agreement between the Province [of Alberta] and a company that gives the company the rights to establish, grow, harvest and remove timber from a particular area of land. Like Timber Quotas, these agreements are also granted for 20-year periods with options for renewal. Forest Management Agreements require the company to be very involved in all aspects of forest management. Unlike Timber quotas or timber permits, Forest Management Agreements require long-term forest management planning and public consultation by the companies. The FMA holder takes the lead in planning and works with any quota holder or permit holder within their FMA. In return for an FMA, companies take on greater responsibility and accountability for forest management planning. The government approves the companies’ management plans. Under FMAs, there is no transfer of land ownership to a private company.

FTG – Free To Grow. Once a stand has reached free-to-grow status, it has reached the stage at which acceptable well-spaced trees have met the criteria for free-growing declaration as described in the standards unit. Basically, this means that the trees are at the point where active forest management no longer needs to be performed, and they can be left to grow to maturity by themselves.

GPS – Global Positioning System. The global positioning system is a series of satellites that transmit data to handheld GPS units, which allow a person to know their exact position (latitude and longitude) anywhere on earth, within a couple metres of accuracy. Blocks are often “GPS’d” which means their size is measured by these units, giving a very accurate description of how large the area is.

HNC – Hole Not Closed. An abbreviation used by checkers to indicate one of two types of air pocket faults, when the hole that the planter placed the seedling in was not completely kicked shut, and therefore the seedling’s roots are still exposed to air.

IRL – Industrial Reproductions Limited. One of the main suppliers for planting and forestry equipment in Prince George, located near the bridge on the Hart Highway heading north from town.

ISO – International Standards Organization. This international body has a whole bunch of different sets of standards for governments, corporations, and different entities. Each standard is basically a set of rules or guidelines or targets. If an organization meets that standard, than someone else can be assured that the organization complies with the rules or targets outlined. Basically, it’s a way to measure an entity’s quality in certain ways. There are certain ISO standards (identified by number) which are common in different industries. For example, a forestry company or mill might boast that it complies with the “ISO 14000” or “ISO 9001” standard. Look it up online for more information.

LFH – Litter, Fungus, Humus. This stands for the layers of organic material that general exist on the forest floor, from the surface (litter) down to the humus, which is the layer generally found on top of the underlying mineral soil or rock.

MEC – Mountain Equipment Co-Op. This chain of outdoor clothing and equipment stores is a good source for camping supplies. Their popularity is based upon the quality of the goods that they sell, at a reasonable price and with excellent customer service. Most knowledgeable planters highly prefer MEC to other places like Eddie Bauer and Land’s End for outdoor clothing.

MOF – Ministry of Forests (British Columbia). This provincial agency regulates licensees throughout the province, and also is responsible for overseeing a fair amount of reforestation contracts in the province.

MPB – Mountain Pine Beetle. A pest which has caused billions of dollars of damage to pine stands throughout western Canada. The pine beetle has been around for centuries, but did not usually cause a big impact on stands in BC and Alberta. However, after about 2000, the MPB population exploded throughout BC, and wiped out a large percentage of pine stands. The problem is migrating eastward into Alberta with about a five to ten year lag time since it really became a problem in BC. Many mills have been targeting pine logging since the problem became widespread, to try to recover a lot of the pine wood before the MPB killed it and it became rotten and useless. If you see large areas of grey/dead trees which look sort of similar to a forest fire, the cause was probably MPB.

MWD – Modified Work Duty. When a planter is injured in the workplace, perhaps through something accidental (such as a broken foot), or through a “wear and tear” process over time (such as tendonitis), some companies will keep that person on the payroll temporarily on a moderate day-rate, in an effort to give the injury time to heal, and therefore, accommodate the need to bring the employee back to full productive capacity in the most efficient manner possible. Persons on MWD are typically asked to do useful work around the camp or work sites that does not aggravate their injury, but allows them to feel like they are making a positive contribution to productivity of their work group. Modified work duty programs are not a sustainable expense in the reforestation industry, where compensation is based on piece-rate work, but if the system is not abused by employees, it can be an effective way of retaining the strength of the work-force in the long term, and building employee loyalty.

NMSP – No Mechanical Site Preparation. This means that an area has not been treated, and is therefore “raw” or “plant as is” ground.

OGR – Operating Ground Rules. Another set of rules governing what is to be done and what is not to be done when performing work activities.

PAI – Plant As Is. This means the same as NMSP (no method of site preparation). The area has not been treated or site prepped in any way, therefore, it is to be planted as you find it.

PB – Peanut Butter. You know this from childhood, but you still might be making PBJ’s (peanut butter & jelly sandwiches) for lunch occasionally.

PB – Personal Best. Some sort of personal record, such as “most trees in a day” or “fastest box” or “biggest money day.”

PHSP – Pre-Harvest Silviculture Plan. Before a block is even cut, a PHSP is written up, which details all activities to be carried out on the block, from the period before harvest to the eventual attainment of “free-to-grow” status many years after logging. Once the designated forester for the region is satisfied with the terms and plans outlined in the PHSP, he/she will sign off on it, and the harvesting and reforestation process is allowed to begin. For planters, the important thing to note is that the PHSP will contain information about planned reforestation of the block, such as species and density prescriptions, etc. These items may sometimes be amended during the planting process, depending on conditions and approval of changes by the forester.

PPE – Personal Protective Equipment. This refers to personal safety items such as hard hats, quad helmets, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, high-visibility vests, sunscreen, etc.

SFI – Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This is an American initiative, sort of a system of standards similar to the ISO standards.

SFM Plan – Sustainable Forestry Management Plan. This is a document or plan that a forestry company might adapt to guide their operating practices, with the goal of long-term sustainability of their operations.

SIN – Social Insurance Number. The Canadian social insurance tracking number, unique to all individuals. All persons employed in Canada must legally be in possession of a valid SIN. This nine digit number can also be assigned to foreigners with temporary work visas. Typically, SIN numbers for this category of worker being with the number 9.

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure. A lot of corporations will designate a list of SOP’s for various activities. As an example, if you’re refueling a quad in the field, a few of the SOP’s might be to check that there is a fire extinguisher on the quad, and ensuring that you are more than 100m from any running water, before starting to transfer fuel into the quad.

SP – Site Preparation. The method of site preparation for a block.

SP – Site Prescription. The document outlining the forester’s assessment of reforestation requirements for a block.

STARS – Severe Trauma Air Response Service. This is the Alberta Air Ambulance service.

TD1 – Tax Declaration Form 1. This form is filled out by all employees in Canada once per year, to determine taxation status on employment earnings. Full-time workers in companies that offer year-round employment often neglect to have employees re-submit forms on an annual basis, but in planting companies with seasonal work, you’ll probably have to fill one of these out for every company that you work for (unless you work as a sub-contractor).

TFL – Tree Farm License. A tree farm license (TFL) is a license a company can purchase from the government to gain forest management rights to a selected area of crown land for a period of 25 years, which includes exclusive harvesting rights. The owner of a TFL is responsible for resource inventories, operational and strategic planning, reforestation, and road building.

TSL – Timber Sale License. This grants the right to harvest timber from a specified area of Crown land within a timber supply authority or TFL area. This is mostly performed by Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (SBFEP) participants. The Ministry of Forests is responsible for operational planning, road building, and reforestation on timber supply authority sold under the SBFEP. The Licensee must maintain the manufacturing facility if required in the original license. Typically lasts for anywhere from six months to five or ten years, mostly non-replaceable. Typically used by small to medium sized operations.

UTM –Universal Transverse Mercator. Used for location references. The Universal Transverse Mercator is an international plane (rectangular) coordinate system developed by the U.S. Army. The UTM divides the world into 60 zones of 6 degrees longitude. Each zone extends 3 degrees east and west from its central meridian and are numbered consecutively west to east from the 180-degree meridian. Transverse Mercator projections may then be applied to each zone.

WCB – Workers’ Compensation Board. The provincial government regulatory agencies which protect the rights of all employees in the province in terms of health and safety issues. Persons considered to be employees are eligible for workers’ compensation under the appropriate conditions, if an injury occurs, whereas sub-contractors usually are not eligible.

WOG – Work Order Guidelines. Suggested steps for performing certain types of tasks.

WOI – Work Order Instructions. Manadatory/required steps for performing certain types of tasks.

WTP – Wildlife Tree Patch. This is often seen on block maps where a patch of the block is shaded in, and it refers to a stand that has been purposely avoided during harvest to allow for a varied ecosystem for animals, birds, and insects.

Conclusions

If you have any suggestions or additions to the above information, please send an email to jonathan.scooter.clark@gmail.com or post feedback in the appropriate thread of the training forum on the Replant Message Boards at www.replant.ca/board

Also, please feel free to print this page and pass the information along to other potential planters, and let them know the link to www.replant.ca

An excellent additional reference for forestry and silviculture related acronyms and initialisms, in case you can’t find a specific definition above, is at the Ministry of Forestry website’s summary page, found at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/acronyms/

- Jonathan Clark (Scooter), author.