JP Gladu: Using Passion and Determination to Soar to New Heights

JP Gladu: Using Passion and Determination to Soar to New Heights
By Alexandra Link
(Published in say (spirit of aboriginal youth) magazine, September 2004)

Have you ever met someone whose passion for their career sparked your imagination and made you believe that you could soar to new heights? That’s how I felt when interviewing JP Gladu, President of the Aboriginal Strategy Group, about his chosen profession.

“Aboriginal foresters are key to brigding the differences in approaches to land use and management between Aboriginal communities and the Western approach,” proclaims the Ojibway entrepreneur, with obvious determination.

JP grew up in the forest under the careful watch of his father and elders and has nearly fifteen years of experience in the natural resource sector. As a member of Sand Point First Nation, he observed firsthand how Aboriginal communities face many challenges in the forest sector, and realized that Aboriginal foresters such as himself are fundamental to solving these obstacles.

The accomplished leader says that the Forest Technician diploma he earned from Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, helped him to gain “on–the-ground” experience in the field. Later, he went on to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Forestry) degree from Northern Arizona University. According to JP, this education broadened his outlook about land management activities and helped him to move forward in his line of work.

As he recounts the story of his career path, it becomes apparent that JP has played a variety of different roles in the forest sector. Some of these positions include working as an Aboriginal Silviculture Technician for the Canadian Forest Service, a Policy Forester for the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, and an Aboriginal Forest Research Coordinator with the Sustainable Forest Management Network.

Currently as President of the Aboriginal Strategy Group in Ottawa, JP juggles a diverse range of activities, from report-writing, to networking, to travelling across Canada for meetings and conferences. The goal of his organization is to assist forestry companies, government, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders in finding ways to work together to manage forests. This experienced manager enthuses that the best aspects of his work are, “…meeting new people, gaining insight into their value systems, and figuring out ways to bring them together for the common good.”

JP’s passion is evident as he explains his progressive ideas about people’s role in land use and natural resources. “We need to have more emphasis on coming together, finding common ground, and understanding values.”

He further affirms that it is important to diversify and make more of what we have available to us.
In order to achieve this, JP explains, humans need to focus on adding value to products as well as seeing “more than just trees” when looking at the forest. For example, he thinks we should move beyond the pulp and paper industries and progress toward selling more varied goods such as medicines, mushrooms and furniture. Notably, JP observes that ‘specialty’ merchandise such as First Nation products can be sold for a high price due to the fact that a First Nation makes them, especially in international markets.

For young people aspiring to work in the realm of land use and natural resources, this Aboriginal trailblazer offers the following words of wisdom: “Find someone that you trust to talk to you on a regular basis as a mentor. There is nothing like firsthand education from someone who is experienced.”

JP’s enthusiasm and innovative ideas demonstrate the essential importance of Aboriginal standpoints in land use and management.

Forest Careers Spotlight

Forest Careers Spotlight on...
Dr. Mohini Sain, Associate Professor of Wood Composites
Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto
(Published in Re:view, September 2004)

by Alexandra Link

“It is important to understand that we have to care for the environment we live in. In order for that to happen, we have to be aware and conscious of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment… we need to make use of what we have and use it more and more so that environmental impact is minimum.”

Dr. Sain speaks from years of research and experience in forestry and engineering. His professional trajectory began in his home country of India, where he completed a Masters degree in Chemical Technology (P. Eng.) and worked in polymer processing. He then went to Czechoslovakia and finished his Ph.D. on a UNESCO international scholarship.

Continuing along his globetrotting path, Dr. Sain then worked in the European polymer industry, taught at the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean, and briefly held an appointment in the United States.

Eventually he found his way to Canada as an international fellow, a rare post at that time, and started working on renewable forest products research at the University of Quebec.

Presently, Dr. Sain is an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Forestry, the Director of the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, and holds a co-appointment to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, all at the University of Toronto. He also holds adjunct appointments with the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto and with the Pulp and Paper Centre at the University of New Brunswick.

As if these accomplishments weren’t enough, Dr. Sain has conducted innovative and practical research with multiple-benefits for society. He states, “the best aspects of my work are reducing forest utilization, conserving the environment and adding economic value to the forest biomass.”

The key focus of Dr. Sain’s in-depth studies is to foster innovative product creation by developing green technology from renewable resources such as forests. By putting these green technologies into practice, the negative environmental impacts that arise from making and using synthetic materials are lessened. Synthetic materials, like plastics, are made by processing crude oil, which is energy-intensive and uses up non-renewable fossil fuels.

Basically, Dr. Sain’s research looks into the use of forest biomass resources, such as leaves, bark, residues from sawmills and the lumber industry, and sludge from pulp and paper processing to make natural bioplastics. Bioplastics are biodegradable and carbon-neutral, which means that they store carbon and thereby do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Dr. Sain sees the need to, “reduce the consumption of trees by developing products with a good economic potential.” The way he understands it, the pulp and paper and lumber industries are eminent exporters for Canada in an increasingly competitive market. One way for Canada to keep pace is to think outside of conventional lines.

“The forest industry’s future as a whole will depend on the innovation of new products and their fast implementation on a commercial scale. The industry should look at research potential and collaboration with other institutions in order to accelerate the research process and become a leader in society.”

The forest industry’s success will depend on visionary thinking, according to the wise professor. As such, there is a need to “diversify the forest product line to the area of biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, high performance fibres, and the novel design of performance construction products by combining forest resources and other biomaterials.”

While coming up with new technologies, Dr. Sain says, we must be aware of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment. He proposes, “…you have to think, ‘can these (products) be made from natural materials which can be used again and again without damaging the environment?’ ”

For young people thinking about pursuing a career in the forest sector, Dr. Sain suggests coming up with innovations that will have environmental benefit and recycle resources. He concludes by saying, “I encourage young people to reduce energy in daily life. There are many ways to do this.”

The Blooming Popularity of Agricultural Alternatives

The Blooming Popularity of Agricultural Alternatives
By Alexandra Link
(Published in The Observer, July 2003)

Have you found yourself growing increasingly concerned with conflicting media coverage regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (G.M.O.s), mad cow disease and pesticides? If so, you may be joining an increasing number of consumers who are questioning how their food is grown and the effects of modern day farming practices on their health and environment. As a result, there is a blossoming interest in alternatives to traditional agricultural production methods. Consumers are becoming less interested in farming that relies on chemical and genetic interference and instead are purchasing more local, organic products.

There are many benefits to choosing organics. These include the protection of natural resources and a reduction in the contamination of air, water, soil and food. Using organics also decreases agricultural pollution by naturally replenishing and maintaining soil fertility, eliminating the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and increasing biological diversity.
When they choose to purchase organic products, consumers not only support more sound environmental production methods, but also actively make the decision to eat more healthily. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides as potentially cancer-causing. This statistic emphasizes the health benefits of consuming organics.

Here in New Brunswick, many local producers are now trying alternatives to conventional farming. One of such producers is Falls Brook Centre (FBC), located in Knowlesville. The Centre has been growing organic produce for the last 12 years and is beginning to make their products available to consumers in the local area through its Earth Marketplace label. From offering old standards such as Provider Beans and Scotia tomatoes, to providing more adventurous varieties such as tomatillos and edible Borage flowers, Earth Marketplace satisfies all tastes.

FBC has also begun a new pilot project called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in order to make their organic products more accessible to the public. CSA is basically an agreement between members and FBC’s farm to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. Members directly support the farm by purchasing a weekly or seasonal share of farm produce, and the farm supports members by providing a weekly supply of fresh organic fruits and vegetables to members. A direct relationship means that members can easily meet their farmer and give their feedback. For the farmer, it means support from their local community to farm in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Beyond the CSA, there are two more options for consumers to purchase Earth Marketplace organic produce. These include the “Earth Marketplace” stall at the Woodstock Farm Market on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., and on-site at Falls Brook Centre on Thursday afternoons. For more information regarding the CSA, Earth Marketplace organics, or Falls Brook Centre, please call: (506) 375-4310 or email: information@fallsbrookcentre.ca.