5. John Betts, WFCA - Planting the seed for change

Free to Grow in Forestry - A podcast working to move #ForestryForward Welcome to the fifth episode of the Free to Grow in Forestry Podcast series where our host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence is joined by John Betts, Executive Director of the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association. John discusses the work environment and culture of the tree planting industry in Canada, going deep into issues with real examples from his own experiences. John has been the Executive Director of the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association (WFCA) (wfca.ca) since 1998. He first planted in trees as a Junior Forest Ranger in Ontario in 1968. After working as a logger on the West Coast in the 70s, he returned to planting trees and began his own silviculture firm which he operated throughout the 1980s. Before his role with the WFCA, he consulted in public affairs, was a free-lance journalist and reported for the Nelson Daily News. In 2020, John was made an honorary member of the Association of BC Forest Professionals. Together, we can move #ForestryForward. Learn more at www.freetogrowinforestry.ca Trigger warning: Content in this episode discusses topics such as workplace violence, assault, abuse, and harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org. ----  This podcast series is brought to you by the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Centre for Social Intelligence.  The Canadian Institute of Forestry (www.cif-ifc.org) is the national voice of forest practitioners with an interdisciplinary membership across Canada working to ensure our forests are vibrant, healthy and sustainable. The Centre for Social Intelligence (www.centreforsocialintelligence.ca) empowers individuals and organizations to create inclusion and diversity in the workplace.