Contract manager Gilda Davis discusses SER's first year of operations in this year's annual report:
St’át’imc Eco-Resources (SER) was formed to maximize the benefits from the BC Hydro Agreement, to support capacity development, employment and create wealth while respecting St’át’imc values and “our way”.
SER is a strengths-based organization that is guided by sustainable, net gain strengths. It is uniquely positioned to maximize economic opportunities due to its knowledge of sustainable land and resource use and its relationship with strategic partners who recognize St’át’imc’s territorial authority.
In April of this year the Water Use Plan (WUP) project management workshop took place. This allowed each project manager from the Bridge River Monitor Projects (BRGMON) to present to SER their project schedules, scope of work and preliminary results. The outcome of that workshop guided SER to provide better administrative support for the project managers in each team. This workshop allowed St’át’imc members to make suggestions and ask questions about the projects and its outcomes.
SER is proud to say that BRGMON 13: Effectiveness of Seton Powerhouse shutdowns for reducing entrainment mortality of sockeye salmon smolts, was managed and run entirely by a St’át’imc First Nations fisheries team. BRGMON 13 is the only project that has hired field supervisors, project managers, and senior technicians.
SER built a solid partnership with Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consulting Ltd to have David Kemp B.SC to come and work with us to mentor and develop valuable training skills with St’át’imc environmental technicians. With David’s mentorship, St’át’imc environmental technicians have taken what they have learned and applied it while working at a site independently.
The SER contracting team believes that it is in a position where it is comfortable with managing 16 BRGMON projects. Bonnie Adolph, project coordinator has been mentored by PGL Matthew Hammond B.SC and Gilda Davis, contract manager has been menotored by Embark, Yasemin Parkinson, B.SC, B.Tech, P.Ag. The team has overcome many challenges and obstacles that come with the growing pains of a new company.