Project Coordinators

Kim Keene – Project Coordinator
I started planting in 2007 with Blue Collar. The people and job flexibility is why I come back each year.
Planting has given me the opportunity to have my winters off, over the years I have spent them travelling, skiing, and going to school.
Currently, I spend my time in Campbell River working with BC Ambulance Service before heading back to the bush. 

Jake Courtney
I have been working with Blue Collar since 2013. I planted for 2 years, foreman for 3 years, supervised for 2 years, and this year will be my first year as a Project Coordinator.
In addition to planting I am also the Program Coordinator for the First Nations Training Program. I am passionate about what this program does to all involved and the opportunities it provides.
Working with Blue Collar has enabled me to do lots of travelling in many parts of the world. I love finding new music, eating at great restaurants, surfing when I have time and hanging out with my dog Lou.



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Tammy Laidlaw
Tammy began her career tree planting in 1998. She joined the Blue Collar team in 2014, bringing extensive silviculture management experience from her many years in the industry, in a variety of roles and responsibilities.
​Specialties include overseeing both technical and large scale projects, specifically managing aviation operations. Her attention to detail and respectful team-oriented leadership style sets the bar for high safety standards, efficiency, and quality productivity. When Tammy’s not working you’ll find her out exploring with her kids at the ski hill, the bmx track or at their family cabin in the woods. She also loves to bake but don’t be fooled by this cake, she will not take any shit! 

Administration

​Nicole Bell
 
My Name is Nicole Bell, I am a life long horse enthusiast with my passion being barrel racing as well as fitness and travel. I was born and raised in Quesnel and have been employed with Blue Collar Group since the spring of 2013. This job has been such a blessing to myself and my family. I have recently decided to move away from Quesnel but look forward to continuing my employment with Blue Collar in the future.
 

Pamela Murkin
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I worked with Blue Collar from 2002 - 2009 and now I'm happy to be back after a ten year hiatus. I live in Kelowna and spend much of the time running after my two little ones and volunteering to organize the local VegFest. I am passionate about veganism, the climate crisis and paying treeplanters accurately! 

Supervisors

​Emile Leclair
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Born and raised on the coast of Northern New-Brunswick, spending most of my time outside is what I do best. My passion for the outdoors brought me all a cross the country to settle down in Revelstoke where I spend the majority of my winter time ski touring in the surrounding mountains. Fall is usually when I disappear into the wilderness of beautiful B-C either chasing Salmon run’s, waterfowl migration’s or big game. I’m always up to chat about fishing and hunting. Thanks to the tree planting industry and Blue Collar Group I’ve been able to follow my passions while also growing and succeeding within this career that suits and supports the life style that I have chosen. Follow your passion, come and join us!

Spencer Burnie

I began my planting career in Northern Ontario 6 seasons ago. Besides tree planting I’ve been keen to take any job during the off season that has me isolated in the bush. Running chainsaws is my favourite forestry gig when I’m not on the block during the spring and summer. I have recently found a passion to travel after a three month escape to Central America and plan for many similar adventures in the future. On my downtime I love to golf, climb surf, travel and indulge in other activities with friends and family. After working for two other silviculture companies in the past I can say I’ve found my home here with the Blue Collar Group. I look forward to helping the company grow and prosper through my leadership and hard work ethic.

Graham Pitfield
I started tree planting in 2014 and immediately fell in love with the job. Although I typically say it is the earnings and competitive nature of piece rate work that appeal to me, it is the friends and sense of community that make the job so special and bring me back each spring.

This coming season will be my 7th season in the bush,  my first with Blue Collar, after spending 6 years planting (hi-balling), crew bossing and supervising the swamps of Northern Ontario. I am super excited to be moving to the west coast and joining Blue Collar, along with the core of my camp from the past few seasons. Leaving Ontario, I was looking for a more professional and worker focused planting company and Blue Collar offered an awesome fit, balancing safe and highly productive camps while retaining the amazing planting culture that makes this job so special.  

During the off-season, I am in Guelph, finishing (slowly!) a graduate degree in mechanical engineering and pole vaulting with the track and field team, the timing of which fits perfectly with the tree planting season.  ​

​Nick Curry
A fan of all things adventures!

​Working in the silviculture industry has allowed me to pursue surfing, hiking, snowboarding and traveling in the off season.  I like to work hard and have fun while doing it.  Creating a productive and happy working environment is always my focus .
Excited and proud to be back for another season with Blue Collar Silviculture.