Aug. 16th, 2009

Hello WILDWOODS,
Thanks so much for all of your heart and souls. There is no way to do such a good job without that degree of commitment. I appreciate it and feel very proud to say I work at Wildwoods. You’re a great crew; you were very respectful to Jody, myself and the farm and High Level, you kept yourselves relatively injury free,  You planted an above average amount and quality of trees, you party hard, and you got along with each other.

Congratulations and thank you!  Wildwoods has never sat so high!  We have the best future possible. 

To the Staff: It has been a big year for us all; so many new personalities and people trying their hardest.  The expectations were very high this season and they’re not going down.  We are the force behind the scene that co-ordinates, breaks and fixes all the equipment and system responsible for the planting of 140,000 to 214,000 trees every production day.  We are awesome, probably the best.  The supervisors worked their asses off this year.  They made it happen every single day.  I respect them both and thank them for having the patients and skill to please a very tough crowd.  Great job guys. 

Marsh drivers were as dedicated to their job as you could be.  The number of late nights and frustrating repairs was incredible.  There are very few personalities that can hack that job.  None the less you soldiered on.  The amount of marshmaster knowledge learnt from all the extra effort is what made the difference for second half of the season.  The marshmasters are one of the keys to our success.  They are the angle that got us all the tree and aloud us to prove ourselves and now maintain that status.  The marshmasters saved a significant amount of helicopter time this season; which is where all the raises come from and money to move people by chopper.  Our maintenance bills were 70% of 2008, way less down time and zero helicopter hours flown that were marsh.  Our new maintenance guy Bruce is amazing and can fix anything.  The marsh drivers learnt a lot and worked very hard to learn the machines.  We are gaining on the overall success of the marshmasters.  The second have of the season we finally were able  to adjust the amount of marshing planters to only super close areas and fly the rest.  This was a focus of mine this season and it was very successful.  The marsh break downs affect the crew less and the crew is to work faster and happier.  I feel this switch aloud planters to plant more.

I am not saying the marshmasters were perfect; far from but we made real progress.  And a huge thanks to Hillar and Courtney for their super long days and huge effort.

Crew bosses and planters.  Just one comment from my point of view.  To do something so hard and do it well is impressive.  To do something so hard, do it well and make it look easy is professional. Congratulations for all the planting records you have crushed his season.

Please send photos.  If you have one send it by e-mail if you have a bunch send on a CD or thumb drive.  I will put them up on the website and I am looking for some cool shots for the next light box in the party barn.

You have been given the remote work site allowance on your wages while away from your home.  This means that your total income has been lowered to your taxable income. It is important to realize that you must report your taxable income as your wage and not your planting summary.  T2200’s will be mailed out with your t4’s in January.

We have great plans for 2010.  We are putting a sand volley ball court beside the party barn.  We are also going to finish the party barn lounge area complete with 100’s of books, games, coffee maker, magazines etc.  The party barn will also be a hot spot for internet use.

My one wish and focus for 2010 will be to remove the careless misuse of tools and equipment.  As a group, I want the extra effort involved with putting tools away properly or treating equipment with more respect.  The wasted money and time causes the season to run less than it could be for everyone.  It is not only the money and poor workmanship that upsets me.  It is the low logic involved with such poor workmanship that leads to the gong show.  The equipment will always break when you need it most if it’s not taken care of.  This leads to chaos in camp and the logic continues to be low and poor decisions start effecting the whole camp.  Yes, it is more effort to do it right.  Yes, it is harder to be logical all the time but after a while the gong show disappears.  It is worth it when things around you become logical and stop breaking for no good reason etc. etc.  I would like to go to one of the truck boxes during the season and actually find a jerry can full of fuel when I need it.  It is maturity and respect for things around you and we need lots of improvement.

I will update the website in early October. Please send me your pics to: PO Box 1423 Whistler, BC V0N 1B0.

You are an amazing group of people, you accomplished a huge feat this summer.  Enjoy your free time cash and memories. Have the best winter ever!

We’ll be in touch.
Take care.

- Jeff and Jody