Graeme Li
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About Me
Originally from Ottawa, I grew up a cross country ski racer. Turns out waking up early to face adverse conditions while pushing yourself to the maximum are directly transferable skills to tree planting, so thanks Mom. I am currently finishing my last year in school at the University of Guelph. Throughout my years, I have tried to keep it interesting by traveling to the Yukon, driving across Canada six times, and backpacking across the world. Life is pretty cool and I’m happy it has brought me to tree planting. |
Industry Experience
Throughout my two years of planting, it’s been an unexpected adventure across four provinces. We got to plant in motel shows, bush camps and even out of a BnB. I’ve hit those rocks, that frozen ground that just does not seem to want a tree to go in and of course that sweet sweet cream. In my first season, I was able to be the second best rookie in the company and proceeded to plant more than my wildest dreams in my second season. In my second season, I also served as an assistant crewboss for Steve Dahl, where I got some hands on crewbossing time. Needless to say, I loved it. I love watching people push themselves to achieve goals they did not believe they could do before tree planting. As a crewboss, I get to facilitate that goal that you set for yourself and help you as best as I can to achieve it.
What planters can expect of me
I want a crew that is looking to push themselves but also have a great time on/off the block. Planting has given me the best memories of my life and I just want to keep making them!
Additionally, you can expect…
What I expect of planters…
“Sphagnum moss makes surprisingly good toilet paper” - Ancient planter proverb
Throughout my two years of planting, it’s been an unexpected adventure across four provinces. We got to plant in motel shows, bush camps and even out of a BnB. I’ve hit those rocks, that frozen ground that just does not seem to want a tree to go in and of course that sweet sweet cream. In my first season, I was able to be the second best rookie in the company and proceeded to plant more than my wildest dreams in my second season. In my second season, I also served as an assistant crewboss for Steve Dahl, where I got some hands on crewbossing time. Needless to say, I loved it. I love watching people push themselves to achieve goals they did not believe they could do before tree planting. As a crewboss, I get to facilitate that goal that you set for yourself and help you as best as I can to achieve it.
What planters can expect of me
I want a crew that is looking to push themselves but also have a great time on/off the block. Planting has given me the best memories of my life and I just want to keep making them!
Additionally, you can expect…
- Safety - They are only trees. They are not worth compromising the safety of anyone in the crew and I will not let that happen.
- Culture of improvement - Planting is a skill. It takes time to learn it, and it can always get better. If you are willing to always try to improve, I promise you your skills and ability to plant more will continue to get better. I will help you every step of the way become better and better as a planter.
- Belief in YOU! - While planting is physical, it is those who have the mental strength to keep going that will succeed to the highest levels. I believe in every person there is that ability to keep going and will help bring it out in you.
- Jokes - If you do not think I am funny by the end of the season, I have failed as a crewboss.
- Respect - I like to think I’m a nice person and hope you are too.
What I expect of planters…
- Safety - Don’t do unsafe stuff. No one is looking to get hurt out here.
- Communication - If you think I could do something better, I want to hear it. If I think you could do something better, you want to hear it. Communication will make us both better!
- Respect - Be a good person. Don’t be late. Help others when it is needed. No J-roots or I cry.
“Sphagnum moss makes surprisingly good toilet paper” - Ancient planter proverb
