This summer, Popyk will intern as a silviculturist with West Fraser in 100 Mile House after being chosen as one of 15 members of the Forest Products Association of Canada’s annual Green Dream Internship Program.
Popyk, who graduated from Peter Skene Ogden Secondary, wishes she had known about the program before she started working for West Fraser.
During the first two months of her internship, she spent the summer assessing the work of tree planters from Lac des Roches to Clearwater.
Popyk explained that this is because larch acts more like a broadleaf tree than a conifer, meaning it doesn’t burn as easily during a wildfire.
“Frogs are my favourite animal and I take lots of pictures of them as well as bears, cranes, moose and whatever else I see.
While she hasn’t begun posting her blogs and photos yet, Popyk has them ready to go on the FPAC’s website and social media.
Popyk went to university straight out of high school after earning her way into UNBC’s Scholars program.
Of course, I grew up in the Cariboo and loved camping and hiking but that was recreational.