2001
Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (Happy Valley - Goose Bay)

In 1990, Government undertook to reconstruct the Labrador Tree Nursery. With a limited budget, the team undertook the project in-house: they replaced existing facility and added four greenhouses, a storage facility, a pump house and a holding area, renovated the header house and maintained existing facilities, all while producing that year’s crop.

The Labrador Tree Nursery Team rigorously assessed all aspects of the work with an eye to better performance and cost savings. The team customized the construction design with innovations that significantly increased operational efficiency, productivity and safety. Introduction of a sliding bench system consisting of pallets in conjunction with a forklift in the greenhouses more than quadrupled the number of containers that could be moved in a day, decreasing heavy manual labour and minimizing the chances of soft tissue and other injuries.

Installation of an above-ground water-carrying system between the source and the greenhouse, with facilities to prevent fertilizers and insecticides from leaching into the water supply and to prevent water line freezes and damage, neatly protected both the facility and the surrounding environment. Additionally, the team’s simple and effective design and operation solutions created a very productive facility that can operate with only two permanent staff and provides the local community with 42 person-weeks of work per year.

The team’s skill and attention to detail have significantly enhanced the quality and after-planting success rate of the nursery stock - which is now averaging eight hundred thousand seedlings per year.

Exceptionally dedicated, the team demonstrates a strong sense of ownership of the project and pride in the facility and its product. "Moonlighting" as teachers and event planners, they have developed an education program with local schools and social programs with department staff. Together they have made outstanding contributions to both forestry and agriculture work in Labrador, including direct assistance to the farming community and the public they serve.