Blue Heron Environmental began in a Timmins basement office in 2004 with the aim to provide resourcebased companies with practical environmental consultation.
The brainchild of environmental scientist Linda Byron-Fortin, who previously worked in the mining sector for nearly two decades, Blue Heron has expanded to include 15 employees and today offers a dynamic list of services including field monitoring assistance, spill product supplies, mapping assistance, signage design as well as training and auditing services.
Blue Heron works with clients predominantly in the mining industry across Northern Ontario; however, it’s looking to expand into the pulp and paper industry.
The company has opened satellite offices in Ottawa and Calgary and most recently in Thunder Bay with the intent to expand its reach and explore new markets.
Collaborative environment
Employees begin the work week with a Monday morning meeting in the Timmins office, while off-site employees join in via Skype or WebEx, to not only update projects but to provide opportunity for collaborative discussions on business matters in an open and respectful environment.
“This is my management style but I’m also trying to retain employees,” said Byron-Fortin. “I want the staff to feel included in decisions that are made and I want them to help me grow the company so I want them to feel some sense of ownership.”
For more in-depth consideration, monthly meetings are held to review the status of various projects, upcoming bids, safety considerations, training opportunities and growth strategies.
Youth internship and cooperative placements
Hiring and providing opportunities for Northern Ontario young professionals is a priority for the company that has also launched the careers of some talented interns.
With the assistance of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, Blue Heron has established a successful youth internship program as well as provided co-operative placements that have led to fulltime careers with the company or client sites.
Expansion and diversification
Blue Heron is housed in a warehouse-type space, but renovations are underway to transform the building into an office space.
“Over the last few years we’ve revamped the inside and I’ve got a new training centre and a gym,” said Byron-Fortin.
Despite the downturn in the mining industry, Byron-Fortin has managed to retain her staff. And she’s optimistic. In the next few years if the outlook improves, Byron-Fortin intends to increase her staff to 20.
Education and professional development
Every year Byron-Fortin personally sits down with each of her employees to develop a list of personal and professional goals.
“With their personal goals, we identify training opportunities, things they want to learn how to do or get certified in so they can better themselves and at the same time bring more services to Blue Heron,” she said.
Opportunities include certification courses, post-secondary programs as well as attending professional workshops, conferences and expos.
The company covers the cost of these activities as well as provides employees with travelling opportunities.
While the majority of work is done in Northern Ontario, staff members have travelled as far as Alberta, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, U.S., Mexico and even Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.
Most staff members have worked in the mining industry and so building on their expertise, Blue Heron is able to offer its clients unique training opportunities.
Work-life balance
Blue Heron permits its staff to manage their own hours and work schedule in collaboration with their team members. In the past, when some staff members moved to other communities for personal reasons, Blue Heron has retained these employees and established satellite offices there.
Blue Heron has such offices in Ottawa and Calgary.
“For the Calgary office, I wanted to grow the business in the oil sands area, so this employee is growing the business there,” said Byron-Fortin.
Employees in Ottawa provide technical support, so they are able to telecommute. At the end of September, Blue Heron opened an office in Thunder Bay. That employee is working out of her home. The goal is to provide initial support for the Timmins office and then to expand the business in that part of the North.
RRSP contributions
Blue Heron employees can invest in RRSPs, through the company’s matching program. Investments are managed through payroll deduction and employees can seek out one-on-one financial advice through banking institutions and investment advisors, all on company time.
