Forestry is a career built on awareness, skill and responsibility. It demands focus, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning as conditions change around you.
For Ben Woroniuk, it is also the greatest job in the world.
In our latest podcast episode, Ben talks about his work with Integrated Operations across British Columbia, moving between single stem heli logging, utility clearance and wildfire support depending on the season. Each role brings its own challenges, but the expectations never change. Stay switched on. Communicate clearly. Look after the people around you. As Ben explains, this is a job where decisions matter and conditions can shift quickly. Staying present is not optional. That challenge is exactly what keeps him coming back.
We're such a small crew doing something that the rest of the world is watching. We're operating on this higher level in these extreme environments and having a lot of fun doing it.
It is this combination of technical skill, trust and genuine enjoyment of the work that defines Ben's approach and why his story resonates far beyond the forest.
Finding a way into forestry
Ben did not enter forestry with a long-term plan. He started out doing ground work, feeding a chipper and running a saw. Tree climbing was something he discovered through being on site rather than something he had always aimed for. At first, it was intimidating. He admits he was terrified of it but also hooked by it.
The trees just get taller. The adventures get bigger and I just kept going.
Progression came through repetition and learning from others. Watching how more experienced people worked. Asking questions. Gradually taking on more responsibility.
There's always someone better. I want to upgrade myself by learning from guys like that.
Ben also speaks about the importance of formal training. He highlights the Certified Utility Arborist programme in BC as a strong foundation, describing it as a full apprenticeship that teaches not only technical skills but how to supervise and manage risk. He also talks openly about how difficult it can be to obtain a falling ticket and why that difficulty makes it such a respected qualification.
For anyone considering a career in forestry, Ben's experience shows there is no single route in. Curiosity, commitment and a willingness to learn matter more than having everything planned from the outset.
Working across disciplines
Ben does not work in one lane. One week he may be climbing. The next he is felling. Other days he is supervising crews on transmission lines or supporting wildfire operations. That variety is intentional and central to how Integrated Operations works.
You kind of have to be super switched on to realise what's going on all around.
In a single stem heli logging block, multiple disciplines operate at once. Climbers topping trees. Helicopters lifting stems. Ground crews moving through steep terrain below.
There's no environment like it. You're listening to the helicopter, guys are calling their tops as sections are cut free and you're actively cutting huge trees.
Ben talks about how working in the forest sharpens awareness. Sound matters. Movement matters. Rotor wash from a helicopter can shift an entire stand. Over time, knowing where to be and where not to be becomes instinctive.
Safety as everyday practice
When Ben talks about safety, he does not focus on dramatic moments. He talks about habits.
Complacency is what's going to kill you. It just takes one wrong cut, one wrong move.
Conditions in the forest change constantly. Trees change. Ground changes. Weather changes. Staying present is part of doing the job properly.
Before climbing any tree, Ben explains that climbers bore the stem to check the integrity of the wood.
You walk up to a tree and it looks fine. Then you bore it and it just falls right in. That's a lot of tree above you for you to be climbing up there on the flagpole.
Ben also shares that during his time with Integrated Operations, he has not seen a serious injury. No medevacs. No carrying someone out of the woods. Minor cuts and knocks happen, but strong systems, clear communication and disciplined decision making keep work within safe limits.
The physical side and the crew around you
Forestry is physically demanding work, especially over longer shifts in steep terrain.
You can get pretty delusional out there if you don't bring enough water and it's hot and you're climbing trees.
He describes his first experience of single stem work as a "full system shock" and admits he did not fully grasp how demanding it would be. Over time, he explains, the body adapts.
You adjust and adapt. If you're doing shift after shift, you just get stronger.
Ben also jokes that he often feels more injury prone when he is off shift. Coming home, sitting down and relaxing can feel harder than being out working.
Working remotely with the same small crew for weeks builds strong relationships.
It's a pretty tight knit brotherhood. We hang out after work, on days off. You really get to know people.
That trust matters, particularly in complex environments. Ben explains that supervisors need to stay aware of how people are doing mentally as well as physically.
If a guy's having a horrible time at home, he's not someone you want dealing with helicopters and being 200 feet up a tree.
Real scenarios from the field
Ben explains single stem heli logging in clear, practical terms.
Engineers identify and mark suitable trees. Climbers move through the block topping stems and recording data. Trees are ribboned by weight so the correct helicopter can be assigned.
Ground crews then jig the trees at the base so they remain standing, ready to be lifted.
You're essentially falling a tree without it falling over. All that's holding it up is two little posts the size of your fist.
Helicopters then work through the block with constant communication between air and ground crews.
If you're in the wrong spot at the wrong time, you can be underneath a claw pretty quick.
When everything is planned well and everyone is dialled in, Ben describes it as impressive to watch.
A moment that stands out
When asked about the biggest tree he has climbed, Ben answers simply.
One two years ago was well above 200 feet. It took me all day to get to the top.
It was a single tree leaning over a power line, with a long rope hanging from his harness. Ben does not frame it as a scare story, but as a moment that demanded patience, preparation and complete focus.
Clothing, kit and one less thing to think about
When Ben talks about clothing and PPE, it is practical and experience led.
On the West Coast, weather can change quickly. Ben explains that a rain jacket is essential and that as part of his audits he checks everyone has one, no matter the forecast. Storms can roll in. Helicopters can be grounded. Being prepared matters.
He also explains why breathability is important, describing climbing as "jogging basically".
Long before becoming an Arbortec Ambassador, Ben explains that most of the crews he worked with were already wearing Arbortec.
They were just the standard for what we wear. They hold up in the woods better than anything else we've used.
For Ben, trusted kit simply removes distraction. It is one less thing to think about when attention is needed elsewhere.
Top five lessons for those entering the industry
Ben's advice is consistent and grounded in experience.
Ditch the ego
Arriving claiming to be the best is a red flag. Being open to learning matters more.
Stay teachable
"There's always someone better." Learn from them.
Inspect your gear
Ben calls this the most underrated safety habit.
Stay aware of your surroundings
The forest changes constantly. No two days are the same.
Manage fatigue early
Hydration, rest and knowing when to stop matter long term.
As Ben puts it, complacency is the biggest risk.
Why this work matters
Ben describes forestry as the greatest job in the world not because it is easy, but because it keeps him engaged, learning and working alongside people he trusts.
You're working in places no one's really been before, with a switched-on crew, having a lot of fun doing it.
For those considering a career in forestry, Ben's story shows what is possible when you commit to learning the craft, respect the environment and hold yourself and others to a high standard.