A joint venture of NK'Mip Forestry and Infinity-Pacific Stewardship Group
Payton Mooibroek’s path into forestry began with tree planting. After four seasons in the field, Payton continued their forestry career in Smithers in 2023, joining a consultant as both a field technician and GIS technician. In 2025, Payton moved to the Okanagan and joined Siya Forestry.
“Tree planting was really what led me into forestry. From there, I wanted to stay in the sector and learn more about the many sides of forestry beyond planting.”
Today, Payton is a Silviculture Technician with Siya Forestry. Much of the role involves surveying harvested areas and checking how planted trees are growing. The position changes with the seasons, with winter bringing some burning and a return to layout.
“One of the things I like about silviculture is being able to go back into a block and see how the trees are doing. You get to follow what happens after planting and understand how things are progressing over time.”
One experience that has been especially meaningful for Payton is the huckleberry planting initiative with the Osoyoos Indian Band. The effort involved planting huckleberries with community members and returning to monitor how the plants are establishing.
“The huckleberry planting is probably what I’ve felt most proud to be part of. The goal wasn’t commercial. It was about re-establishing traditional foods and values, and that made it especially meaningful. Being able to plant with the community and then return to see how the plants are growing has been really rewarding.”
Payton is also looking forward to seeing how the huckleberries develop over the next few years.
“I’m excited for the point when the huckleberries hopefully start producing fruit and community members can come back to the area to pick and harvest together. Seeing the planting reach that stage would mean a lot.”
Payton’s forestry career has also taken them to several parts of British Columbia, providing experience across a range of forest types and ecological zones. Moving from northern B.C. to the Okanagan has meant learning how forests respond to changes in landscape and local conditions.
“That is one of the things I enjoy most about forestry. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in several areas across the province, and each place is unique. You are always learning more about the forest you are in, how the ecosystems function and how they interact with one another. And getting to bring my dog with me is definitely one of my favourite parts too.”
For Payton, forestry offers a mix of field time, continued learning and the chance to see how the forests and plantings change over time.
