Biofore-Magazine-2021

By Daniel Dawson Photography Carlos Pazos

36

THROUGH THE L ENS

37

Day in the life of a UPM forestry supervisor

At 47 years old, HomeroMartínez is conducting anorchestra. The UPM forestry supervisor coordinates all the compa ny’s activities in a zone that spans about 60 kilometres, from Durazno toPasode losToros, locatedadjacent toUPM’s second Uruguayan pulpmill under construction. Fromdiscussing road safety at rural schools to scouting new land for potential plantations and meeting with local neigh bours to discuss their needs, Martínez does it all. “It’s a jobwith plenty of diversity,” he says. “That’s part of the attraction.” As a result, a typical day for Martínez is hard to pin down. Forestry supervisors do far more than simplymonitor trees. Martínez works within a complex network of other super visors and coordinates withmyriad contractors of all sizes. “Inside of each process is an entire world, from planting trees to harvesting and shipping logistics to building roads in the plantations,” he says. Before taking a job at UPM almost 14 years ago, Martínez worked at Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Re search. However, the schedule was punishing, with four days each week spent at a remote research station investigating sheep and wool development. “I liked that job, butwe arrived at a pointwheremywife and I wanted something different for our family,”Martínez says. “My goal is to be home every night watchingmy kids grow up.” Martínez is usually home in time to shop or pick his children up from football or athletics practice. He immensely values the time he spends with his family and stresses that this is one of themain benefits of his job. Beyond this flexibility afforded to Martínez, he also values working at a company that shares his vision of social and envi ronmental responsibility. “Their commitment to the environment struck me. It was a company that I could grow at and learn,” he says. “It’s not only about economics and profit; everything matters to UPM. It’s about social and environmental commitments, too.” Martínez sincerely believes that UPM is the rising tide that can lift all boats. For this reason, he thinks the best way for the company to grow is to continue plantingwith local farmers and ranchers instead of buying land. The contracts are long – 20 years, or the lifespan of two har vests. However, nothing quitematches the feeling of seeing one of these come to fruition. “It gives you this indescribable feeling that something you did has come to pass,” he says. “I greatly value this job for these reasons.”

Martínez wakes up at 6 a.m. each morning and makes maté, a traditional South American tea. Mornings are quiet in the house and he uses this time to contemplate the day ahead.