Staff Spotlight: Kevin Wasylenko

April 4, 2024

Green Initiatives Coordinator brings a community-focused approach to environmental programs

_{Kevin Wasylenko is the Green Initiatives Coordinator for the MMF's Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management Department.}

Growing up in the Southeast Region, Kevin Wasylenko developed a passion for the outdoors during his childhood, immersing himself in the beauty of the wilderness. With a curiosity for the world around him, the Red River Métis Citizen's love of nature led him to a career in horticulture.

"I've worked in the green industry for about 10 years now, so I have gained a lot of experience, whether that's irrigation, pesticide, plants, or landscaping. I've gotten to build a skillset that encompasses a lot of the various aspects of horticulture," he said.

Having obtained his Landscape Horticulture Red Seal Certification from Red River College Polytechnic in 2020, Wasylenko noticed a shift in the public consciousness regarding environmental concerns and the availability of potential employment opportunities.

"The federal Two Billion Tree program was unrolled in 2019, just before I had finished my schooling. This program opened a lot of doors," he said. "I had a niche that was in demand; many levels of government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector were looking for trained horticulturists and tree experts to assist in taking part in the program."

Working in the MMF has allowed me to see the grassroots of what it means to be Red River Métis. I get to meet Red River Métis Citizens that are incredible, kindhearted people with deep insight and powerful stories. I've gotten to see how things function on a community level, and it has inspired be to become more active in my Métis Local. I feel a greater connection to my ancestors, and it has filled my heart." - Kevin Wasylenko

The Red River Métis Citizen has spent nearly three years working in the Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management (EIRM) Department as the Green Initiatives Coordinator.

"The thing I love about my job is the people. I'm very fortunate to get to travel across Manitoba providing trees and shrubs to Red River Métis Citizens, while admiring the natural beauty of our province. It's very fulfilling to be actively making a difference across the Homeland; the trees planted through this program will create a long-term positive impact for everyone," said Wasylenko.

In addition to the hands-on work that comes from tree planting, the coordinator facilitates horticulture-based workshops for Citizens to participate in across the MMF's seven regions.

"Getting to instruct and gaining more experience instructing has been challenging and fulfilling," he said. "Growing up I was in the cadet program; cadets gave me the opportunity to instruct at a young age and learn valuable skills. I have been teaching classes since I was 15 years old, and over the years I have gotten to refine my instructing style, keeping things fun while making sure everyone participating goes home with a new perspective."

Wasylenko spends the off-season preparing the administrative side of his work, describing it as a "build-up to his on-the-go season."

"My favourite part of working in the Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management Department is the uniqueness of what we do. We get to take part in field activities that feel like an adventure; we get to make a real difference in our communities, while actively safeguarding our environment for future generations," he said.

_{Being employed by the MMF has encouraged the Red River Métis Citizen to build meaningful connections within his community.}

Being employed by the Red River Métis National Government has encouraged the Citizen to build meaningful connections within his community.

"Working in the MMF has allowed me to see the grassroots of what it means to be Red River Métis. I get to meet Red River Métis Citizens that are incredible, kindhearted people with deep insight and powerful stories. I've gotten to see how things function on a community level, and it has inspired be to become more active in my Métis Local. I feel a greater connection to my ancestors, and it has filled my heart," said Wasylenko.

Since Wasylenko started his position as Green Initiatives Coordinator, the MMF has implemented the Make Our Homeland Green Again initiative, which commits to the planting of two million trees across the Homeland.

"We provide trees and shrubs for Red River Métis Citizens across the Homeland; the trees provided through the program help our Citizens in a variety of ways, from shelterbelts to more fruit production on their properties," he said. "We can use trees as an environmentally friendly solution to many modern problems; for example, rather than building a fence to act as a windbreak, we can plant trees and shrubs that will solve the problem, while supporting our environment and providing habitats for birds, small mammals, and insects."

During the 2022 planting season, 5,381 trees and shrubs were provided through the program. In 2023, 18,000 trees and shrubs will have been provided by the end of the planting season, representing a 230 per cent increase. As the program continues to expand, Wasylenko notes the impacts this initiative will have on future generations.

"As a horticulturist, you must look to the future for inspiration. We might be planting small trees today, but you need to see the big picture in what we are accomplishing," he said. "There's a quote that I love: 'a society grows great when the people plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.' This resonates with me because it shows that one individual can make a change that that echoes far into the future."

_{Wasylenko (left) facilitates horticulture-based workshops for Citizens to participate in across the MMF's seven regions.}

In addition to tree planting, Wasylenko has had the chance to take part in other projects being conducted within the EIRM department, including the collaboration between the MMF and Parks Canada, specifically the role EIRM had in Project Caribou.

"Getting to take part in Project Caribou has been one of the highlights of my career," he said. "We installed trail cameras in Gillam, Manitoba to track migratory patterns of endangered caribou species. It was the first time I had ever gotten to fly in a helicopter and see the untouched wilderness of northern Manitoba," he said.

The MMF, in partnership with Parks Canada, also offered training opportunities for 12 Red River Métis Citizens to become certified wildland firefighters. Wasylenko had a chance to participate in the training.

"The training was fantastic. Our instructors had spent their entire careers as wildland firefighters and shared their stories and experiences in a very intense and demanding job. They made the course fun and interesting," he said. "Now that I have the skills and training, I would like to take part in a volunteer fire department."

_{The Red River Métis Citizen was chosen to represent the MBNLA in the upcoming Red River College Polytechnic Proud campaign.}

Wasylenko currently sits on the board of the Manitoba Nursery and Landscape Association (MBNLA) as the Climate Change and Adaptation Committee Chair.

"I was recently elected in November of 2023 to the board, so I'm very fresh to it. This is my first time participating on a board of directors, and the position I'm in is really interesting because we get to work within the landscape and nursery industry to find best practices to properly manage carbon emissions," he said. "And with that, we can be on the cutting edge of green technology to find new solutions to old problems and to revolutionize the green industry in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner."

The MBNLA deals with policy and legislation around the nursery and landscape industry in Manitoba. With his new position on the board, Wasylenko can stay up to date on changes and innovations within the industry.

Celebrating his growth in his field, Wasylenko was selected to represent the MBNLA in the Red River College Polytechnic Proud campaign. The campaign showcases RRC Polytech graduates currently employed by leading Manitoba businesses who are excelling in their workplaces and beyond.

"I'm happy to promote and champion the landscape horticulturist trade. The work I get to do fulfils me, and I think more Youth should look into horticulture as a viable career path," he said. "So getting to be the person to represent it, I feel very honoured."

 

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