Mercer Forestry Services is combining LiDAR, GPS technology and field reconnaissance to help crews translate forest harvest plans into operating decisions on the ground.
The company says it uses LiDAR data on virtually every harvesting project to provide a more detailed view of topography and potential operating constraints before equipment enters a site. GPS technology then helps crews determine their position relative to mapped boundaries, streams and other identified features.
The digital information is intended to complement rather than replace field reconnaissance. Mapping layers may not identify every wet area, terrain feature or operational hazard, making site inspections an important part of harvest preparation.
This combination becomes particularly important on steep or complex terrain, where crews must understand both the approved harvest prescription and the conditions encountered once operations begin.
“We do robust ground reconnaissance,” said Marty Hiemstra, general manager of Mercer Forestry Services and a registered professional forester. “There are things that aren’t necessarily recognized on the mapping layers, and that’s where boots on the ground still matter.”
From planning to harvesting
Harvest prescriptions are developed through established planning, licensing and regulatory processes and can incorporate environmental, cultural and operational considerations, along with consultation and engagement with First Nations where applicable.
Mercer Forestry Services is responsible for translating those requirements into field operations, including road construction, harvesting, timber processing and transportation.
The company says harvesting requirements have evolved to include higher tree-retention expectations, more detailed habitat considerations and increased First Nations participation in forest planning and activities. Its equipment fleet includes different machine types and sizes designed to accommodate a range of harvest prescriptions and retention requirements.
The use of LiDAR extends beyond Mercer Forestry Services. Mercer’s 2025 Sustainability Report, released in May 2026, identifies LiDAR as part of its precision forestry program at Mercer Peace River in Alberta. The company says airborne laser data provide information on forest stands, topography and water movement and have been incorporated into planning there since 2010.
Supporting Mercer’s wood supply chain
Based in Lumby, British Columbia, Mercer Forestry Services provides wood harvesting, hauling and road-building services. Mercer says the operation harvests approximately 300,000 cubic metres of wood annually and transports more than 200,000 tonnes of wood chips each year to Mercer Celgar, its pulp mill in Castlegar, British Columbia.
The approach illustrates how digital mapping and positioning technologies can support day-to-day harvesting while field knowledge remains central to site-specific decisions.
