ESCANABA — Delta Force students learned from the professionals at Billerud and Michigan State University U.P. Forestry Innovation Center during Environmental Awareness Day on Thursday, Aug. 24. In the seventh session of this year’s Delta Force class, students discovered the fascinating history and growth of Billerud, and the innovative happenings at the Forestry Innovation Center.

The day started at Billerud’s Escanaba mill with a presentation by Health and Safety Director Pamla Versailles, who gave students a safety overview, and presented on the history of the Escanaba mill and its economic impact.

Billerud Technical Services engineer Mike Nelson taught the students about the paper-making process.

Environmental Manager Charles Detiege explained the important work the mill does to comply with environmental regulations. The group was then given a full mill tour by Detiege, Nelson, and Technical Services Engineers Taylor Kansier and Heidi Cook, with a focus on environmental responsibility.

Students then took a bus tour of the Billerud mill property, and walked the E4 Paper Machine System and Production, Scheduling, and Distribution (PS&D). PS&D Supervisor Joe Versailles explained the wrapping and shipping process to the group.

After they completed the mill tour, Delta Force students received an update on the transformation project and the mill’s sustainability journey from Billerud Vice President of Technical Services Mike Glodowski.

“Billerud is committed to protecting human health, the environment, and utilizing resources in a responsible and sustainable manner,” Pam Versailles explained, “so it is our pleasure to be able to share this commitment with the Delta Force students.”

Versailles, who is a Delta Force graduate herself, said her experience with Delta Force taught her a great deal about the community. “Billerud puts one or two people in each Delta Force class,” she noted. “We feel it’s an opportunity to give back to the community, and is a great way for our employees to learn how they can make a positive impact in their community. Once our employees graduate from Delta Force, we hope they continue to actively participate in their communities, which benefits everyone.”

Delta Force student Patricia West was inspired by Billerud’s economic impact and the history of the mill.

“I really enjoyed combining the history of the paper mill with the walking tour,” West said. “The mill has employed so many members of my family over the years, and finally having an opportunity to see the inner workings of their day-to-day operations helped bring things full circle for me.”

Delta Force students then asked questions and learned more about the financial impact of Billerud. With an average annual economic impact of nearly $360 million, including wages, salaries and taxes paid, and raw materials and services purchased, the impact is staggering.

Students enjoyed lunch provided by Billerud, and then moved on to the next segment of the day at the MSU U.P. Forestry Innovation Center.

Students toured the Forestry Innovation Center’s sugar bush to see the maple trees, lines and tanks. They also went in the woods to different locations and heard presentations from the staff on topics including invasive species and ash trees. They also learned from U.P. Forestry Innovation Center Director Jesse Randall, along with Operations Forester Kile Zuidema and Forest Technician Tyler Tankersley, about the willow and harvest procedure and how it combines with biomass.

Students then learned about the maple syrup process in the Innovation Center’s sugar house and maple store where they saw the maple syrup evaporator and finished products up close. Innovation Center Office Coordinator Adrienne St. Vincent provided students with samples of “Yooper Gold” pure maple syrup confections, including maple cream and maple cotton candy, and explained how the delicious products are made.

For more information on the Forestry Innovation Center, search “Yooper Forestry” on Facebook.

Next month during Economic Development Day, Delta Force students will learn from Delta County business owners and economic development leaders.

Created and facilitated by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Force encompasses a series of ten full-day sessions covering key segments of our community. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program” deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program for more information.

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Victoria LaFave is with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.