Vegetation Scoper Adam Richardson is about to mark a milestone. He will soon clock up 10 years with Active Tree Services on a contract that encompasses some of the most pristine environments in the country.

Since it’s beginning back in 2016, Adam has been part of Active Tasmania, a tight-knit team which has grown to look after vegetation management across almost all of the state.

“I’d previously worked in traffic control with another vegetation management company, so I started in traffic control with Active,” Adam says.

“Then I was on the chipper for 12 months and thought cutting might be good to do.”

“So, I was put with an experienced guy doing groundwork and then they chucked me in the EWP bucket and off I went.”

These days, Adam is a scoper. The job sees him travelling ahead of Active’s cutting crews to identify which trees will need to be cut or removed around Tasmania’s powerline infrastructure.

“Basically, I follow the powerlines, inspecting property and the roadside, while factoring in growth rates,” he says.

“If something needs cutting, I note it for the crews.”

The job offers a mix of independence and customer liaison, and Adam says it’s a role he thoroughly enjoys.

“I love the fact I’m out there by myself but also meeting new people every day,” he states.

Adam is based in Hobart but has worked all over Tasmania, including Bruny Island and Southport, which he describes as some of the island’s most picturesque locations.

His time with Active has also seen him travel interstate, helping out in South Australia and Victoria.

“I spent 11 months in Victoria cutting in places like Colac, Apollo Bay and Lorne along the Great Ocean Road, which was pretty spectacular,” he recalls.

Over his time with Active, Adam has witnessed the company’s Tasmanian contract grow and expand.

“We’ve gone through the negotiations, won additional contracts and been able to keep it since 2016, which is incredible,” he says.

Along the way, Adam says he’s been grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills and also the camaraderie of a tight-knit team.

“You’ve just got to show initiative and show you’re willing to try and opportunities will be made available to you,” he says.

Outside of work, Adam has been married for 12 years, enjoys annual holidays to the Gold Coast and spends his spare time playing golf.

“If I’m not at work, I’m on the golf course, and it’s not that different to work really as I’m always in the trees!”

Reflecting on his decade with Active, Adam says the best part has been the variety of experiences and the people he’s had the opportunity to work with.

“It’s a good bunch of blokes,” he reflects.

“You can always talk to anyone, management is great, and everyone is on the one team.”