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The peacemaker


NazamDulat works to keep things neighbourly when noise devices rile nearby residents. By Tamara Leigh


I


t takes a special kind of person to step into themiddle of a conflict, but forNazamDulat it’s just


another day on the job. As community liaison for the B.C. Blueberry Council, that job is to respondwhen someone makes a complaint about a noise device during the berry season – 24 hours a day, seven days aweek, anywhere in the Fraser Valley. “My car ismy house,” he sayswith a


laugh. “During the growing season it’s very busy.We’re not like a bylawofficer whowill tell you to leave amessage;we respond to calls very quickly.” Tall, lean and soft-spoken,Dulat is


well-known to blueberry growers in the Fraser Valley, andwell-liked by people on both sides of the fight over noise devices.His unimposing presence makes it easier for himto do thework of sorting through the emotions of the issue, explain the guidelines and help neighbours understand each other better. “WhatNazamdoes is very important


becausewewant people to have a positive viewof our industry,” says Jason Smith, blueberry grower and chair of the BCBC. “If a grower is operating outside of the guidelines, it doesn’t look good for us and it’s not doing anything to control the birds.” “The education thatNazamprovides


to the growers aswell as the public has been really beneficial, andwe’ve had a lot of positive feedback frompeople that Nazamworkswith, complainants and growers,” he adds. Education is a huge part of the job. As


growers prepare for the season,Nazam workswith themto explain the requirements of the guidelines laid out by the B.C.Ministry of Agriculture.He also helps the growers to understand all the tools available for birdmanagement and encourages themto use a variety in theirmanagement plan.


British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2014 7 Nazam Dulat TAMARA LEIGH “Beforehandweworkwith growers to


reduce the number of complaints, and talk to themaboutwhat else they can do to reduce impacts on the neighbours,” saysNazam, explaining the value of building relationships. “If you aremy neighbour and I explainwhy I amdoing something, then you understand that I amin trouble and protectingmy crop. Be a good neighbour; say hello and nobodywill say anything.” Establishing his own relationships


with the growers is important aswell, particularly once harvest starts and


everybody isworking under pressure. Typically complaints start in June and peak in July and August during the height of harvest. Calls come in through the BCBC office, email, ormore commonly toNazam’s cell phone. When a call comes in,


Nazamresponds as soon as possible,meetingwith the complainant and the grower, getting to the heart of the conflict, andmediating a resolution. “It’s a big commitment.Most


people are on call a day or two –Nazamis on call for at least threemonths, if notmore,” says Smith. “Then there’s the prep beforehand, and after the season is done, providing conclusions, assessments and suggestions to help council understand howto communicate better. Thework he’s done has been great for


our industry.” The positive impact of relationship


building and educating growers and the public is paying off.During 2013, the number of complaints in each district decreased by at least 50 percent. “It’s a challenging job, but at the same


time youmeet different growers and people.Nowsomany growers knowme, it’s very easy to resolve a situation. Even the complainants knowme now,” he says. “Everyone appreciateswhat I do.


That’swhat bringsme back every year.”


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