Assiniboine Park Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit

Unless you happen to be a polar bear living at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo, it is doubtful that you will ever see these shelters we built for them.

There were two shelters built in the back end of the main polar bear exhibit. I had no idea that the back area even existed! My jaw dropped when I first saw these massive structures. You can see one of our guys working on it. And he's no small guy!

The heaviest oak tree in the shelters topped out at an outstanding 4000lbs! The trees used had been taken down for farm development here in Manitoba and were destined for the landfill until we sourced them.

Being one of the strongest native hardwoods it was a perfect choice to withstand any abuse these massive creatures may lay on their new structure! Oak also has natural oils that prevents the tree from rotting and allowed us the option of not finishing or coating the structure.
Truly "STRONG AS WOOD!"

Rethink. Reclaim. Reuse. - Ray

Change is good!

Reclaimed Elm wood stump.

Its been an on going effort to streamline all of our information on the website.  Making sure our New and regular visitors can access information on reclaimed wood and the products easily! I've made some minor changes recently so I thought I'd share them with you.

One change you will notice is that you can access our blog at top header section. It has been removed from the media buttons i.e. facebook, twitter (which if you haven't yet, please feel free to friend, like and follow us!)

I have also amalgamated the "FAQ" page and "Woodology" Page on to the "How we reclaim" page. I've noticed the most inquiries point to the "How we reclaim" page.

Another change you may notice is the blog name. It is now "The End Grain". There's no real specific meaning but it is direct and its something we obviously come across from day to day!

There you have it. Feel free to send me comments or suggestions related to the website or the "The End Grain"! 

Rethink. Reclaim. Reuse. - Ray

Happy New Years its 2011!!

Happy New Years friends! I hope you all had the opportunity to take some time off over the holidays to get some much needed R & R after a long 2010. It's hard to believe that another decade has past. And thinking back, its difficult to decipher the events from year to year. It all seems to be blurred into one!

I've been with Wood Anchor for almost a year and a half now and its been a revealing experience in the world of wood. I didn't know ANYTHING about wood or reclaimed wood! I do know now that working with reclaimed wood can be a huge challenge. I don't get to work with the wood first hand (that's not part of my job description) but I do get to see the guys in the shop hone their craft with wood working. Each project we do is so unique. And turns out beautifully! There are specific characteristics to look for between species but there is not one piece of wood out of the same cut that is alike. After all the years gone by that that salvaged wood is still "ALIVE"!

2011 is going to be a pivotal year for Wood Anchor. We hope to make our mark in building more awareness and educating the masses of our local community about the benefits and beauty of using reclaimed wood. Showing them how it can be used as an alternative material in building and design.

There are many changes happening in the building industry that are pushing for even more sustainable solutions. As they should be. Today's environment seems to be more volatile than ever. Floods, heavy storms, and drought could be due to cyclical climate patterns as some skeptics say,  but what if its not? What if global warming is the result of us humans & our over consuming lust for industrial technology? Either way, we all have to do our part in the solution. Let's continue on the track for the next decade!

Rethink. Reclaim. Reuse. - Ray