Interview with Alastair Fraser, author of Forestry Flavours of the Month

Publication Date: May 20, 2016
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Formats: Ebook
Pages: 228
Genre: Biography
Tour Dates: September 4 - 15

     

Forestry touches on all aspects of human welfare in one way or another, which is why foresters need to play an active role in determining our collective agenda. Alastair Fraser, a lifelong forester and the co-founder of LTS International, a forestry consulting company, explains how forestry changes with political cycles and how foresters can promote healthy forests at all times.

He explores critical issues such as:
• forests and their connection to coal;
• forest's role in combatting floods and climate change;
• illegal logging in Indonesia, Laos, and elsewhere;
• tactics to promote sustainable forestry management;
• plantations as a solution to tropical deforestation.

From pulping in Sweden and Brazil, paper mills in Greece and India, agroforestry in the Philippines, "pink" disease in India and oil bearing trees of Vietnam, no topic is off limits. Based on the author's life as a forester in dozens of countries, this account shows the breadth of forestry and makes a convincing case that forestry management needs to focus on managing change and achieving sustainability. Whether you're preparing to become a forester, already in the field, or involved with conservation, the environment or government, you'll be driven to action with Forestry Flavours of the Month.

INTERVIEW:

Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wrote it in an attempt to raise public awareness of what forestry is all about and how forests benefit mankind. The book describes some of the more interesting topics that I have been involved in, and places that I have visited over the past 55 years working as an international consultant in forestry.  It aims to describe some of the big issues facing forests and the environment such as illegal logging and deforestation, as well as some of the benefits that forests provide. 

Which part of the book was hardest to write?

No part was hard as it is based on my personal experiences and I have diries and field notebooks where I recorded everything.

Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know?

Yes.  The book is intended to raise awareness about the things that Forestry entails and show people how important forests are for mankind in so many ways (apart from timber and other forest products including biomass fuel (firewood) fruit, fodder medicines, oils and gums and fibres, forests are important as: a wildlife habitat, a place for human recreation and leisure. Improving the landscape, mitigation the effect of flash flooding and soil erosion, sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change and emitting oxygen, providing shade and shelter).

Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I have always enjoyed writing since starting my professional career.

Besides books, do you write anything else?

I have written 128 scientific papers and technical documents and one technical textbook.

Alastair Fraser is a founder member of the archaeology group No Man s Land. He has worked as researcher and participant in a number of Great War documentaries. Steve Roberts is a retired police officer and an ex-regular soldier. He specialises in researching individuals who served during the war and is also a founder member of No Man s Land. Andrew Robertshaw frequently appears on television as a commentator on battlefield archaeology and the soldier in history, and he has coordinated the work of No Man s Land. His publications include Somme 1 July 1916: Tragedy and Triumph, Digging the Trenches (with David Kenyon) and The Platoon.