Interview with Alastair Fraser, author of Forestry of Flavours of the Month: The Changing Face of World Forestry

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.

What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process? 

Nothing in particular; it was all fairly straightforward. 

How about the social networks? Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid? 

Don’t use social media; sometimes think it does more harm than good and I prefer to maintain my privacy; seems SM is mainly for people who like to show off. I have my own network of friends that I communicate with directly 

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about? 

 I’m not taken to jumping on rooftops and screaming, but I do feel strongly about my chosen profession of forestry, which is what my book is all about, and I do what I can to raise awareness of it importance to mankind. 

What is something people may be surprised to know about you? 

That I am 81 years old. 

What are 10 words that best describe you? 

Practical, pragmatic, intelligent, knowledgeable, sincere, loyal, loving, experienced in the world, travelled, diligent.

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.