Fighting Over the Forests

As a unique contribution to the literature on the environment, "Fighting over the forests" offers insights which illuminate many of the current controversies. During the past decade, environmental politics throughout much of Australia have been dominated by conflicts between timber workers and conservationists. One of the earliest and most bitter conflicts was the rainforest controversy and the blockage of Terania Creek on the northern coast of New South Wales. Analysing this conflict and locating it within the wider context of the economic restructuring of the timber industry, the social and cultural dimensions of timber work and the social features of conservation politics, Ian Watson brings the issues to life. In drawing on the words of over fifty timber workers, foresters and conservationists, "Fighting over the forests" gives a strong voice to the many ordinary people caught up in these dramatic environmental struggles, and seeks to advance the debate on this enduring dilemma.
"Ian Watson, a social research officer who has been researching and writing on ecology and unemployment issues for over a decade, is the author of "Double depression: schooling, unemployment and family life in the eighties" (Allen & Unwin). This book is intended for students and researchers in environmental science, geography and Australian studies.