James’s Comments (group member since Mar 02, 2015)

James’s comments from the Stand for the Environment group.

The Forester

Adirondack Moments

Hello,

I am new in this group & here is some background info.

I am retired from teaching forestry for 30 years at Paul Smith's College located in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, NY. Over the years my students often asked the question: what is good forest management? I changed the question to: what should the human relationship be with nature & have done a fair amount of research on this subject especially in the area of "environmental values & ethics."

My research eventually motivated me to write THE FORESTER. The main plot theme in my novel is "conflicting environmental values," which is presented & dramatized by various characters. While values was a major theme the story also developed as an adventure story & a love story & this helps to make the characters & plot more interesting, exciting, & realistic. It is also a story about a man who unknowingly searches for his place in nature.

My “click on” book page above goes into more detail on THE FORESTER.

I also have an interest in photography & began photographing the Adirondacks & showed an ongoing slide show to my students on this subject. At the end of my teaching career I published ADIRONDACK MOMENTS, a photo book of this incredible region.

I am interested in hearing from other folks about their views on the human relationship with nature & what they have read or written on this subject.

So, send me some words & questions.

James Kraus