World-leading forest expert, Professor David Lindenmayer, will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on his new book The Forest Wars, which lifts the lid on destruction of native forests by government corporations and logging industry that is making bushfires worse, killing wildlife and costing taxpayers millions, for the sake of woodchips for export.

Since colonisation, Australians have been frantically logging our native forests as if our lives depended on it. Our lives do depend on the forests—but on keeping them, not destroying them. David Lindenmayer exposes the unsettling truth about what is happening in our tall eucalypt forests. Despite what we are told, logging makes bushfires worse for decades after the chainsaws stop, and kills iconic animals and birds each year in droves, driving many species closer to extinction. The trees that are logged mostly end up as paper and cardboard. And it's not profitable: taxpayers are funding it.

David Lindenmayer reveals an unholy alliance between state forestry, the timber industry and unions. Loggers routinely breach regulations, and industry intimidates anyone who questions what they are doing. Worse still, even where native forest logging is supposedly ending, efforts are being made to continue it under a different name. Forests purify our drinking water. Forests are our best hope to reduce carbon emissions. Forests preserve biodiversity. It's time we realised the value of leaving our native forests standing.

'In the face of all the lies and industry spin, an evidence-based account that's clear, humane, and trustworthy.' - Tim Winton

'The Forest Wars details the devastating impact of decades of failed policy, but also paints a compelling vision for what the future of our forests can be.' - David Pocock

Professor David Lindenmayer AO is a world-leading expert in forest and woodland ecology, resource management, conservation science, and biodiversity conservation based at The Australian National University. David Lindenmayer has led some of the largest scale environmental research programs in Australia for over four decades. He is the author of more than 925 peer-reviewed scientific articles as well as 49 books on forests and biodiversity, including The Great Forest. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the American Academy of Sciences, and the Ecological Society of America.

Alex Sloan AM is an award-winning journalist and highly regarded interviewer, facilitator and MC. Alex has been a journalist for over 30 years, including 27 years as a broadcaster with the ABC. In 2017, Alex was named ACT Citizen of the Year, and in 2019 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

The vote thanks will be given by Senator David Pocock

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm, and available again after the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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A podcast will be made available after the event.
Symposium by University House Wine bar (Shop 13, 152 University Avenue, Acton, which is just next to the Kambri cultural centre) will now be open for dining after meet the author events. Food and wine details at https://unihouse.anu.edu.au/eat/symposium/. No bookings necessary.

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