World Television Day
21 November 2018
As John May says, Robert Lamb [February 7, 1949 – September 12, 2005] was a “conservationist with a warning for the world about deforestation.[8*]” Lamb as editor of Earth Report also contributed to the periodical “Tree News” and “The Generalist”. Robert Lamb worked indefatigably as a tree campaigner, and conservationist and was employed as a government scientific officer in the fields of tropical agronomy, entomology, and integrated management in Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Yemen, and Nigeria.
Robert Lamb wrote a biographical tribute on the 80th birthday of Richard St. Barbe Baker. Whereas, St. Barbe Baker is known for the books he published, as well as his role in establishing the International Tree Foundation [formerly Man of the Trees]. However, Robert Lamb remembered that St. Barbe also helped to initiate the Soil Association and the Forestry Association of Great Britain. Robert Lamb chose his vocation as a forester from hearing the passionate speeches of St. Barbe Baker. The ripple effect that St. Barbe Baker had on the planet resulted in a global awareness of the importance of trees and forests to the survival of our planet.
“His life [Richard St. Barbe Baker’s] proved that it is not enough just to know trees or understand the science of coexisting with them. If we wish to deserve to protect them, we must also love them.” Robert Lamb.
Robert Lamb went on to write the book, “World without trees” Dutch Elm disease and other human errors. Introduction by Anthony Huxley. Publisher: Wildwood House Ltd; First Edition edition (May 17, 1979) ISBN-10: 0704502577 ISBN-13: 978-0704502574, ” Drawing the Line: Earth Report 10″, “Careers in environmental conservation” revised by Robert Lamb. (ISBN)0749415673 (OCoLC)34851079 and “Promising the Earth” Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 11, 1996) ISBN-10: 0415144434 ISBN-13: 978-0415144438. LAmb followed these publications with a documentary, “Mpino, the Tree that Makes Music” (1992) Other notable documentaries followed; “Fate of the Forest” [1996], “Paper Tiger” and “Blood Timber”. Robert Lamb compiled an extensive filmography of over 220 documentaries. Lamb worked with the World Forest Action [WFA], and Friends of the Earth [FoE]
In the book “World without trees” Dutch Elm disease and other human errors, Lamb calls attention to the international crisis of worldwide deforestation, and Dutch Elm Disease. The Elm, “as well as being a dominant tree in many rural areas, the elm was also an important urban tree, and once constituted a significant proportion of the tree population in many towns and cities…The Dutch elm disease crisis had a profound impact on how the British public viewed not only their trees, but the wider natural environment. The idea that such a well-loved tree could just disappear from our rural and urban landscapes was difficult for many people to grasp.”
What brought about the mishap of the arboreal disaster, the fungal disease known as Dutch Elm disease? “the major causes being the virulence of the mutant strain of the causal fungus from Canada, its wide specificity [an entire genus], its largely clonal mode of regeneration, and lastly the failure of much-acclaimed phytosanitary measures at the ports. Re-installation of this beautiful and useful genus, pheromones having disappointed, may, one can hope, depend on a viral success comparable to that of Baculovirus oryctes on the coconut beetle[1]” So was the Dutch Elm disease epidemic caused by the “careless trafficking of timber traders?[1]”
“Promising the Earth” relates the epic struggles of the Friends of the Earth environmental group, and the unfolding story of green campaigns. Working for the Friends of the Earth has been described as “It’s not another job in another organisation; it’s a cause, and it takes people over, body, mind and soul.[3]**”
“These are times that try men’s souls. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. Let it be told to the future that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and repulse it.” ~Tom Paine
“Mpino, the Tree that Makes Music” (1992) alerted the world to the devastating effects of woodwind instruments, the clarinet and flute, created from the African Blackwood Tree (African Ebony) family Leguminosae, genus Dalbergiav, species melanoxylon. As a result of this documentary, musical concerts raised funds to reforest the African Blackwood Tree. The call to plant special trees and to protect the African Blackwood Tree, was taken up by Debbie Larson, the African Blackwood Conservation Project ABCP and Fauna and Flora International/SoundWood.
Robert Lamb was a voice for the environment, and spoke up on behalf of forests globally. With creative vision, publishing numerous books, and documentaries, Robert Lamb made a difference networking the devastating effects of deforestation and increasing environmental consciousness internationally.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Edwardson, T.E. World without trees [review] New Scientist 12 July 1979.
2. Jonhston, Mark. Trees in Towns and Cities: A History of British Urban Arboriculture Publisher Windgather Press, 2015 ISBN 1909686638, 9781909686632.
3. **Lamb, Robert. Promising the Earth Routledge, 2012ISBN 1135104638, 9781135104634
4. Robert Lamb. Writer and conservationist. The Times [London]. November 1, 2005
5.Lamb, Robert. The Man of the Trees. The Generalist. October 14, 2005.
6. Robert Lamb Environmentalist who devoted himself to highlighting the destruction of forest habitats for commercial purposes. The Times U.K. November 12, 2005
7. May, John. Robert Lamb: Tree Campaigner, Creative Conservationist The Generalist. October 14, 2005.
8*. May, John. Robert Lamb The Guardian. Oct. 14, 2005. [
John May, a freelance journalist, and editor of “The Generalist” brings forward news and developments as they affect the environment, science, culture and politics.
9. Robert Lamb. Source Watch.
For more information:
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
| Payment Options |
| Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD |
1./ Learn.
2./ Experience
3./ Do Something: ***
“I believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath.” Richard St. Barbe Baker
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 