Patrick B. Durst is senior forestry officer with FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, from where he has helped coordinate FAO's forestry programmes for more than a decade. He started his international forestry career in 1978 as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching and learning agroforestry practices from farmers in remote eastern Bohol, Philippines. An "American in Asia," Durst has spent most of the past 25 years living and working in the region. He has explored the cultures and forests of every one of the 21 countries that are home to the forests featured in this book. He has written, co-authored or edited more than 80 books and scientific articles on Asia-Pacific forestry.
Chris Brown is a New Zealand forestry consultant who has worked with FAO since 1996. He worked as Desk Officer for the path-breaking Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study, and has authored numerous FAO publications including The global outlook for future wood supplies from forest plantations and The state of forestry in Asia and the Pacific - 2003. He has a master's degree in economics from the University of Canterbury.
Henrylito D. Tacio is a Filipino journalist specializing in environment and health issues. He writes for various national and international publications including Reader's Digest and People and the Planet. He has received more than a dozen journalism awards, including the Hall of Fame in science reporting and 1999 Journalist of the Year from the Rotary Club of Manila. Currently, he is the information officer for the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation.
Miyuki Ishikawa is an Associate Professional Officer specialising in forest economics and policy at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Prior to joining FAO, she worked in Lao PDR as a consultant for a community-based forest management project. As a development practitioner, she has conducted research focusing on rural development and natural resource management. She holds a master's degree in Public Administration/International Development from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
