View XML QR Code

Fred Weber papers, 1974-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Weber, Fred R., 1926-1991
Title
Fred Weber papers
Dates
1974-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 cubic feet, (2 document boxes.)
Collection Number
MG 617
Summary
This collection consists of a variety of papers kept by Fred Weber during his time researching ways to improve forestry and vegetation in Africa from 1974-1990. Contained are paper drafts, project proposals, service reports, handwritten notes, and even several French lesson packets for the African territories where French is the official language. Some of the research papers are written by Weber, but others are included because they requested Weber's commentary. Weber's research in forestry varied in specific topic from soil restoration to rural land reclamation to deforestation. He worked heavily with the Peace Corps and Forest Service. Work would also expand outside of forestry into Range and Livestock projects funded by USAID.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

Fred Rico Weber was born on either the 14 or 15 April 1926 in Zurich, Switzerland. He Became a naturalized U. S. citizen in 1957. Fred R. Weber was named USAID in the early 1960s as advisor to the Director of Forestry in Niger. He would introduce many basic innovations in forestry and was instrumental in large scale planting of trees in Niamey. In the 1970s, he conceived the idea of community-based natural forest management where communities would manage classified forests on a sustained-yield basis. Additionally, Weber was snow dynamics engineer with the Idaho highway department in the early 1960s and was a member of Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit, Inc. When it was incorporated in 1961. He married Jacquelyn Willmorth in 1954 in Caldwell, Idaho. The two would live in Boise and in Africa. Fred Weber died 9 October 1991 in Boise.

Return to Top

Content Description

Within this collection are many papers and research notes having to do with Fred Weber's time in Africa. The territories mentioned are Somalia, Mauritania, Sudan, Sahel, Algeria, and Kenya. The first folder contains unfinished, edited drafts and service reports about rural land reclamation and forest management. The second folder is only the copy of the Kenya Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Development Project paper and a review from Fred Weber. The third folder contains some papers and documents from the peace corps and Weber's comments, as well as a list of peace corps staff from 1978. The fourth and largest folder includes many papers and essays concerning the Somalia Program and a refugee self-reliance program. The fifth folder contains papers on the vegetation production and renewable resource management for Mauritania. The sixth folder contains a few papers by Weber about reforestation and soil restoration that do not fit well into the other folder categories. The seventh folder includes many different basic French lessons for volunteers involved in projects in Francophone countries. The eighth and last folder holds a few handwritten notes to or from Weber. Overall, this collection spans from 1974-1990 and across the continent of Africa as Fred Weber conduct research and shares his thoughts on forestry and conservation.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

FOR DOCUMENTS Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

All items were looked over and sorted into folders of similar topic or research location.

Acquisition Information

Materials were acquired and donated by Paul Conditt in 1992.

Processing Note

Removed any paper clips and replaced them with plastic clips. Resorted basically all of the items into like categories that includes edited drafts, location-based research, Peace Corps commentary, finalized research papers, French language lessons, and a few handwritten notes that did not fit in any other section.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Series I:

    • Description: Service Report Rough Drafts
      12 items : Edited rough drafts for service reports or other research essays by Fred Webber.
      Dates: July 1977-August 1977
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
    • Description: 1: Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Development Project
      4 items : Copy of the Kenya Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Development Project paper and a review/comments from Fred Weber.
      Dates: August 1979-July 1980
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
    • Description: Peace Corps
      10 items : Research reports, paper reviews, and letters surrounding Fred Weber's work done for the Peace Corps.
      Dates: November 1978-July 1980
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
    • Description: Somalia Program
      6 items : Project proposals and reports for the Somalia Program.
      Dates: November 1982-July 1988
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
    • Description: Mauritania
      12 items : Research papers, reports, and maps for the agricultural plans and resource management of Mauritania.
      Dates: April 1977-November 1982
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
    • Description: Research Proposals & Essays
      14 items : Papers written by or sent to Fred Weber about his research in Africa.
      Dates: July 1977-February 1990
      Container: Box 2, Folder 6
    • Description: French Language Lessons
      20 items : A series of basic French lessons and worksheets for the French speaking countries in Africa.
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2, Folder 7
    • Description: Handwritten Notes
      4 items : A handwritten letter to Fred Weber as well as personal notes taken for an ecology project.
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 2, Folder 8

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Forest Conservation
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • research (function)
Loading...
Loading...