Astrid Thorsen
 Who's Who of Nouvelle Alexandrie | |
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| Astrid Thorsen | |
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| Photograph from 1750 AN. | |
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| Director of the Federal Parks Service (1742 AN–present) Director of the North Lyrica Regional Environmental Protection Agency (1736 AN–1742 AN) | |
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| Full Name | Astrid Sigrid Thorsen |
| Birth Date | 7.II.1705 AN (46 AN years) |
| Birth Place |  Elijah's Rest, Normark
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| Parents | Erik Thorsen (father) Margarethe Thorsen (née Hansen; mother) |
| Spouse | Henri Beaumont (m. 1733 AN) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Biology and Forestry |
| Alma Mater | University of Beaufort |
| Occupation | Federal administrator Environmental specialist |
| Employer | Department of Interior (Nouvelle Alexandrie) |
| Political Affiliation | Federal Humanist Party |
| Languages | Norse Alexandrian Common Tongue |
| City and Region of Residence |  Beaufort, North Lyrica
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| National Origin | Normark
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| Citizenship(s) |  Nouvelle Alexandrie
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| Known For | Whistleblower in North Lyrica logging scandal |
| Associated Organizations | Federal Parks Service North Lyrica Regional Environmental Protection Agency |
Astrid Sigrid Thorsen (born 7.II.1705 AN) is a New Alexandrian federal administrator serving as Director of the Federal Parks Service since 1742 AN. A member of the Federal Humanist Party, she previously served as Director of the North Lyrica Regional Environmental Protection Agency from 1736 AN to 1742 AN. Born in Elijah's Rest, Normark, to New Alexandrian diplomatic personnel, Thorsen relocated to Nouvelle Alexandrie at age twelve. In 1749 AN, she became a key whistleblower in the North Lyrica logging scandal, providing federal investigators with documentation of illegal logging operations on protected federal lands.
Early life and education
Thorsen was born in Elijah's Rest, Normark, where her father Erik Thorsen served as chief of station at the New Alexandrian embassy and her mother Margarethe Thorsen née Hansen worked as an intelligence analyst. Both parents were members of the Nationalist & Humanist Party. The family home served as a gathering place for the New Alexandrian expatriate community in Elijah's Rest. As a child, Thorsen participated in the Humanist Vanguard youth program, where she developed interests in outdoor activities and environmental science. She earned her Red Hand badge at age sixteen after completing a wilderness survival and leadership course.
In 1717 AN, the family relocated to Beaufort, North Lyrica, where her parents continued government service in intelligence coordination. Thorsen attended Beaufort Secondary School, excelling in sciences and mathematics. She was active in the school's environmental club and organized campaigns to establish protected green spaces within Beaufort. In 1723 AN, Thorsen enrolled at the University of Beaufort, pursuing a degree in biology and forestry. Her senior thesis examined sustainable timber harvesting in North Lyrican old-growth forests, earning departmental honors. The thesis was later published in the Journal of New Alexandrian Forestry. She graduated in 1727 AN with distinction.
Career
After graduation, Thorsen joined Lyrica Forest Products Corporation as a field biologist, conducting environmental impact assessments for logging operations throughout North Lyrica. By 1730 AN, she had been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer, responsible for ensuring company operations adhered to environmental regulations. In 1733 AN, Thorsen joined the North Lyrica regional government as Deputy Director of Environmental Monitoring. Her work focused on modernizing environmental monitoring systems and improving coordination between regional and federal agencies.
Regional Environmental Protection Agency
Thorsen was appointed Director of the North Lyrica Regional Environmental Protection Agency in 1736 AN. She implemented digital monitoring systems for logging operations, established protocols for environmental impact assessments, and developed emergency response protocols.
During the North Lyrica wildfires of 1738, Thorsen coordinated evacuation of 40,000 residents and managed multi-agency disaster response. The crisis resulted in zero civilian casualties despite destroying over 200,000 hectares of forest. Her after-action report became required reading at the Federal Emergency Management Academy and influenced federal wildfire preparedness policy.
Federal Parks Service
In 1742 AN, Thorsen was appointed Director of the Federal Parks Service by the Jimenez administration, with oversight of all federal land management operations in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Her office conducts investigations into illegal resource extraction, bid-rigging in federal contracts, and conflicts of interest in land leasing decisions. Thorsen's role includes national security responsibilities related to border areas, critical infrastructure sites, and strategic natural resources on federal lands. She works with the Federal Gendarmerie, Department of Defense, and intelligence agencies on security protocols for federal facilities.
She established inter-regional coordination mechanisms, joint training programs for federal and regional conservation officers, and shared emergency response protocols.
North Lyrica logging scandal
In mid-1748 AN, Thorsen observed statistical anomalies in North Lyrica logging permit data, including unusual numbers of permits for areas adjacent to protected federal lands, logging volumes inconsistent with sustainable harvest rates, and faster-than-normal permit approvals. Field inspections conducted between VIII.1748 AN and XI.1748 AN documented extensive logging in areas encroaching on federally protected lands, including the Montagnes Vertes Protected Forest Reserve and Lac du Nord Watershed Protection Zone. Satellite imagery confirmed clear-cutting in areas designated as protected under federal law.
Investigation revealed evidence of coordination between Regional Governor Christian Cartier du Bois's administration and timber corporations to circumvent federal environmental protections. Documents showed logging permits issued for protected areas through manipulation of boundary definitions and forest type misclassification. Financial records revealed unusual payment patterns involving shell companies associated with regional officials.
In late 1748 AN, Thorsen compiled a report documenting the illegal operations and evidence of corruption. She submitted it to the Department of Justice, Department of Energy and Environment, and Federal Gendarmerie. She also provided documentation to investigative journalists at The Lyrican Herald. Thorsen's documentation provided federal prosecutors with evidence of the corruption scheme and identified key witnesses and financial records. Her status as a federal official and FHP member gave her testimony credibility. The decision created tension with some FHP colleagues who viewed her actions as disloyalty to a party member.
Views and approach
Thorsen's environmental administration reflects Pragmatic Humanism principles, emphasizing evidence-based policy, meritocratic systems, and anti-corruption enforcement. Her role in the North Lyrica logging scandal generated debate within the FHP about institutional integrity versus party loyalty. Thorsen has advocated for balancing environmental protection with economic development through sustainable resource management. She supports rigorous scientific assessment of environmental impacts, transparent decision-making processes, and consistent enforcement standards.
Personal life
Thorsen married Henri Beaumont, a forest ranger, in 1733 AN. They have three children and live in Beaufort, North Lyrica. She serves on the advisory board of the University of Beaufort's School of Forestry and is a member of the New Alexandrian Association of Conservation Professionals. Thorsen is fluent in Norse, Alexandrian, and Common Tongue, with working knowledge of Martino.
