Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman Last year I planted a small fenced vegetable and flower garden for the first time. I think that slugs harvested more of my lettuce than I did, so I have decided that I will Read more…
The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature by Peter Wohlleben Forester and conservationist Peter Wohlleben is the author of the bestselling book The Hidden Life of Trees. I recently came upon his book The Heartbeat of Trees. I love reading literature that deepens my appreciation of Read more…
A Year on the Wild Side: A West Coast Naturalist’s Almanac by Briony Penn Book Review by Lori Nick Salt Spring Island resident Briony Penn wears many hats—she is an author, artist, broadcaster, educator, and naturalist. Penn’s entertaining and educational book A Year on the Wild Side examines the flora and Read more…
The Hidden Lives of Owls: The Science and Spirit of Nature’s Most Elusive Birds by Leigh Calvez “Who cooks for youuuu. Who cooks the fooood?!” I woke early one morning on Mayne Island to the haunting song of two Barred Owls calling to each other. I have rarely seen an Read more…
Book review by Lori Nick I noticed Julia Zarankin’s memoir Field Notes From An Unintentional Birder on the B.C. Bestsellers list recently and it piqued my interest. I consider myself a bird watcher—I enjoy looking at birds that visit my feeders and it is fun to try to identify birds Read more…
Heart of the Coast Biodiversity and Resilience on the Pacific Edge by Tyee Bridge Author Tyee Bridge has written a comprehensive and informative book which focuses on the rich biodiversity of the Pacific Coast. In Heart of the Coast, Bridge features work done by researchers from the Hakai Institute, which Read more…
Spirits of the Coast: Orcas in Science, Art and History Edited by Martha Black, Lorne Hammond, Gavin Hanke, with Nikki Sanchez Killer Whales, sea wolves, blackfish…orcas have been called many names over the years. I have been fortunate to see them from land and on the sea. Witnessing the magnificence Read more…
Public libraries are invaluable sources of information. Borrowing books saves money and provides the opportunity for readers to “test-drive” those that they might like to purchase. I have a treasured reference collection of illustrated books. When I borrowed David Allen Sibley’s What It’s Like to be a Bird, I knew Read more…