Richard Louv
Author of Last Child in the Woods and Our Wild Calling
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Richard Louv
“The biologist Clemens Arvay has given us a concise, utterly fascinating critique of the still-dominant reductionist, materialist view of the natural world. More important, he is one of the handful of modern eco-philosophers helping to paint a portrait of a future we can still help create, where human beings are not defined by the color of their skin or even the content of their brains, but by their integration with all of life.” (from Amazon)
by Clemens G Arvay·You?
by Clemens G Arvay·You?
Human beings are inseparable from the natural world, co-evolving with all of life. In order to thrive, we need to nourish this bond. In The Healing Code of Nature, biologist Clemens G. Arvay illuminates the miraculous ways that the human body interprets the living "code" of plants, animals, and our larger natural habitat for healing and sustenance. Here is a book as inspiring as it is fascinating, offering a new vision for the future of medicine and the way we relate to our environment. Learn more about: • The new science of eco-psychosomatics: the study of the close connection between mind, body, and nature • The biophilia effect and the healing relationship between humans and trees • Epigenetics and the mounting evidence of how environmental experiences of a living being can directly affect genetic material • The role of evolutionary medicine in understanding and treating cancer • Regenerating in nature and taking a time-out from the stressors of modern living • Unleashing the healing potential of encounters with animals • Moving beyond the materialist view to reclaim nature as an unsolvable mystery
Recommended by Richard Louv
“Compelling and wise, In Praise of Walking points the way to the human adventure.” (from Amazon)
by Shane O'Mara·You?
by Shane O'Mara·You?
A hymn to walking, the mechanical magic at the core of our humanity. In this captivating book, neuroscientist Shane O’Mara invites us to marvel at the benefits walking confers on our bodies and brains, and to appreciate the advantages of this uniquely human skill. From walking’s evolutionary origins, traced back millions of years to life forms on the ocean floor, to new findings from cutting-edge research, he reveals how the brain and nervous system give us the ability to balance, weave through a crowded city, and run our “inner GPS” system. Walking is good for our muscles and posture; it helps to protect and repair organs, and can slow or turn back the aging of our brains. With our minds in motion we think more creatively, our mood improves, and stress levels fall. Walking together to achieve a shared purpose is also a social glue that has contributed to our survival as a species. As our lives become increasingly sedentary, O’Mara makes the case that we must start walking again―whether it’s up a mountain, down to the park, or simply to school and work. In Praise of Walking illuminates the joys, health benefits, and mechanics of walking, and reminds us to get out of our chairs and discover a happier, healthier, more creative self.
Recommended by Richard Louv
“The greatest enemy of life on Earth is not fossil fuel, but human hubris. In our eleventh hour, the art of Allen Crawford and the words of Terry Tempest Williams offer witness and warning. A Wild Promise celebrates the lives that have been saved by the Endangered Species Act, even as that half-century act itself is endangered. This gentle, strong book marks this moment of peril and promise. We can ignore, and thereby accept, the dark tsunami of extinction moving through sea and air and across the land faster than any previous wave. Or we can find the power of our humility and our wider kinship. We can reconnect our children and ourselves to the rest of nature. We can reverse the deepening loneliness of our species. We can turn the tide.” (from Amazon)
by Allen Crawford, Terry Tempest Williams·You?
by Allen Crawford, Terry Tempest Williams·You?
A LITHUB BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF SUMMER In the powerful introduction Terry Tempest Williams reminds us, "Our wild promise within the Endangered Species Act to protect and keep safe threatened and critically endangered species from extinction can become vows of action." For the past fifty years, this promise, the Endangered Species Act, has ensured that the most threatened and vulnerable species and their habitats are protected. From the Steller sea lion to the ivory-billed woodpecker, from the steelhead trout to the red wolf, this landmark act has worked to preserve the wild beauty that surrounds and sustains us. In A Wild Promise, acclaimed artist Allen Crawford beautifully illustrates over eighty animals that embody the spirit, legacy, and commitment of the Endangered Species Act. In his trademark inventive style, Crawford’s full-color illustrations and illuminated text create a vibrant tapestry of our nation’s habitats―oceans, mountains, deserts, wetlands, prairies, and forests―and the varied species that call these places home. With a powerful and moving introduction by award-winning writer and conservationist Terry Tempest Williams, A Wild Promise is critically urgent and inspirational, lending voice and spirit to all endangered species. A visually delightful, one-of-a-kind work, A Wild Promise is a celebration of conservation, commitment, and compassion―a clarion call to continue to embrace, engage, and act in ways that preserve and protect our living world.
Recommended by Richard Louv
“Gratitude to Mass Audubon for this simple, direct, fun guide to help kids (and adults!) get to know nature — and themselves. Should be required reading in every school and family.” (from Amazon)
by The Environmental Educators of Mass Audubon·You?
by The Environmental Educators of Mass Audubon·You?
It’s fun to be nature smart! Nature Smarts Workbook, Ages 4-6is packed with interactive learning activities that expand STEM knowledge to include nature literacy. With an emphasis on teaching basic observational skills and introducing kids to the investigation method, the worksheets follow the acclaimed nature curriculum developed by the environmental educators at Mass Audubon, the largest state Audubon organization. Colorfully Illustrated games, puzzles, mazes, and on-the-page activities invite kids to learn to identify a range of common mammals and learn about their habitats; learn the distinctive parts of insects; know the tracks of the most common animals found across North America; and learn how seeds travel. Hands-on science activities get kids outdoors with projects ranging from collecting soil samples to observing different cloud formations; making a windsock to track wind direction; and creating a model of a beaver dam, and hunting for signs of bird life. This engaging workbook presents endless opportunities for discovery and learning—and nurtures the next generation of naturalists and conversation advocates.
Recommended by Richard Louv
“From Eclipse on a Stick to Enlightening Bugs, this book is the bee’s knees. In other words, it’s awesome.” (from Amazon)
by Dr. Megan Olivia Hall PhD MEd·You?
by Dr. Megan Olivia Hall PhD MEd·You?
Explore the outdoors with hands-on science activities for kids ages 5 to 10 Kids are full of big questions like "What makes plants grow?" or "Why does the moon change shape in the sky?". Awesome Outdoor Experiments for Kids can help them find the answers! It's a treasure trove of outdoor adventures, with more than 50 fun experiments that show kids science in action as they play outside. Every experiment focuses on at least one aspect of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. As kids explore each activity outdoors, they'll get the chance to interact with nature and the amazing processes that are happening all around them. They'll observe bug behavior, build a beaver dam, predict the weather, and so much more. Discover the ultimate guide to an outdoor science lab for kids: Easy to do at home―The activities use basic items that are probably already around the house and include easy-to-follow steps.Hows and whys―Kids will learn the real science behind every result with simple explanations of what happened, tips for exploring more, and fascinating questions to think about.Just for kids―Little ones might need a little help from a grown-up for certain steps, but these experiments are designed for kids to do all by themselves.Get kids outdoors with a book of hands-on experiments that show them the power of nature!