This Month’s Book: Wild

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed follows a young woman through tragedies and trials through her healing on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). An inexperienced outdoors woman, Strayed embarked on a two month journey to try and find herself, her family, and a previously unattainable peace in her mind and heart. The trail provides a backdrop to her journey, guiding her through her own history and helping repair a rift in her heart.

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Getting out into nature is a wonderful way to push yourself, become closer to nature and the world around you. Hiking, camping, and generally getting out into the natural world is beneficial for all of us! Many of us use nature as a form of therapy, escaping to the coast, mountains, or desert to calm our nerves and rejuvenate ourselves. These experiences range from a few hours to a few months but are important. Strayed was lucky enough to be able to be able to experience the wild of the PCT.

The PCT is a 2,650–mile long trail which runs through Washington, Oregon and California from the border of Mexico to Canada. Travelers along the trail pass through desolate deserts and climb high mountain passes. It shows these adventurers the meaning of hot, dry, cold and wet. It brings you closer to yourself, nature and your companions on the trail.

While reading, the following questions came to my mind. Please use the comment section below to start or join in a conversation about the book.

• Strayed used the experiences on the trail to learn more about herself and to help herself heal. How have you used nature to help you in times of trial?
• From the beginning, Strayed shows an ignorance of the trail, such as her overly heavy pack, her lack of training, or knowledge of things like navigation. Do these trials show her strength and ability to succeed despite these hurdles or make her simply lucky to have survived?
• The PCT is a huge investment of time, something that most of us do not have. Can you have a similar experience on a shorter trip, such as one that lasts a week?

November/December’s Book

The NWF book club is changing from a book every month to one every two months. This session we will be reading A River Lost: The life and Death of the Columbia by Blaine Harden. Through the book we follow the history of the Columbia from a powerful, wild river filled with salmon to the mechanized river that we know today. Its power has changed from one of a crashing, wild river to the hum of power generation from dams and the water being pumped from the river to supply water for desert agriculture. The once abundant salmon have greatly diminished.

Questions while reading:

• The might of the Columbia now produces clean, cheap energy which helps reduce the impact of many Northwest cities. This clean energy comes at a price, however, as the dams have compromised our salmon runs. Is this reward worth the impact on our salmon?
• Like many great rivers the Columbia’s water has been used to bring agriculture to the desert. Without the dams, agriculture would not be able to thrive in these areas, but is comes at a great cost, reducing the amount of water in the river and in the case of some it means that these great rivers have run dry. Is this an appropriate use of our rivers or should we ensure that they are able to thrive along side of us?

Authors John Marzluff and Tony Angell take us through a journey of the intelligence, speech, insight, fun, passion, grief and risk which comprises the life of an average crow. Crows are many times associated with fear or annoyance but what lies within is more than meets the eye and ear.

Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angell

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As I sit here writing I can hear the loud cawing of crows outside my open door. A small flock glides by to light on the roof of a boat outside. From their perch they have a good view of the kayakers that pass by and must put up with their annoyed chatter as they paddle swiftly past. My initial reaction is to find their loud conversation a nuisance and distraction; now however I find myself fascinated by the way they interact with each other and the world around them.

While I can’t guarantee that their cawing will turn to song in your ears, The Gifts of the Crow will insure that you never look at them the same way again. From talking to gift giving there is nothing common about the common crow.

The following are questions to guide you through your discussion about this book. Please use the comments section of this blog to join in the conversation and share your thoughts about the book and about crows.

• In chapter 5 the authors introduce us to a number of grateful crows who seem to use gifts of dead rats, seed and candied hearts to endear themselves to the humans who feed and take care of them. The authors argue that this type of behavior shows that they have insight; crows understand that they will be rewarded by their gift giving. Do you think that this shows insight or are these ‘gifts’ simply coincidental?
• Speech is not something that many people would associate with crows but students at the University of Montana in 1964 would have another opinion. The calls of ‘hear boy!’ that brought dogs racing through campus that year were from none other than a local crow (pg 41). This is one of many examples given of crows and other birds using language to their advantage. Do these birds really understand what they are saying or do they simply mimic us without having an intended consequence?
• Here at the National Wildlife Federation we advocate for children getting outside to play and interact with their environment but human children are not the only ones who enjoy playing outside. From surfing to pulling pranks on neighborhood pets crows seem to enjoy having fun almost as much as we humans do! What examples of this have you seen in your own life?
• In the final chapter the authors argue that we should be able to keep crows as pets. Would you ever consider sharing your home with a crow?

When Elephants Week by Jeffery Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy

We are shown bears gazing out at the sunset, elephants painting, zebras selfishly defending each other and blushing chimpanzees. These sparkling stories bring light to the range of the emotions experienced and expressed by the animals with whom we share this planet.

Join in the Conversation

For many of us there is no question as to IF animals have emotions but WHAT emotions they have. Watching my families’ animals I am always amazed to see the dog bullied off of his bed by the much smaller cats that leave him to pout by the bedside. All around us we can see animals expressing emotions, be it cheerful squirrels chattering excitedly as people run from the nuts they hurl at them or vain cats preening on a windowsill. These expressions of emotions connect us in many ways to these dynamic creatures.

This book helps bring us closer to animals and gain a deeper understanding of the connections we have with these entities that enhances their importance on the planet. This is one of the reasons the National Wildlife Federation works hard to protect wildlife throughout our country.

The following are questions are meant to guide you through thinking about this book. Please use the comments section below to join in the conversation and share your thoughts. The questions are meant as a guide but please feel free to share any thoughts or feelings you have on this topic.

Bryn and Sam, happy at the end of a long hike (photo by: Bryn Fluharty)

• The authors and others use our understanding of human emotions to describe animal emotions. On page 41 they say that this anthropocentric view is a problem and makes us think of animals as ‘inferior forms of people.’ Should we think of their emotions as separate from our own? Is there another way to look at animal emotions without giving them human characteristics?
• Animals show joy, sorry, embarrassment and anger, along with other emotions. What impact does this have on the way that you interact with animals? Does it make the argument for protecting wildlife stronger or should we protect wildlife and other animals regardless?
• Many emotions, including our own, are hard if not impossible to describe. On page 58 the authors discuss the difficulty of defining bravery and tracing its roots. Due to this difficulty, is it right to talk about emotions such as bravery, especially in animals? Is it possible that these reactions have an evolutionary benefit?
• What are some examples of animal emotions that you have seen in your own life?

July’s Book

Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angell

There is much more to these birds than first meets the eye. Through Gifts of the Crow we will hear about their sharp intelligence, sense of humor and ability to have fun. The book is a mix of detailed text and drawings which brings a new and sparkling perspective on these dark creatures.

Something to Crow About

•What fun stories of crows do you have from your own life?

•History is full of stories and fables about crows and many stories seem fascinated by them yet as a society we tend to see them as ominous and pesky. Why is there a difference?

•While you are reading the book go out and observe crows in your own area. What do they do? How would you describe them? Can you see any traits that the authors talk about?

The Mindful Carnivore by Tovar Cerulli

We follow Cerulli through his time as a devout vegan as he transitions first to returning to fishing and later turns to hunting. This is not an issue that he takes lightly but feels that his connection to nature, the world, and the food that helps him, and all of us survive is deepened by his experience with hunting.

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We all connect to the world in different ways; be it boating, fishing, hiking, gardening, or hunting. For many, including Cerulli, hunting is a way to connect with nature and the outdoors. Hunting is also a complex topic, one which deals with our moral obligations to the world around us and a respect for the creatures that we share the planet with.

The morality of hunting is not an easy one to discuss and there are many opinions on both sides of the argument. Conservation as we know it today would not be the same without the support of hunters, anglers, and many others who believe that our natural world deserves protecting. The National Wildlife Federation has a strong history of working with hunters, anglers, gardeners, bird watchers, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and families to help protect our wildlife and wild places for future generations.

The following are questions to help guide you through a conversation around some of the issues and ideas brought up in this book.

• Once Cerulli has returned to fishing he begins to talk about the acceptability of fishing over hunting. For many of us (myself included) a responsible near vegetarian diet can include fish and other seafood. On page 86 he confronts the idea that fishing is a much more accepted form of obtaining meat than hunting. That we associate ourselves with mammals but not fish, making it easier for us to take the lives of aquatic creatures than the feathered and furry creatures living on land. Do you feel that there is a difference between hunting and fishing? Do you have a greater connection to mammals and other terrestrial animals than fish?
• Some of the most famous and well respected conservationists such as Teddy Roosevelt who is responsible for so many of our nation’s parks and protected areas were also hunters. Hunters and anglers remain strong voices for conservation, fighting against issues such as Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, AK and coal export from the Pacific Northwest. They also stand up for issues in conservation and climate issues. Starting on page 99 Cerulli talks about the history of conservation through the hunting and fishing lens. What drives you to speak up for our wildlife and wild places and what role do you feel hunting and fishing has in this?
• Our world is not always in balance. On page 169 Cerulli talks about the problems of overpopulation of deer and the impacts that this can have on the environment. Many times the lack of predators can create an over population of species such as deer and elk which can damage their habitat. Cerulli talks about the response of certain areas to allow hunting in these areas in order to help control the population. What are your thoughts on this?

When Elephants Weep–The Emotional Lives of Animals by Jeffrey Moussaief Masson and Susan McCarthy

June’s Book

In June we will be reading When Elephants Weep–The Emotional Lives of Animals by Jeffrey Moussaief Masson and Susan McCarthy. This book offers a profound look at the emotional lives of the animals that we share the planet with. From sadness to joy, jealousy, and anger animals express ranges of emotions similar to us. Discover the depth of this emotion that helps us better understand our planet and its inhabitants.

Thoughtful Moments

• I can’t help but feel the joy when my dog looks back at me while playing catch or feel the annoyance from the chattering squirrel in the tree as it hurls acorns at passersby. Where can you see emotions in the animals in your life?
• When we think of animal emotions should we look at them in the same way we look at our own emotions or should they be viewed in a different way?

Everyone enjoys a good book! Photo: Bryn Fluharty

Join in the Conversation

It is imperative that we combat this issue and get kids, families and individuals outside. We want to hear what you think! Join in the conversation by commenting below. The following are discussion points to help guide you through the conversation. Don’t feel held to these questions, however–share your thoughts and feelings about the book and this important issue.

• Louv talks about the dilemma of limited time that many children face today. One child talks about balancing piano lessons, homework and soccer practice which leaves them two to three hours in a weekend for free play (p118). Homework and other activities outside of school are important for children but so is unstructured play outside. Should parents reduce time on these other activities in favor of unstructured outdoor play? Organized sports get kids outside, do you think is this sufficient or do they need unstructured play as discussed by the author?
• Many environmentalists throughout history and today cite time out in nature as a major factor in leading them to be environmentalists. With today’s children spending less and less time outside many worry that the environmentalist is becoming ‘endangered’ (pp149-151). Louv argues that, ‘If children do not attach to the land, they will not reap the psychological and spiritual benefits they can glean from nature, nor will they feel a long term commitment to the environment, to the place’ (p157). Do you think that people will still fight for the environment and be stewards of the planet if they do not have the experiences of getting out into nature? How have your own experiences in nature impacted the way that you view the environment?
• Part V of the book discusses the importance of environmental education in the schools. Organizations like the National Wildlife Federation work to educate and inspire school children on environmental issues through programs such as EcoSchools USA. These programs fill gaps in established curriculum in schools where children can learn about environmental issues that face their community and the planet. Did you experience environmental education when you were young? If so how did this impact your connection to and understanding of nature?

The separation of children and nature is one that the National Wildlife Federation takes seriously. We are working hard to get kids, families and individuals outside through programs such as the upcoming Great American Backyard Campout. Another program, EcoSchools USA helps get environmental education into schools throughout the US.

May’s Book

The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian’s Hunt for Sustenance by Tovar Cerulli

Food for Thought

• Do you hunt or fish? How have these experiences impacted how you connect with nature and wildlife?
• From backyard vegetable gardens to hunting and angling our food can offer unique and powerful experiences in nature. How does the food that you eat connect you to the planet?

The Big Burn by Timothy Egan

Please use the following questions to guide you through a discussion of the book, which you can join by sharing your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.

• The Forest Service plays a central role in the book with dedicated members of the service giving everything to try to prevent the fire and minimize the damage once it had begun. Today much of the work done by the forest service is focused on fighting wildfires. Have we learned from the Big Burn or are we following a similar path? How should Climate Change factor into this?
• Profiting off of timber from the forests is a central issue in the book. Should the forests be managed for profit from timber or preserved? Is there a middle ground? How should we factor in other benefits such as carbon sequestration, water quality and recreation?
• Teddy Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot and John Muir talked about the inspirational landscapes and forests of the West that lead them to lives dedicated to conservation. Is exposure to the outdoors a necessary element to conservation and if so what are the implications of today’s youth being removed from nature?
• Did we learn from the fire? Are there any parallels between what Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot were fighting against and what modern conservationists face today?

Thank you for joining in our book club, we look forward to discussing these books with you!

April’s Book

The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Discussion: May 4th

Here are a couple of things to think about while reading the book:

• Do you see that children in your own life are removed from nature?
• What experiences in your childhood impacted how you feel about nature?

The National Wildlife Federation is dedicated to reconnecting kids and families to nature through our Be Out There campaign.

Everyone loves a good book! Photo by: Bryn Fluharty

On the first Friday of each month, we’ll publish our thoughts on the book. This will include some general observations and some thoughts on how the book’s themes fit into NWF’s overall mission. We then hope you’ll join in the discussion using the comments section of the blog to share your own thoughts about the book.

We’ll select works from hard-hitting environmental authors and include fictional tales that interweave their stories with ecological themes — books that engage and challenge us. We will choose cutting edge environmental books as well as books that talk about people’s connection to nature and the environment. We also plan to bring in guests who will discuss their work in the environmental literature field, to create an opportunity for you to interact with the authors themselves.

We look forward to discovering many new adventures in nature (and books!) with all of you!

April’s Book: The Big Burn by Timothy Egan

The Big Burn by Timothy Egan

By 1910 the Forest Service was a mere 5 years old and comprised of a few scattered and poorly paid and respected foresters. That particular summer brought with it unusually dry weather which set the stage for what would be the nation’s largest forest fire in history.

In The Big Burn, Egan skillfully leads the reader through the Roosevelt years, introducing characters such as Gifford Pinchot, Roosevelt’s collaborator in creating the Forest Service and its first chief forester. From here the story delves into the social and political atmosphere that nearly ended the Forest Service. It then reaches the summer of 1910 and a blaze that will stretch across most of the West, reducing whole towns to embers and leaving a dramatic mark on the nation’s history and the way that we approach conservation.

Discussion: Friday April 6, 2012

On Friday April 6 we will begin our discussion of The Big Burn.

Food for Thought:
1. What themes in the book are still at play today (mining, forestry management…) and what can we take from this story and apply it to conservation today?
2. How does the fire impact conservation today (or does it impact conservation today)?

We’ll also post our second book, which we’ll discuss in May. For now, use the comments section here if you have any questions, or let us know if you have suggestions for books we can feature in the future.