Nature and the natural world: general interest Books

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA must have for those with an interest in the marine fishes of the West Coast. Birdbooker Report This book will soon become your go-to identification guide, and is compact and durable enough with water resistant pages to throw in your dive bag, fishing tackle box, or field sampling gear. Together with Kells's previous book on fishes from Maine to Texas, you will be prepared to identify almost any coastal species you come across in the continental United States. Copeia This new guide to Pacific coast fishes from Johns Hopkins University Press would be a great addition to any Oregon Master Naturalist's library. Oregon Master Naturalist Program A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes by Kells, Rocha, and Allen is a wonderful field guide that would be a welcome addition to any dive bag or tackle box... I cannot recommend this book enough to anglers, divers, hobby naturalists, and students alike. It is a musthave for anyone who wants to quickly and accurately identify a Pacific Coast fish on the go. Environmental Biology of FishesTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceAbout This BookArea and Species CoveredNames and Sequence of SpeciesOrganization and PresentationIntroductionDiversity and ClassicationAdaptations to Life in WaterIdentifying FishesConservationFamiliesSpeciesGlossaryRare Fishes Also in the AreaSelect Bibliography and Additional ResourcesIndex

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Book SynopsisBased on a century of accumulated data and fifteen years of intensive study, The Mammals of Luzon Island delivers a message that will appeal equally to scientists, conservationists, and ecologically minded travelers.Trade Review... a very much anticipated work indeed for naturalists interested in [island biogeography]. The Well-Read Naturalist A must have for those with an interest in the mammals of the region. The Birdbooker Report This well written book will help to raise attention to the threatened mammals of Luzon and species conservation on Luzon and the Philippines as a hotspot for mammal biodiversity. Suiform Soundings The Mammals of Luzon: Biogeography and Natural History of a Philippine Fauna, is the most comprehensive book about Philippine mammals ever written. It is a highly accessible story of scientific inquiry and discovery Acta Chiropterologica The book is so important that students of Biology, particularly those studying natural history, should read this book. Libraries in universities should have a copy of this book for their students Dumaguete Metropost ... I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is an insightful, thorough and fascinating text based upon a lifetime of thought and hard-won data. The text is engagingly written throughout, the volume wonderfully produced and illustrated, and overall well worth the cover price. It could be set as a discussion text for students, used to generate examples for lectures, or simply read for pleasure alone. Frontiers of BiogeographyTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. The Biogeography of Diversity1. The Mammals of Luzon, 1895– 20122. Climate and Habitats3. Discovering Diversity4. Geological History and Fossil Mammals5. Producing Diversity6. Habitat Disturbance and Invasive Species7. Conservation of Luzon's Mammalian Diversity8. SynthesisPart II. Natural History of Luzon Mammals9. Large Mammals10. A Guide to the Small Mammals1: Order Soricomorpha2: Old Endemics3: Old Endemics4: New Endemic Rodents5: Non-Native Rodents11. A Guide to the Bats1: Introduction to Bats2: Family Pteropodidae3: Family Emballonuridae4: Family Megadermatidae5: Family Hipposideridae6: Family Rhinolophidae7: Family Vespertilionidae8: Family MolossidaeGlossaryLiterature CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisThis inspiring book of landscape photography from National Geographic captures the beauty of nature in all its breathtaking variations. Trade Review"One [image] more stunning than the next." --The Boston Globe"The book as a whole is like a meditation tool — pick it up, open to any page, and just simply enjoy." --Mother Nature Network"Founder of the International League of Conservation Photographers Cristina Mittermeier has been given access to National Geographic’s archive to select images depicting the awe-inspiring and beautiful forms of nature. The spectacular selection includes images by Paul Nicklen, Art Wolfe and Hans Strand, and are complemented by quotes from recognised figures connected to the natural world, including Henry David Thoreau, John Muir and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Divided into four chapters loosely linked to the four seasons, Mittermeier’s poetic text at the beginning of each section promotes preservation of our planet and its precious resources – an ethos aligned with her own life mission." --Outdoor Photography

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Book SynopsisIntricate and soothing, this elegant coloring book for adults invites creative people of all ages to dive into the colorful and complex world of animals, using the power of their own imaginations. With 50 intricate black and white illustrations, printed on perforated pages that will render them collectible, users will color and embellish the detailed wings of a dragonfly, and the intricate patterns of zebras. Armed with artist's tools, they will explore the majesty of the world's wild animals. Fans of National Geographic and newcomers to the coloring world alike will welcome this creative and relaxing journey into our natural world.

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Book SynopsisCapitalizing on this year's mega-trend in publishing, this stylish coloring book geared to adults features dazzling National Geographic-branded content: oceans.

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Book SynopsisDo snakes and salamanders fascinate you or make you squeamish? Have you ever listened closely to the birds chirping in your neighborhood? Can you identify the flowers growing in Philadelphia's urban parks? (Moreover, are the mushrooms safe to eat?) Exploring Philly Nature is amateur naturalist, urban herper,* and Grid contributor Bernard Brown's handy guide to experiencing the flora and fauna in Philly.This compact illustrated volume contains 52 activities from birding, (squirrel) fishing, and basement bug-hunting to joining a frog call survey and visiting a mussel hatchery. Brown encourages kids (as well as their parents) to connect with the natural world close to home. Each entry contains information on where and when to participate, what you will need (even if it is only patience), and tips on clubs and organizations to contact for access. The city and its environs contain a multitude of species from the lichen that grows on gravestones or trees to nocturnal animals like opossums,

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Book SynopsisThe sweetest and smallest pet ever continues her everyday adventures in this playful journal for cat lovers.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An enjoyable back-to-the land memoir. " - Library Journal"An easy read with a warm tone, like hearing from an old friend, McGaha's memoir is touching, funny, and hard to put down." - Booklist"Flat Broke with Two Goats is a funny, moving and unflinchingly honest reckoning. Reduced by desperate circumstances, Jennifer and her husband find themselves living a life that echoes the hardscrabble Appalachian ways of their grandparents. This sweet miracle of a memoir tells the story of a struggling couple who have to lose their house, and just about everything else, to find home." - Tommy Hays, author of The Pleasure Was Mine"You'll be alarmed, breathless, and ultimately charmed by "Flat Broke with Two Goats" because yes, it could happen to you..." - Terri Schlichenmeyer, Bookworm Sez"Flat Broke with Two Goats is a brave book written in beautifully unflinching detail. McGaha lays bare the flaws in her marriage, the poor choices that led them to rock bottom and how they found their way to a new definition of home." - BookPage

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Book SynopsisThe poems in Poems on Nature are divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter to reflect in verse the changes of the seasons and the passing of time.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an introduction by Helen Macdonald, author of the international bestseller, H is for Hawk.Since poetry began, there have been poems about nature; it’s a complex subject which has inspired some of the most beautiful poetry ever written. Poets from Andrew Marvell to W. B. Yeats to Emily Brontë have sought to describe the natural environment and our relationship with it. There is also a rich tradition of songs and rhymes, such as ’Scarborough Fair’, that hark back to a rural way of life which may now be lost, but is brought back to life in the lyrical verses included in this collection.Table of ContentsIntroduction - i: Introduction Unit - 1: Spring Poem - 1: ‘The year’s at the spring’ - Robert Browning Poem - 2: I so liked Spring - Charlotte Mew Poem - 3: There Will Come Soft Rains - Sara Teasdale Poem - 4: To a Snowdrop - William Wordsworth Poem - 5: February Twilight - Sara Teasdale Poem - 6: Spring - William Blake Poem - 7: Thaw - Edward Thomas Poem - 8: Spring - Christina Rossetti Poem - 9: Her Anxiety - W. B. Yeats Poem - 10: Invitation to the Country - George Meredith Poem - 11: To my Sister - William Wordsworth Poem - 12: ‘Dear March – Come In –’ - Emily Dickinson Poem - 13: The Lamb - William Blake Poem - 14: March - Anon Poem - 15: I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud - William Wordsworth Poem - 16: To Daffodils - Robert Herrick Poem - 17: Mothering Sunday - George Hare Leonard Poem - 18: I Watched a Blackbird - Thomas Hardy Poem - 19: Loveliest of trees - A. E. Houseman Poem - 20: The Cuckoo - Anon Poem - 21: The Cuckoo - Anon Poem - 22: The Woods and Banks - W. H. Davies Poem - 23: Little Trotty Wagtail - John Clare Poem - 24: Home Thoughts from Abroad - Robert Browning Poem - 25: On a Lane in Spring John Clare Poem - 26: Spring - Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem - 27: The Starlight Night - Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem - 28: Tall Nettles - Edward Thomas Poem - 29: ‘When that I was and a little tiny boy’ - William Shakespeare Poem - 30: Sonnet 98 - William Shakespeare Poem - 31: But These Things Also - Edward Thomas Poem - 32: The Argument of His Book Robert Herrick Poem - 33: The Song of Wandering Aengus - W. B. Yeats Poem - 34: A Brilliant Day - Charles Tennyson Turner Unit - 2: Summer Poem - 1: Summer - Christina Rossetti Poem - 2: The Happy Countryman - Nicholas Breton Poem - 3: A Day - Emily Dickinson Poem - 4: My Heart Leaps Up - William Wordsworth Poem - 5: The Merry Month of May - Thomas Dekker Poem - 6: ‘Sumer is icumen in’ - Anon Poem - 7: The Throstle - Alfred, Lord Tennyson Poem - 8: The Landrail - John Clare Poem - 9: The Lake Isle of Innisfree - W. B. Yeats Poem - 10: Seven Times One: Exultation - Jean Ingelow Poem - 11: This Lime-tree Bower my Prison - Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem - 12: The Cow - Robert Louis Stevenson Poem - 13: The Frog - Anon. Poem - 14: Little Fish - D. H. Lawrence Poem - 15: Heaven - Rupert Brooke Poem - 16: To Make a Prairie - Emily Dickinson Poem - 17: The Unknown Bird - Edward Thomas Poem - 18: To a Skylark - Percy Bysshe Shelley Poem - 19: Trees - Joyce Kilmer Poem - 20: The Sweet o’ the Year - George Meredith Poem - 21: Ladybird! Ladybird! - Emily Brontë Poem - 22: Daisies - Christina Rossetti Poem - 23: Where the Bee Sucks - William Shakespeare Poem - 24: The Gardener - Anon Poem - 25: The Cries of London - Anon Poem - 26: Scarborough Fair - Anon Poem - 27: from A Midsummer Night’s Dream - William Shakespeare Poem - 28: Summer Dawn - William Morris Poem - 29: Careless Rambles - John Clare Poem - 30: A Green Cornfield - Christina Rossetti Poem - 31: The Caterpillar - Christina Rossetti Poem - 32: To a Butterfly - William Wordsworth Poem - 33: Adlestrop - Edward Thomas Poem - 34: Fly Away, Fly Away Over the Sea - Christina Rossetti Poem - 35: Epitaph on a Hare - William Cowper Poem - 36: A London Plane-Tree - Amy Levy Poem - 37: In the Fields - Charlotte Mew Poem - 38: Meeting at Night - Robert Browning Unit - 3: Autumn Poem - 1: To Autumn - John Keats Poem - 2: Leisure - W. H. Davies Poem - 3: from Give me the Splendid, Silent Sun - Walt Whitman Poem - 4: Pied Beauty - Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem - 5: The Glory - Edward Thomas Poem - 6: The Rainy Day - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Poem - 7: Autumn Rain - D. H. Lawrence Poem - 8: Digging - Edward Thomas Poem - 9: Autumn Fires - Robert Louis Stevenson Poem - 10: Now is the Time for the Burning of the Leaves - Laurence Binyon Poem - 11: Moonlit Apples - John Drinkwater Poem - 12: The Lane - Edward Thomas Poem - 13: The Wild Swans at Coole - W. B. Yeats Poem - 14: ‘Western wind, when wilt thou blow?’ - Anon. Poem - 15: Who Has Seen the Wind? - Christina Rossetti Poem - 16: from The Garden - Andrew Marvell Poem - 17: Autumn Birds - John Clare Poem - 18: The Windhover - Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem - 19: The Owl - Alfred, Lord Tennyson Poem - 20: Sweet Suffolke Owle - Anon Poem - 21: Rural Evening - Lord De Tabley Poem - 22: The Hayloft - Robert Louis Stevenson Poem - 23: The Solitary Reaper - William Wordsworth Poem - 24: To a Squirrel at Kyle-Na-No- W. B. Yeats Poem - 25: The Way through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling Poem - 26: The Fisherman’s Wife - Amy Lowell Poem - 27: Sign of the Times - Paul Laurence Dunbar Poem - 28: Fall, Leaves, Fall - Emily Brontë Poem - 29: Pleasant Sounds - John Clare Poem - 30: A Noiseless, Patient Spider - Walt Whitman Poem - 31: Something Told the Wild Geese - Rachel Field Unit - 4: Winter Poem - 1: To a Mouse - Robert Burns Poem - 2: Spellbound - Emily Brontë Poem - 3: Winter-Time - Robert Louis Stevenson Poem - 4: Winter - Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem - 5: A Winter Night - William Barnes Poem - 6: Snow Storm - John Clare Poem - 7: No! - Thomas Hood Poem - 8: Sheep in Winter - John Clare Poem - 9: Snow - Edward Thomas Poem - 10: Out in the Dark - Edward Thomas Poem - 11: The Fallow Deer at the Lonely House - Thomas Hardy Poem - 12: from As You Like It - William Shakespeare Poem - 13: A Winter Bluejay - Sara Teasdale Poem - 14: Birds at Winter Nightfall - Thomas Hardy Poem - 15: The Darkling Thrush - Thomas Hardy Poem - 16: Little Robin Redbreast - Anon. Poem - 17: Frost at Midnight - Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem - 18: Up in the Morning Early - Robert Burns Poem - 19: In Tenebris - Ford Madox Ford Poem - 20: The Holly and the Ivy - Anon. Poem - 21: The First Tree in the Greenwood - Anon. Poem - 22: The Oxen - Thomas Hardy Index - ii: Index of Poets Index - iii: Index of Titles Index - iv: Index of First Lines

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Book Synopsis A delightfully quirky, cute, and funny guide to horoscopes told through adorable dog photographs. With the help of a collection of sweet and hilarious dog pictures, Dogstrology will unlock all the secrets of the stars that you need to know, including: Each of the signs at their best and worst (and the perfect pup to illustrate them) The common traits of each element and modality in the zodiac What do you and your "sister sign" have in common? Find out, with the perfect dog photo to complement it. And of course: the right dog for you, based on your star sign!

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated and comprehensive work is equally of use to botanists, foresters, horticulturists, and amateur naturalists. Kershaw and Hamilton have crafted 146 accounts describing 213 species, encompassing all native and naturalized trees and tall shrubs in the state.

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Book SynopsisA guidebook for a general audience describing approximately 126 species of mammals native to Colorado. Each mammal is described within a Species Account, including common and scientific name, physical description, size, habitat, distribution, field notes, legal status, and photographs. Includes sidebars highlighting interesting information about mammal biology, life history, and behavior. The book includes a glossary, index, and checklists.Trade Review"Colorado naturalist Young has published several books on Colorado and regional wildlife. She has written this well-organized field guide to the state's mammals for 'casual naturalists, outdoor recreationists, families, Colorado vacationers, and anyone desiring a general overview.' Quick identification is a major virtue, facilitated by pages color coded by family. Designed for heavy use, the volume offers descriptions of all 129 species known to have inhabited the state, including three (bison, grizzly bear, and gray wolf) no longer found in the wild. All entries include the following sections: 'Field ID,' 'Size,' 'Habitat,' 'Distribution,' 'Field Notes,' and 'Legal Status.' Color photos, limited to one per species, have been chosen less for photographic merit than for illustrating key differentiation factors. Many, however, add genuine photo interest and appeal. Range maps are provided for each species, and numerous sidebars give additional life histories. Appendixes add further value: a list of two bats and a flying squirrel rarely confirmed in the state; suggestions on observation ethics; where to see Colorado mammals; a checklist of species and dental formulas for each; and tips for identifying mammal skulls found in the field. A glossary supports the text. A solid bet for state and regional libraries. Summing Up: Recommended." --CHOICE

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Book SynopsisThe product of fifteen years of work by top herpetologists, this book is a comprehensive examination of the amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas, featuring over 136 species and subspecies. With over five hundred four-color photos, line drawings, and over one hundred maps, this user-friendly book will become the definitive text on the subject.Trade ReviewA most important benchmark. . . . One hopes that authors and publishers . . . will not attempt to copy the book, but instead will use it as a baseline example to stimulate their own creativity and writing style." —The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society"This is a stunning and wonderful contribution to the natural history of Arkansas, crammed with information and spectacular photography. The authors bring together their extensive knowledge of different groups and meld them in a way that ensures that The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas will be a lasting and frequently used compendium." —Joseph T. Collins, director of Center for North American Herpetology, Wildlife Author Laureate of Kansas"Has raised the bar for other state amphibian and reptile books. . . . This is the new benchmark." —Herpetological Review"This book is obviously a labor of love. . . . The authors have done an excellent job. The text is well written, and the photographs and illustrations are superb. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas is an essential addition to the library of any herpetologist, and will be accepted eagerly by the scientific community." —James Dixon, professor emeritus at Texas A & M University and author of Texas Snakes and Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas"Highly recommended." —Southeastern Naturalist

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Book SynopsisIn the West, humans tend to separate themselves from nature, valuing nature only as a means of meeting their own needs and happiness. This domination of nature often fosters human oppression instead of freedom and progress, as those who ignore abuses of nature tend to disregard human injustice as well. Peter S. Wenz argues that this oppression involves such destructive forces as sexism, ethnic strife, and political repression, including repression of the nuclear power industry's victims. Catastrophes like the Holocaust and the Gulf War are the result. In contrast to the destructive "separate from nature" attitude, Wenz looks to various indigenous peoples as an example of societies where human beings revere nature for itself - societies where human beings flourish as individuals, in families, and in communities. Unlike societies dependent on commerce and industry, many indigenous peoples consider themselves part of a circle of life, reaping benefits far greater than the technological advances of the West. Wenz considers how to adopt the perspective of some indigenous cultures and how to make it work in our fast-food world. Additionally, he uses a trip to the World Uranium Hearings in Salzburg as a vehicle for understanding complex philosophical issues from consumerism to anthropocentrism. Author note: Peter S. Wenz, Professor of Philosophy and Legal Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is the author of Environmental Justice, Abortion Rights as Religious Freedom (Temple), and co-editor with Laura Westra of Faces of Environmental Racism.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Flying on Faith * A Call to Hear * People against Nature * An Indigenous Perspective * The Paradoxical Thesis * The Intellectual Journey 1. Our Christian Heritage Plague and Passion Play * Anthropocentrism and Original Sin * Insecurity Breeds Concentration of Power * Medieval Repression of People * Secularizing Jeopardy and Power * The Separation of Mind from Body 2. Commercialism The Five-Part Pattern in Commercialism * Comparative Advantage and the Promised Future 3. Industrialism Standardization and Centralization * Industrialism and Commercialism * The Industrial Revolution, Colonialism, and Slavery * Faith in Progress * Class Stratification * Skepticism about Darwin's Theory * The Industrial Evolutionary Theory * Social Darwinism's Justification of Inequality * Sociobiology and the Subordination of Women * Suppressing Individuality 4. Nationalism, Bureaucracy, and the Holocaust The Importance of Government * The Importance of Nationalism * Dachau and Anti-Semitism * The Inadequacy of Hate * The Nature of Bureaucracy * The Importance of Bureaucracy * Moral Progress * Departure 5. Nuclear Power and Radiation Exposure The Hearing Begins * Dangers of Radiation * Uranium Miners * Uranium Mining as a Radiation Pump * Impact on Indigenous Communities * Creating Radioactivity * International Conspiracy * The Politics of Nuclear Waste * Unjust Distribution of Risks 6. Nuclear Power and Human Oppression Government Subsidies and Financial Failures * Borrowing from Future Generations * The Scarcity of Uranium * Plutonium as a Military Threat * The Global Warming Rationale * The Gulf War * Rejecting Responsibility 7. Indigenous Peace and Prosperity Why Discuss Indigenous Cultures? * Stateless, Egalitarian Indigenous People * Statelessness and Violence * Food Abundance and Population Control * Poverty and Exchange * Industrial Poverty 8. Indigenous World Views Natural Sufficiency and Cyclical Time * Meaning, Security, and Individualism * Rootedness and the Expansion of Society * The Noncommercial and Sacred * Indigenous World Views Are Nature-Friendly 9. Implications Promoting Change * Family Values * Crime, Pornography, Drug Abuse, and the Work Ethic * Creating Jeopardy Is Good Business * Rejecting Utopian Thinking * Invention Is the Mother of Necessity * New Faith and Values 10. Practical Suggestions An Alternative Politics * Agriculture * International Trade * Transportation * Energy, Equity, and Population Control * Living with Nature The Flight Home Smoke in the Cabin * Choosing What to Believe * Denial Sources Index

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Book SynopsisWant to walk for a leisurely hour or two with the kids? Take them to the Churchville Nature Center, with its re-created Lenape Indian village and children's exhibits. Or would you prefer a more strenuous all-day hike? Try the rocky woods trail at Bake Oven Knob, Bear Rocks, and The Cliffs. Or if you're interested in wildlife, hike Green Lane Reservoir where 260 species of birds have been sighted. Perhaps you'd simply like to hike from Pennsylvania to Delaware and back again. Then White Clay Creek Preserve is for you. These are only five of the forty hiking trails described in Hikes Around Philadelphia. All are within an hour and a half's drive of the city. Ranging from 1.0 to 12.6 miles in length, they will take you through dense forests or wide-open meadows, past early farmsteads or a ringing boulder field from the last ice age. You can break your hike with a visit to a restored home or leave civilization behind on an isolated mountain ridge. Some of the trails are gravel or paved, or are canal towpaths, and are quite suitable for young children, older adults, or wheelchair hikers. Others are longer and more challenging, including rugged sections of the Appalachian Trail and the Horseshoe Trail. For each hike Boyd Newman and Linda Newman provide a detailed write-up, a trail map showing the hike route on a USGS survey map, and directions to the trailhead. They also include information on distance, elevation, probable time, surface, interesting features, facililities, disability access, whether hunting is allowed in the vicinity, and availability to public transportation. This format allows you to browse through the book and easily locate the particular hike that appeals to you today. In a concise introduction, the authors not only explain how to get the most out of the book but also give some hints on hiking safety and appropriate clothing and equipment. This handy reference offers: *a detailed write-up of each hike *easy-to-read trail maps *directions to the trail heads *information that are accessible by public transportation *details about handicap accessibility *lots of other pointers that make planned or last-minute hikes fun and easy for everyoneTable of ContentsLocator Map Introduction Hikes 1. Heinz Wildlife Refuge 2. Scott Arboretum 3. Springfield Trail 4. Leiper-Smedley Trail 5. Tyler Arboretum 6. Ridley Creek 7. Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 8. Andorra natural Area 9. Wissahickon Gorge 10. Lorimer Park 11. Pennypack Wilderness 12. Neshaminy Park 13. Delhaas Woods and Silver Lake 14. Churchville Nature Center 15. Five-Mile Woods Preserve 16. Tyler State Park 17. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 18. Skippack Creek 19. Betzville Railroad Grade-Schuylkill River Trail 20. Valley Forge 21. Struble Trail 22. White Clay Creek Preserve 23. Nottingham Serpentine Barrens 24. French Creek 25. Hopewell Village and Baptism Creek 26. Nolde Forest 27. Daniel Boone Homestead 28. Green Lane Reservoir 29. Peace Valley 30. Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve 31. Tohickon Valley 32. Lake Nockamixon 33. Old Dry Road Farm 34. Ringing Rocks 35. Delaware Canal Towpath 36. Jacobsburg Settlement 37. Bake Oven Knob, Bear Rocks, and the Cliffs 38. The Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock 39. Blue Mountain and Phillips Canyon 40. Sand Spring-Tom Lowe Trail Appendices A. Hikes by Length B. Hikes by Disability Access C. Hike Map Index D. Hikes Near Public Transportation

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Book SynopsisThe Philadelphia Area Weather Book answers all of our questions about the region's weather and climate, from the Poconos and Philadelphia to southern New Jersey and the Jersey Shore to Delaware. The snowiest winter? The hottest summer? The strongest tornado? Signs of global warming? Why can't computers give reliable two-week forecasts? The answers are all here in this new paperback.Offering a little-known history of the region's pivotal role in the development of weather science as far back as colonial times, The Philadelphia Area Weather Book gives a lively account of what forecasters actually do on a daily basis.Features include: * "Stories from the Trenches": inside stories of forecasting the big storms; a look back with Philadelphia's television pioneers Wally Kinnan, Dr. Francis Davis, and Herb Clarke; and a glimpse at the possibilities for the future climate of our area *More than 150 illustrations (including 60 photographs, 54 maps, dozens of diagrams, and a 16-page color section): ranging from the first photographic image of lightning to local residents' photos of the Blizzard of '96 and Hurricane Floyd; from the dynamics of air masses to eroding shore lines and global warming trends * Weather tables: statistics for every day of the year, monthly averages as well as temperature and precipitation extremes for Philadelphia, Wilmington, Allentown, and Atlantic City * Lists of web resources organized by topic so that readers can follow current weather events using the same sites as the experts do.Trade Review"When it comes to Philadelphia weather, Jon Nese and Glenn 'Hurricane' Schwartz know what's going on. Now, you can get the best of their knowledge about your weather in a clear, concise, fun book."—Al Roker, NBC's Today Show"Jon Nese and Glenn Schwartz have put together extensive information regarding weather in the Philadelphia area. Rather than just compiling a book of statistics, they have crafted a fascinating book full of stories going far beyond the seasonal variations in the local weather. Their book is sure to be of interest to Philadelphia residents and will serve as an invaluable source of reference material for teachers, the media, emergency managers, and others with an interest in the history of meteorology."—Dr. Greg Forbes, Severe Weather Expert, The Weather Channel"It offers readers insight into the region's seasonal, and quite changeable, weather conditions, the history of weather observation in the area and a slew of fun facts."—Bucks County Courier Times"That synergy between science and entertainment is evident throughout the book. Structured with the rich details of a meteorology primer and the thumbnail sketches of an almanac, this compulsively readable volume also functions as a cultural history of the forecasters and storms embedded in our memories."—Mayfair News"...an outstanding job describing and explaining, in layman's terms, the wide variety of weather phenomenon that affect the city of Philadelphia and its environs."—The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, November 2004"[A] great reference tool for any weather-crazed Philadelphian."—The Philadelphia Evening BulletinTable of ContentsForeword – Edward G. RendellPrefaceAcknowledgments1. History of Weather Science and Observing in the Philadelphia AreaObservations: It all Starts Here • The Modern National Weather Service2. Basics of Weather and Weather ForecastingFrom Folklore to Fundamentals • Basic Building Blocks of Weather and Climate • General Climate Features of the Philadelphia Area • Weather Forecasting3. Winter: December–January–FebruaryTough Forecasting on the Edge • Winter Cold • Winter Snow • Historical Winters4. Spring: March–April–MayFrom Winter to Spring • Nor'easters • Thunderstorms • Tornadoes • River Flooding • Looking Ahead: glimpses of Summer in Spring5. Summer: June–July–AugustHeat and Humidity • Summer Precipitation: Drenching Ran and Drought • Air Pollution • The Shore6. Autumn: September–October–NovemberAutumn: Season of Stability • Hurricanes: The Greatest Storms on Earth • Hurricane Dangers • Hurricane Forecasting • Philadelphia and Coastal Vulnerability • Historical Delaware Valley and Shore Hurricanes • A Philadelphia-area Nightmare Hurricane Scenario • Looking Ahead: Signs of What Is to Come7. Philadelphia's Future ClimateFuture Climate: Months and Season; Future Climate: Years and Decades (and Longer)EpilogueAppendix A: Philadelphia Daily and Monthly Climate DataAppendix B: Climate Data for Wilmington, Delaware; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Atlantic City, New JerseyNotesBibliographyAdditional Web ResourcesList of IllustrationsList of TablesIndex

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Book SynopsisWe tend to think of cities as a realm apart, somehow separate from nature, but nothing could be further from the truth. In Feral Cities, Tristan Donovan digsbelow the urban gloss to uncover the wild creatures that we share our streets and homes with, and profiles the brave and fascinating people who try to manage them. Along the way readers will meet the wall-eating snails that are invading Miami, the boars that roam Berlin, and the monkey gangs of Cape Town. From feral chickens and carpet-roaming bugs to coyotes hanging out in sandwich shops and birds crashing into skyscrapers, Feral Cities takes readers on a journey through streets and neighborhoods that are far more alive than we often realize, shows how animals are adjusting to urban living, and asks what messages the wildlife in our metropolises have for us.Trade Review"An entertaining jaunt through city wildlife." Kirkus Reviews"Donovan not only shows readers how territorial boundaries between humans and wild animals constantly shift, but also how such encounters with birds, coyotes, and snakes should come as no great surprise." Publishers Weekly"Surprising, entertaining, sometimes frightening, Donovan's worldwide exploration of urban wildlife will be enjoyed by all types of readers including young adults, animal lovers, and those interested in ecology." Library Journal"In Feral Cities , journalist Tristan Donovan explores the conflict zone of cities and wild animals, and he seems to have a good time doing it." Science News"Donovan entertainingly exposes ecological experiments gone hopelessly awry and offers thoughtful input on how such tipping points can be avoided in the future." Booklist"Even those of us who have intensely studied urban wildlife for decades can learn a bit from some of Donovan's many sources, and Donovan can be praised for drawing out nuggets of information and perspective from sources who by reputation tend to be reticent." Animals 24-7" This interdisciplinary understanding of the issue is certainly apparent in the excellent Feral Cities . Although not an analytical, scientific text, the book provides a unique look into the lives of both urban wildlife and its human counterpart. For anyone interested in any of the many aspects of urban wildlife, Feral Cities will be a vastly entertaining read." The Nature of Cities"Wild creatures are having a people problem these days, and Donovan takes us on a global frolic to find all sorts of untamed critters and de-natured people cohabiting badly." Jim Sterba, author of Nature Wars and Frankie's Place

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Book SynopsisHovering, gliding, diving -- how do birds do it? BIRDS: NATURE''S MAGNIFICENT FLYING MACHINES looks at how feathers, body structure, and wings vary from bird to bird. Readers will learn the mechanics of bird flight from takeoff to landing and discover how wing types meet the survival needs of each species. Popular science writer Caroline Arnold infuses this informative look at avian flight with her love of birds. Patricia J. Wynne''s exquisitely detailed illustrations show these amazing creatures in action.

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Book SynopsisOver the past 150 years, communities have focused their attention on enhancing quality of life, health and wellness, and the greening of their environments through the provision of park and recreation services and amenities. The greening and beautification of communities as well as tying recreation services to clean economic development provide a direct connection between the work public park and recreation departments and community development. This text asks students to consider important questions, such as: What are the most important elements of a livable community? In what type of community they would like to live? How important are building social connections amongst family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others? How are such relationships developed and sustained? What types of organizations are more likely to create such opportunities for building ones social capital? What agencies in the community are concerned with addressing environmental degradation and on the flipside enhancing community beautification and greening? All of these questions point toward the importance of public parks and recreation and its community development efforts. Community Parks & Recreation: An Introduction is organized into three major parts. Part I focuses on the History and Philosophical Foundations of Public Parks and Recreation. The major intent of this section is to provide an underpinning to assist the student in understanding the major dimensions of public parks and recreation and its impact socially, culturally, environmentally and economically. Part II of the book focuses on Managerial and Administrative Aspects of Park and Recreation Systems. This section of the book provides practical strategies for administrative activities, planning, marketing, budgeting, engaging the public and land acquisition. Part III of the book is focused on The Public Sector Service Provision in Parks and Recreation. This section of the book focuses on program and service delivery including chapters dealing with programming for community recreation, youth programming, programming for adults and seniors, programming special events and community-based therapeutic recreation. The authors of this text all share a deep interest in community, parks, and/or recreation services. At various times in their careers, they have have served as playground leaders, recreation specialists, youth leaders, community therapeutic recreation specialists, recreation center directors, recreation supervisors and/or directors of parks and recreation. The authors hold a strong commitment to community parks and recreation that is clearly reflected in this new text.

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Book SynopsisIn Wild Comfort: The Solace of Nature, Kathleen Dean Moore explores the intricate connections between human emotions and the natural world. Through lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Moore reflects on themes of grief, solace, and the cyclical nature of life, inviting readers to find comfort and healing in the wild. Turning to the comfort of the wild in an effort to make sense of the deaths of several loved ones, her narrative weaves personal reflections with experiences in diverse landscapes—from the Oregon wilderness to the Sea of Cortez—illustrating how nature can be a refuge for the human spirit amid life’s inevitable challenges.Readers will discover the transformative power of mindfulness and presence as Moore delves into the complexities of human emotions. Her insight into the beauty and resilience of the natural world encourages a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. The book invites readers to embrace both joy and sorrow, recognizing that moments of beauty can emerge from darkness, and that nature offers a path to understanding and acceptance. Wild Comfort is a celebration of life’s fleeting yet beautiful moments, perfect for those seeking solace in nature’s embrace. Moore’s philosophical musings provide a compelling reminder of the enduring strength found in the natural world. This book is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the wild, making it an essential read for anyone looking to find peace and meaning amid life’s complexities.

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