When I became a National Audubon board member, CEO David Yarnold energized all of us with the understanding that where birds thrive, people prosper. We need to roll up our sleeves and get to work addressing climate change, bird-friendly backyards, and the education of our youth. I am particularly grateful for the personal contributions to this book by staff members Chandra Taylor Smith, David Ringer, Peg Olsen, Mark Jannot, Kimberly Keller, Gary Langham, John Beavers, and John Myers.
In Nova Scotia, my birding gurus include Sylvia Fullerton, the late David Young, Ian McLaren, Eric Mills, David Currie, Ted D’Eon, and Ron and Alix D’Entremont. Led by Sue Abbott of Bird Studies Canada, Christine Curry and I have spent many happy hours guarding Piping Plovers on the south shore, while Julie Balish and I have combed beaches and woods for natural objects for her art and birds for my heart. Other friends in Nova Scotia who have been unstinting in their spiritual support include Sonja and Leo Fourdraine, Mike Balish, Cheryl Graul, and Janice Fiske and her husband, Dean, who first took me birding there when he was not at sea harvesting shellfish.
I am grateful to Ethel and John Andrews, who gave me a room in their home in one of Newfoundland’s last outports, and to Cynthia Thomas, who invited Ed and me to visit her in Belize and later in Thailand. Thanks go also to Phil Wallis of Pennsylvania’s Audubon Society, who made it possible for me to see the extent of fracking in that state, and to the late Victor Perera, for introducing me to Mexico’s Lacandon people and Guatemala.
Thomas Kaplan founded Panthera to save the large cats of the world and I gratefully accepted his invitation to be on its Conservation Council. George Fenwick likewise asked me in the 1990s to join the board of the newly formed American Bird Conservancy, which has been a beacon of strategic thinking. Michael Crowther, director of the Indianapolis Zoo, founded the prestigious Indianapolis Prize to honor field biologists, asking me to participate from its inception.
Lucy Waletsky was an extraordinary chairman of the Taconic Region Commission of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation when I served as a commissioner. She has made high art of her philanthropy, generously giving to countless worthy organizations and enlightening politicians about protection of the environment.
I salute the artists who tell the stories of the natural world through performance, literature, and visual art. Nick Brandt’s art photographs of African mammals command immediate attention in the galleries where they are displayed. Conservation photographer Joan de la Malla captures the story in a single shot. Steve Winter creates stunning portraits of wild animals and his partner Sharon Guynup writes passionately about them, while composer Steve Heitzeg creates music of the spheres.
There would be no book without the scientists who have been good enough to talk with me or to suffer my presence in the field. Russell Mittermeier sent me glorious books including his own huge compendium of lemurs. Patricia Wright showed the lemurs to me in Madagascar. Carl Safina wrote of the vast water world we inhabit and the intelligence of Earth’s creatures. Tom Lovejoy’s persistent political savvy has changed minds. Bruce Beehler opened up the world of Papua New Guinea to me; his enthusiasm for the Birds-of-Paradise was contagious, as was Lisa Dabek’s for her beloved Tree Kangaroos. Tino Accau revealed his native Peru to me, as Hishey Tshering did Bhutan. Shelley LeBlanc and Brian Johnson taught me about farming fish, and epidemiologist Frederica Perera taught me about the harm chemicals can do to our bodies.
The lives of Cougars, Jaguars, and Siberian Tigers were illuminated for me by Howard Quigley, as were Lions by Luke Hunter. George Archibald, a Nova Scotian by birth as I am by heritage, became a lifelong friend. His compassion, his love of all things living, and his indefatigable optimism have been embedded in my soul.
We all come home, if only in our thoughts. My brother, Tom Quigley, and my sister, Pam Stocker, share my memories of our father taking us on camping trips across the country and every New Years’ Day making us hike a mountain or big hill to start the year with a sense of accomplishment, and of our mother, who brought the little things in the air, soil, and sea to our attention.
My dearest friends, Jane Milliken, Susan Dowling Griffiths, Amelia Dallenbach, Gretchen Dow Simpson, Clare Weaver, Tina Howe, Hope Cooke, her daughter Hope Leezum, Anne Bell, Bardyl Tirana, and the late Susan Sollins have been there for me for as long as I can remember. Jane read part of the book early on and enthusiastically endorsed it, as did Diane Sullivan and my daughter-in-law, novelist Genévieve Mathis, whose cogent notes were particularly helpful.
My stepson, documentary filmmaker Anthony Sherin, was invaluable with the photographs, while my stepson Jonathan Sherin trekked beaches for shorebirds with me. My son, Jace Alexander, and his wife, Maddie Corman, were there for me when I needed time or a hug.
It is my grandchildren that make me feel most appreciative. Children expect the world of us, and although we are giving them a damaged globe they continue forward with enthusiasm and faith. Evan Sherin-Jones helped me with early research on the book, Hazel Sherin gave me a thumbs-up, Isabelle Alexander and Vita Sherin-Jones made every moment of our trip to Galápagos joyful, and twins Mac and Finn Alexander delight me every day with their discoveries. They will change the world.
Every day my world is changed by the thoughtfulness of my husband, Ed Sherin.
Appendix
The following list of organizations involved with the protection and conservation of wild things and wild places is by no means comprehensive. They happen to be favorites of mine, whose goals, principles, and missions I wholeheartedly support and are quoted below. Subscribing to one or more of these organizations expands an individual’s power, knowledge, and efficacy in the world of conservation. Being part of a huge community, making positive changes for Earth and its inhabitants, is deeply rewarding.
ABA: “The American Birding Association inspires all people to enjoy and protect wild birds.”
ABC: The American Bird Conservancy “is dedicated to achieving conservation results for birds of the Americas.”
Amazon Watch “was founded in 1996 to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous people in the Amazon Basin.”
Audubon Society: The National Audubon Society’s mission is “to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”
There are 460 local Audubon chapters across the United States with similar missions.
BirdLife International “is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 119 BirdLife Partners worldwide from 117 country/territories. We are driven by our belief that local people working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through our global Partnership are the key to sustaining all life on this planet. This unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.”
Center for Biological Diversity: “We believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature—to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive….We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.”
Centre ValBio, at Stony Brook University, “was created by Professor Patricia Wright in 2003 to help both indigenous people and the international community better understand the value of conservation in Madagascar and around the world.”
CITES: “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.”
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: “W
e use science to understand the world, to find new ways to make conservation work, and to involve people who share our passion.”
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust “is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.”
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wildlife Park, and the Durrell Foundation are leaders in “saving species from extinction.”
Earthjustice: “We exist because the earth needs a good lawyer.”
Ecojustice: “Canadians on the frontlines of the fight for environmental justice…We launch groundbreaking lawsuits that level the playing field so industry interests can’t trump those of people and the planet.”
Ecology Action Centre: “A society in Nova Scotia that respects and protects nature and provides environmentally and economically sustainable solutions for its citizens.”
Friends of the Earth “strives for a more healthy and just world…We are one of 75 national member groups of Friends of the Earth International, a global network representing more than two million activists in 73 countries.”
Greenpeace: “Our investigations expose environmental crimes and the people, companies and governments that need to be held responsible…We have the courage to take action and stand up for our beliefs.”
Indianapolis Prize “is the largest individual monetary award given for animal conservation in the world and is one of the ways the Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation.”
International Conservation Fund of Canada “conserves nature in the tropics and other priority areas worldwide.”
International Crane Foundation “works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds and flyways on which they depend.”
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature “is driven by two features today: Global production and consumption patterns are destroying our life support system—nature—at persistent and dangerously high rates.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has assessed about eighty thousand species of flora and fauna to date from “Least Concern” to “Critically Endangered.”
National Geographic Society “has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888.”
NRDC: The Natural Resources Defense Council “works on a broad range of issues as we pursue our mission to safeguard the Earth; its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. As an institution we have six main priorities: curbing global warming and creating the clean energy future; reviving the world’s oceans; defending endangered wildlife and wild places; protecting our health by preventing pollution; ensuring safe and sufficient water; fostering sustainable communities.”
Nature Conservancy: “The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.”
Nova Scotia Nature Trust “protects Nova Scotia’s outstanding natural legacy through land conservation.”
Oceana “is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale.”
Panthera: Panthera’s “mission is to ensure a future for wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend.”
Rainforest Trust: Founded by the ornithologist Robert Ridgely, the Rainforest Trust “protects threatened tropical forest and endangered wildlife by partnering with local and community organizations in and around the areas that are being threatened. After we purchase acres of endangered land, we empower local people to help protect it by offering them education, training and employment.”
RARE “focuses on bright spots in conservation…to turn local change into global impact…by inspiring communities to take pride in their natural resources.”
Riverkeeper: “Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and safeguard the drinking water of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents.”
Safina Center: The center was founded by Carl Safina, and its mission “is to inspire a deeper connection with nature and the motivation to act. We do that by bridging science, literature and film…We prompt people to make better personal choices, support smart policy change and create innovative, practical solutions that advance global conservation efforts.”
Save the Elephants: The organization was founded in 1993 by Iain Douglas-Hamilton, and its mission is “to secure a future for elephants and sustain the beauty and ecological integrity of the places they live, to promote man’s delight in their intelligence and the diversity of their world, and to develop a tolerant relationship between the two species.”
Sierra Club: “Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization—with more than two million members and supporters. Our successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.”
Snow Leopard Conservancy: “Ensuring Snow Leopard survival and conserving mountain landscapes by expanding environmental awareness and sharing innovative practices through community stewardship and partnerships.”
Traffic: Traffic’s mission “is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.” It does this in part by “investigating and analysing wildlife trade trends, patterns, impacts and drivers to provide the leading knowledge base on trade in wild animals and plants.”
Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program: Founded by Lisa Dabek and housed at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, the TKCP “fosters wildlife and habitat conservation and supports community livelihoods in Papua New Guinea.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The USFWS is a bureau within the Department of the Interior, whose mission is “to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”
Wild Foundation “advances a reciprocal, balanced relationship between people and nature—our Nature Needs Half vision.”
WildAid: WildAid’s mission is “to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. We envision a world where people no longer buy products such as shark fin, elephant ivory and rhino horn…WildAid works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products by persuading consumers and strengthening enforcement…When the buying stops the killing can too.”
Wildlife Conservation Society: “WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature.”
Bibliography
Below is a selective list of books about wild things and wild places. The authors have informed, captivated, and moved me with their writing.
I could also say the same about the myriad poems, novels, nature magazines, field guides, films, photographs, and TV series that enlighten and inspire me daily, but any list would be far too long to include here. Suffice it to say, I never miss issues of National Geographic, Audubon, and Cornell Lab’s Living Bird magazines. The photos alone are worth attention. Online I read Scientific American, Nature, and PLOS One to see what is going on in the world of science. And I am indebted to all the remarkable men and women who are blogging about fascinating subjects.
Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire, McGraw-Hill, 1968
Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, The Elephant Whisperer, St. Martin’s Press, 2009
Kamal Bawa and Sandesh Kadur, Himalaya: Mountains of Life, Ashoka Trust, 2013
Carol Beckwith (photographs) and Tepilit Ole Saitoti (text), Maasai, Abrams, 1980
William Beebe, Galápagos: World’s End, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1924
Bruce M. Beehler, Lost Worlds, Yale University Press, 2008
Gertrude Blom: Bearing Witness, Alex Harris and Margaret Sartor, eds., Center for Documentary Photography, Duke University, 1984
Lester R. Brown,
Plan B 4.0, Norton, 2009
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, Houghton Mifflin, 1962
Bryan Christy, The Lizard King, Twelve, 2008
William Conway, Act III in Patagonia, Island Press, 2005
Jacques-Yves Cousteau with Frédéric Dumas, Silent World, Harper, 1953
Wade Davis, The Wayfinders, House of Anansi Press, Massey lectures, 2009
Jared Diamond, The Third Chimpanzee, HarperCollins, 1992
Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, HarperCollins, 1974
Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Oria Douglas-Hamilton, Among the Elephants, Viking Press, 1975
Sylvia Earle, The World Is Blue, National Geographic Society, 2009
Richard Ellis, Tiger Bone and Rhino Horn, Island Press, 2005
Dian Fossey, Gorillas in the Mist, Houghton Mifflin, 1983
Jane Goodall, In the Shadow of Man, Houghton Mifflin, 1971
Fred Guterl, The Fate of the Species, Bloomsbury, 2012
Phillip Hoose, Moonbird, Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012
Joshua Horwitz, War of the Whales, Simon & Schuster, 2014
Joe Kane, Savages, Vintage, 1996
William B. Karesh, Appointment at the Ends of the World, Warner Books, 1999
Kenn Kaufman, Kingbird Highway, Houghton Mifflin, 2006
Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Henry Holt, 2014
Mark Kurlansky, Cod, Walker and Co., 1997; The Last Fish Tale, Ballantine Books, 2008
Tim Laman and Edwin Scholes, Birds of Paradise, National Geographic Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2012
Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin, The Sixth Extinction: Biodiversity and Its Survival, Doubleday, 1995
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, Oxford University Press, 1949
Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2005
Wild Things, Wild Places Page 30
