Wild Earth

Author's Bio:

Tom Butler is editor of Wild Earth and director of education and advocacy for The Wildlands Project. A professional conservationist, he has worked extensively on the ecological restoration of northern forests. He lives in Huntington, Vermont.

Quotes:

“Bringing together the writings of scientists, activists, and writers, this book contains some of the most provacative articles from the conservation journal Wild Earth.”——ISLE Recent Books

“Radical visions bloom like spidery wild orchids. . . essays manage to surprise and delight.” —Washington Post Book World

"From the lively pages of Wild Earth magazine, here is the best of ten years of fresh, bold thinking. These spirited writings represent many of the leading voices in the now widespread conservation biology movement. Challenging outdated views, these bright thinkers serve as beacons along the path to whole and healthy ecosystems. As standard bearers for ecological integrity, they base land and species protection on the most comprehensive science. These essays offer a“whole landscape of the heart”as the best antidote to runaway commodification of our natural communitiies. This book is a must read for all students of land conservation, beginning or advanced. It is“good work”in the truest sense, honoring Wild Earth's deep commitment to dialogue, action, and revolutionary insight” —Stephanie Kaza, University of Vermont

“To take up these topics requires reconsidering the place of humans in the world. Many people just won't go in for such radical thinking.... Provoking readers to think outside the box, when it comes to conservation.... Wild Earth is a compelling read.” --Meleah Maynard, RAIN TAXI

"In Wild Earth I've consistently found a realistic positive vision backed up with a solid scientific grounding. Wild Earth's vision encompasses the big picture. It is not into denial of the future, in an ad hoc approach to the currently most popular problem. The well-chosen excerpts collated in this book are a thought-provoking read. They represent the cutting edge of ecothinking. Bravo!" —Bernd Heinrich, author of Ravens in Winter and Racing the Antelope.

“A collection of essays from the first 10 years of Wild Earth. It is unlike anything being published about the environment today. If you are looking for a thoughtful, outside-the-box discussion on the ethical debate on whether we treat the natural world as a commodity or a community, this is as good as it gets. But beware, this is not your typical collection of environmental proposals.... In all, 38 contributors combine to present as foresighted, controversial and stimulating a discussion on the future of our environment as one can find in one volume. An excellent offering by a first rate publisher.” —Mike Nobles, Tulsa World

“Although the book serves as a platform for advocacy, several authors appear to present alternative conservation arguments fairly. Scientific themes of evolution, extinction, the interconnectedness of organisms, and the complexity of ecosystems are visited frequently throughout the book and are portrayed accurately, if not comprehensively.” —Mike Larson, Science Books & Films

“These superbly written essays . . . reflect a type of naturalism that values the world as it is —in all its “green grit' and without reference to supernatural beings —but shares the lamentation and sense of insult expressed by those who prefer to speak in terms of God or otherworldly forces.... If biological diversity has a future, the way forward is written in the pages of this fine book.” —Paul Wapner, Tikkun