Books for the Natural Curiosity in All of Us

Our expert staff is a great resource for discovering new books on plants, grassroots action, habitat restoration, ecology, and more. We have put together a list of staff book recommendations specially curated for the grassroots action curious person like you.

Here’s our list of 6 books that keep us curious:

1. A State of Change: Forgotten Landscapes of California by Laura Cunningham

“A beautifully illustrated book that explores California's natural history and native landscapes.” -Kate Dolkas, Development Director

2. Enduring Seeds by Gary Nabhan

“An awe-inspiring book about the biodiversity of Native American crops.”
-Stanely Gu, Watershed Steward Member.

3. The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals by Joel Sartore

“The Photo Ark is Joel Sartore's mission to document all animals with intimate portrait photography, so we can look them in their eyes before they become extinct forever.”
-Sean Lee, Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember.

4. The Wave by Susan Casey

“If you need a reminder about how powerful and unknown mother nature is, this is your ticket. Basically we hardly know anything about waves and the forces that drive them.”
-Nina Orellana, Community Science and Monitoring Coordinator.

5. How to do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

“This book makes you confront your reliance on technology at the first hint of boredom. The author is based in the Bay Area and somehow successfully argues that community habitat restoration is the solution to all of our problems!”
-Emily Repech, Communications and Development Coordinator.

6. Flight Ways: Life and Loss at the Edge of Extinction by Thom van Dooren

“Emotional stories about five birds facing the edge of extinction. The penguin one especially is heartbreaking: it describes how penguins visit the beach over and over again despite their home getting developed and the dangers they faced to get there.”
-Sean Lee, Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember.

If you’re like me, you’re probably already out the door to head to your library or local bookstore to check out all of these recommendations!

By Emily Repech, Communications and Development Coordinator