Children and Nature
Psychological, Sociocultural and Evolutionary Investigations

Edited by Peter Hahn Jr. and Stephen R. Kellert MIT Press; 348 pages. $24.95

One of the books I find myself quoting from most often, this anthology of essays by psychologists, cognitive scientists, educators, and political scientists, is a follow up on the seminal work by Rachel Carson and Edith Cobb. The authors explore the role of nature in the formative development of children: "For much of human evolution, the natural world constituted one of the most important contexts children encountered during their critical years of maturation ... experience of nature has been and may possibly remain a critical component in human physical, emotional, intellectual, and even moral development."

Those of us who experienced the natural world as children intuitively grasp the truth of that statement; these scientists offer proof of it. The essay that interested me the most was by Kahn who has coined the phrase, "environmental general amnesia." He says "…we all take the natural environment we encounter during childhood as the norm against which we measure environmental degradation later on our lives." This disturbing trait leads us to adapt to loss as we continually degrade nature. Kahn gives chilling examples of challenges this amnesia causes, but asserts that "it becomes crucial to preserve pristine areas in settings both urban (parks and open areas) and rural… Such areas help provide the baseline of ecological health from which children (and societies at large) can construct notions of ecological disease…" and work to prevent it. The Committee's work to preserve our open space and the belief that access to natural areas are inextricably linked to our well-being, are supported by this book.

— Judith Steiner
Interim Executive Director, CGF

Farming with the Wild:
Enhancing Biodiversity on Farms and Ranches

Written by Daniel Imhoff and designed by Roberto Carra

In Farming with the Wild, author Dan Imhoff takes readers on a tour through farm and ranchlands across the country, highlighting the work of dedicated stewards and all who partner with them to bring about a more conservation-based farming ethic. From the small-scale rotational pasture-based animal operations, like Joel Salatine's Polyface Farm in Virginia, to the 2500 acre operation of the Romingers' in the Sacramento Valley, Dan elucidates the creativity of the farmers who manage to stay solvent while fostering biodiversity in and around their operations. Imhoff suggests that ultimately, there is more to gain by both the farmer and urban dweller, if we support farms that work to enhance their surrounding biotic communities.

Farming with the Wild is both a wonderful resource and a beautiful book, full of the vivid photography and the care of designer, Roberto Carra. Whether you are an advocate for green foothills or a fourth generation coastal farmer, this book is a valuable tool in helping both groups chart a path together in maintaining successful working landscapes that are in partnership with nature.

— Jered Lawson, Pie Ranch