Consumption and Production: Themes of Sustainability in Artists' Books

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Sheryl James, uncovers one of Michigan's most mystical and unusual natural resources, Gwen FrosticA naturalist, an author, and an artist, Gwen Frostic, is unquestionably extraordinary. She, and everything she has done, has been remarkably unique, a testimony to her intelligence and ironclad independence. Solitary and sure, she has made all of her own decisions, often against advice and custom. Her accomplishments are an inspiration -- for women, for seniors, for business people, for all.

2019 Green Earth Book Awards - Long ListThe art and writing of Gwen Frostic are well known in her home state of Michigan and around the world, but this picture book biography tells the story behind Gwen's famous work. After a debilitating illness as a child, Gwen sought solace in art and nature. She learned to be persistent and independent--never taking no for an answer or letting her disabilities define her. After creating artwork for famous Detroiters and for display at the World's Fair and helping to build WWII bombers, Gwen moved her printmaking business to northern Michigan. She dedicated her work and her life to reminding people of the wonder and beauty in nature.

Listening at Lookout Creek recounts the author's attempt to reconnect with nature at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon and back home at her family's cabin in northwest Michigan's Manistee National Forest.  Weaving philosophical and spiritual interpretations of the natural world with personal, hands-on experiences of particular landed places, it will be of interest to students of environmental ethics and religion, conservationists, hunting and fishing enthusiasts, and those who work to connect children with nature.

Star-shaped flowers, short-tempered snapping turtles, and clusters of chicken-flavored mushrooms are just a few of the many fascinating things awaiting discovery just beyond the typical North American backyard. In Heartland Habitats: 265 Midwest Nature Walks, Mary Blocksma guides readers through North American terrain, introducing them to the land and its thriving wildlife of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. From birds of all kinds to fungi of both the tasty and deadly varieties--Chicken of the Woods, Death Caps, Jack-O-Lanterns--Blocksma gradually uncovers a world rich with breathtaking beauty. Adventures filled with swan-on-goose battles, squirrel squabbles, and forays into forests all lead to a deeper understanding of the world around us. A lively and detailed guide in befriending the great outdoors, Heartland Habitats showcases the natural wonders thriving just outside our homes with full-color illustrations and vivid descriptions.

Hiking Michigan is your complete guide to 146 of the most scenic day hikes in the state. From Upper to Lower Peninsula and all trails in between, you'll experience the spectacular beauty of the Great Lake State In this one-of-a-kind resource you'll find these features: - Detailed descriptions of every hike in every region, including special points of interest, estimated hiking time and distance, and difficulty ratings for each trail - Phone numbers and Web sites, park hours and rules, and available facilities for 77 of the state's most scenic parks and natural areas - Easy-to-read maps for every park and trail to help you navigate your hike and locate landmarks and other points of interest - A convenient trail finder that provides a summary of each trail's features and available facilities Hiking Michigan brings to life the history, terrain, flora, and fauna of each area. And its descriptions of nearby recreational and sightseeing destinations ensure you won't miss anything on your trip. Hiking Michigan is your guide to enjoying the great outdoors!

The culmination of three decades of work by Michigan Natural Features Inventory ecologists, this essential guidebook to the natural communities of Michigan introduces the diverse terrain of a unique state. Small enough to carry in a backpack, this field guide provides a system for dividing the complex natural landscape of Michigan into easily understood and describable components called natural communities. Providing a new way to explore Michigan’s many environments, this book details natural communities ranging from patterned fen to volcanic bedrock glade and beyond. The descriptions are supplemented with distribution maps, vibrant photographs, and comprehensive lists of characteristic plant species. The authors suggest places to visit to further study each type of natural community and provide a comprehensive glossary of ecological terms, as well as a dichotomous key for aiding field identification. An invaluable resource, this book is meant to serve as a tool for those seeking to understand, describe, document, conserve, and restore the diversity of natural communities native to Michigan.