Conservation Education Activities

BCC-IWLA Conservation Book Group

2010-2011Schedule

We read books, discuss them, and explore the ideas they stimulate to help us “know the beauty and understanding of nature, and the value of wildlife, woodlands, and open space.”

 

We start the new series reading The Compleat Angler and thinking about what Izaak Walton of the 17^th century has to teach the Ikes of today. After two months with Izaak and Cotton, we’ll move to a more modern, and hilarious, trek on the Appalachian Trail with humorist Bill Bryson. Then we explore the ocean, arctic and desert environments before turning to a fictional account of hunting culture of the deep South, as described by one of America’s most respected writers.

 

All BCC-IWLA invited.

2^nd Tuesdays at 7:15 PM

 

SEPTEMBER 14 and OCTOBER 12, 2010

The Compleat Anglerby Izaak Walton. The author’s name is familiar, but have you ever read the book? If you think you know what it’s about, you may be surprised. It’s been in print continuously for 350 years, and we’re going to take two sessions to thoroughly explore its lessons.

NOVEMBER 9, 2010

 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. This is an absolutely hilarious account of the attempt of two out-of-shape, overweight men to hike the 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.  (Could be perfect preparation for the Chapter-sponsored AT trip?) But it is more than that, as Bryson delves into the nature of the Trail and the importance of conserving something wild. Real long distance hikers may be offended, but the rest of us love it.

DECEMBER 14, 2010

The Empty Seaby Richard Ellis. "There is no great mystery about what happened to the codfish of the North Atlantic," writes Richard Ellis. "The fishermen caught them, and the rest of us ate them." This is one of many recent books documenting the decline in fishery stocks worldwide. It differs from most in showing how declines in seemingly unrelated species (think sea otters) result in decreased fish stocks. Perhaps even more importantly, he offers practical solutions to the problem. No, the solution is NOT becoming a vegetarian.

JANUARY 14, 2011

Kabloona  by Gontran de Poncins. Written just prior to World War II, this book is still considered among the best descriptions of Inuit (previously known as Eskimo) life ever written. Not only does it vividly describe an environment most of us will never experience, a high arctic winter, but de Poncin’s revelations about how the Inuit survive in a harsh but extremely fragile environment carry lessons for our modern “civilized” societies.

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

Desert Solitaireby Edward Abbey. Edward Abbey was an extremist: an extremely politically incorrect, anarchistic, possibly insane, misanthrope. He was also a deeply committed conservationist. He passionately loved the desert and his prose, violent and profane as it may be at times, is truly a love story written for the desert. His 1968 book is a series of essays written during his time as a Ranger in the Arches National Monument (now Park). You feel his love for the rocks, sand, rivers and wildlife of this hot land and every bit of his distain for tourists in their air-conditioned cars. 

MARCH 14, 2011

The Big Woods: Hunting Storiesby William Faulkner. For this year’s foray into fiction we’re starting with Noble prize winner Faulkner’s short stories the plots of which revolve around Delta hunting camps and especially the pursuit of an almost mythical bear. The stories express a love of wilderness and nature in a way only one of the world’s greatest writers could.

 

We need your suggestions for additional books to follow our reading of these selections. Please send your suggestions to Don Galloway and/or Steven Swartz