A year on Turtle Hill : a natural history and guidebook for Camp Friedenswald and Southwest Michigan
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2019

Includes bibliographical references.

Multiple traditional field guides exist for the state of Michigan, providing those who are curious with identification tools for mammals, birds, fish, butterflies, trees, rocks, and other ecosystem components. Their coverage of the entire state and lack of place-based story, however, limit the extent to which they might motivate actual engagement with the natural world, or commitment to its conservation. For this project I authored, illustrated, and will publish a natural history of the Camp Friedenswald [CF] property in southwestern Michigan. The following compositional tactics are intended to engage a broad audience such that readers leave the text aware of the importance of our diverse ecosystems, motivated to act with environmental responsibility: 1) I incorporated narrative essays about ambassador species and storied landmarks; 2) I highlighted the uniqueness of the area while connecting local ecosystems to their broader importance; and 3) I included my own illustrations and photos. This guide is not intended to function as an exhaustive catalog of regional flora and fauna, but rather is intended to tell the story of an area and some of its most common and/or distinguishing inhabitants, a story informed by both science and personal experience. Collectively, the intended impact of these products is the ambitious goal of increasing among readers environmental awareness, concern, and responsibility regarding the ecosystems at CF, in greater southwestern Michigan, and in their own home.