Reviews

Llewyn Whipps, Corvallis, OR
Spirit of Nature was a delightful read! As a habitat restoration ecologist, I am all too familiar with the difficulty of keeping good projects alive and funded through the years. Brian Miller tells a fascinating and hopeful story of perseverance and strong partnerships between public, private, and tribal entities, which ultimately led to the successful creation of a new wildlife refuge. Although I’ve never been to the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, I was transported there by Miller's detailed descriptions of the area's seasonal and daily rhythms, and his ability to turn years of observation and scientific knowledge into relatable text. The vignettes of different animals’ and plants’ lifeways scattered throughout are alive with the wonder of the world, and make you want to go outside.