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This is fantastic book. The threats to the Great Bear Rainforest are increasing in 2007 and support is vitally needed. To see what is happening, go to the Raincoast Conservation Society web page and see what major threats to the Great Bear are coming in 2007.
It starts a few miles north of Lund and extends all the way north in Canada to the BC's northernmost limit, around Port Rupert, and extends only a few miles inland. Trust me, the time will be worth it, you'll be glad you did. Is any of it protected in province or federal park land. Where exactly was it.
It is home to the largest remaining contiguous temperate rain forest anywhere in the world. WOW. This book is an enchanting mix of imminently readable and interesting text and absolutely stunning photographs. For years, I had always heard snippets here and there about the Great Bear Rainforest of Northwestern British Columbia, supposedly even more beautiful, wild, untamed, and much larger than other gorgeous temperate rainforest locales like Olympic National Park in Washington. And it doesn't just name-drop valleys that have no meaning to you, it provides you with maps that show exactly where it is that they are talking about. Read it. It also does social justice by presenting an unflinching look at the environmental horrors that await the Great Bear Rainforest through resource extraction and recreation at the hands of an apathetic public if current trends remain unchecked.And then there are the photos.
This is an amazing book about a place of transcendent, almost ethereal beauty. Not so with this book.Not only that, the book covers a wide range of topics concerning The Great Bear Rainforest. I think this is the greatest feature of the book, I've read too many books about geographical places that tell you the names of certain interesting areas, but you don't quite know where they are. That about sums it up. What does it look like. Ecology, economic pressures, animal and plant life, geography, even a lot of interesting history and contemporary issues concerning the First Nation (who we in the U.S. refer to as Native American) tribes who traditionally lived (and still live) in and around the Great Bear Rainforest. Anyway, enough of the obvious.What I really like about this book is that it isn't a condescending piece of fluff, and it gave me *exactly* what I wanted from it.
It almost makes you feel like you are there, immersed in this incredible rain drenched emerald cathedral of trees.The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the British Columbia coast. Temperate rain forests are cool and moist, whereas tropical ones are hot and moist. Gorgeous. But I didn't really know much about it. All of these facts and themes are woven into the narrative of the authors' journey through the Great Bear Rainforest (which spans many years) incredibly seamlessly - you might think it's difficult to talk about the flora and fauna of the area while giving a history lesson on the Tlinglit people, but like I said, this point interweaves all points flawlessly.
I found the parts about the Haida tribe to be particularly edifying. Vast stands of huge, majestic trees, so much green it's almost blinding; a spirit bear chowing down on salmon in an unbelievable action shot; stunning shots of a coastline where fjord and mountain come together; and of course, the grand British Columbia ocean itself. Take your time, don't just skim through it and goggle over the pictures. It takes you on an incredibly detailed tour of nearly every major rain forest valley in the Great Bear Rainforest. And many more questions.Then, years later, I stumbled upon this book.
It's crime more people haven't had a chance to go through it. You probably already know this, but a temperate rain forest is much different than a tropical rain forest because of climate. Even though it's no easily readable, it is no fluff piece that waxes prettily poetic but doesn't really tell you anything. This book is a real gem. A must-have for anyone who considers themselves an environmentalist, a nature lover, and especially for people who have stood in awe in a temperate rain forest and said "I need to know more."
So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. Grave jeopardy.
Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage.
But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein.
The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.
As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.
They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering.
It is packed with beautiful color photos. This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike.
I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains.
There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest.
Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.
A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered
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