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The Bear Necessities

Published today, a gorgeous new picture book for young adults by environmental photographer Ian McAllister. The Salmon Bears: Giants of the Great Bear Rainforest, features various stages of the grizzly bear and rare Kermode or Spirit Bears in their natural habitat and the interconnectedness of their eco-system. An eloquent description by the publisher Orca Books:

The Salmon Bears explores the delicate balance that exists between the grizzly, black and spirit bears and their natural environment, the last great wilderness along the central coast of British Columbia. Key to this relationship are the salmon that are born in the rivers each spring, who then go out to sea as juveniles and return as adults to spawn and die, completing a cycle of life that ensures the survival of not only their own species but also virtually every other plant and animal in the rainforest.

All proceeds from the book go towards Pacific Wild's conservation initiatives. A great gift for a great cause...

Garden of the Spirit Bear

In keeping with our holiday gift theme, a book for the younger set, "Garden of the Spirit Bear: Life in the Great Bear Rainforest" by noted naturalist Dr. Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, looks like a lovely present for a child (grades 3-5).

One reviewer describes it as:

"By concentrating on the bears' interactions with various plants and animals, she helps readers see the interrelationships that form a delicate balance for all of the inhabitants. Also described are threats posed by logging and the attempts of the Valhalla Wilderness Society to establish the Spirit Bear Conservancy. Milton's watercolor illustrations depict vast, unspoiled landscapes and show the animals at home in the forest. Patent's work highlights the threat to one irreplaceable stretch of wilderness and the creatures that live there."

Though a few years old, it's a beautifully illustrated children's book, that still entertains and educates...

Canada's Forgotten Coast

With just two weeks until Christmas, what better present than a gorgeous picture book on the Great Bear Rainforest in support of charity?  An older, but still beautiful publication: The Great Bear Rainforest: Canada's Forgotten Coast by Ian and Karen McAllister (and forward by Robert F. Kenndey Jr.) is available online.  All proceeds support the environmental organization, Pacific Wild, who you can contact directly for signed copies! 

The publisher notes that the McAllisters -- both environmental campaigners -- spent over ten years exploring, photographing and researching this once-forgotten coast. The book contains over 150 stunning colour photographs.  With these photographs, a personable, informative commentary and full-colour maps and drawings, this book is the first to unveil the beauty and magnificence of this unique place.

One reviewer eloquently describes it as:

"This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. 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."

A lovely coffee table book that supports wildlife and habitat protection in the Great Bear Rainforest, which also informs and motivates.  The ideal green gift for the holidays!

Emeralds at the Edge

A gorgeous new picture book of the Great Bear Rainforest has just been released by wildlife photographer Andrew Wright.  The publication features personal experiences and stunning images of the Spirit Bear's habitat.

Come to the book launch in Victoria on November 20th at the Maritime Museum and hear Andrew speak about Emeralds at the Edge: Observations of an Accidental Activist. Join us there and have your copy signed by the author!  Profits from the sale of this book support the Sierra Club BC's work, please contact the Sierra Club BC for more information.