Earth Almanac, a Balm for the Soul

By Chris Hubbard, Education Director

Considering the unsettling times we find ourselves in, having a space of quiet and hope can be a much-needed balm. Earth Almanac, by Ted Williams is one such space. Williams, a nature writer for The Nature Conservancy’s conservation science blog, Cool Green Science, brings us his essays gleaned from “Earth Calendar,” Audubon magazine’s seasonal natural history column. These essays “celebrate the beauty and magic of nature,” as Williams takes us by the hand and leads us to moments in time in the natural world that can be so easily passed by. Williams shares the experience of writing these essays as “regular retreats into what is pure and clean and right with the world.” Never preachy with calls to action, he gives us a glimpse into an element of the featured flora or fauna, often providing a “project” to encourage a personal connection with the topic. He urges us to “breathe deeply and put away your prejudice,” in an essay about skunks. He suggests if we “…make a crude sketch on paper or in your mind, you can see the unfurling of time,” in an essay about fiddleheads. The essays are graced with monochromic pen and ink drawings and watercolors rendered by John Burgoyne, who is also known for his Cooks Illustrated covers, making this book a salve for the eyes as well as the heart.

MFFC continues to offer 70th Anniversary memberships for $70, which includes a copy of Earth Almanac. Gift a Merck Forest membership to someone you know who aligns with our mission to inspire curiosity, love and responsibility for natural and working lands.

Order at www.merckforest.org/get-involved/memberships/ or contact liz@merckforest.org.