Alaska’s fish, wildlife, and public lands need your help! Across the state, 28 million acres of BLM-managed public lands could soon be repurposed for extractive industrial development. We’re talking about public lands that feed over 100 Alaska Native communities, nourish incredible fish and wildlife biodiversity, and serve as massive carbon sinks for the planet.
But RIGHT NOW, you can stand up to keep these landscapes safe. @BLMNational just opened a 60-day public comment period on this potential rollback of public land protections. The federal government needs to hear that we want public land uses that support local communities, and prioritize clean water, healthy habitat, and food security. Speak up now to maintain protections for some of the last, intact large landscapes left on the planet: https://wildsalmoncenter.org/2023/12/18/take-action-for-alaska-fish-wildlife-and-public-lands/
As crazy busy as life is with work, family responsibilities, traffic, daily news, and social media, designing a simple way of life isn’t just a lifestyle; it can be a lifeline.
“…a family camp on a remote lake in the Adirondack Mountains…” – Jim Leach page 160 of Small Homes.
Embracing a simple lifestyle involves more than changing priorities from possessions to experiences. It is a choice to be more present, fostering relationships with yourself, others, and the natural environment. People make this change to create more joy and fulfillment in their daily life, leading to more gratitude for what they already have. In the world of sustainable living, Lloyd Kahn is an expert with more than 50 years of experience promoting alternative housing, especially in tiny and small homes.
Loving the Simple Life
Jonathan Avery’s Nesthouse on page 220 of Small Homes.
Khan wrote Small Homes when the average family home size (and home price) was on the rise. Today, the number of people looking for those larger homes (and those larger mortgages) is decreasing, as the appeal for smaller homes is partly driven by challenges with expensive housing, maintenance, and interest rates. The move to a small home allows people more freedom from cost and upkeep and results in more time for enjoyable activities, creating a more sustainable life.
These facts may seem almost common sense now, but they are community trends that Lloyd Kahn picked up on decades ago.
Lloyd’s insights and advocacy emphasize the benefits of a mindful, sustainable lifestyle.
Flipping through the pages of Small Homes is inspiring, informative, and affirmative. The book features many pictures and stories to keep you engaged, as well as instructions that show you how “you can do it!” The book features different types of structures, such as cabins, treehouses, and yurts, and many materials, such as stone, timbers, tin, and much more. The variety appeals to a wide range of people; you will find something that works for you.
At the beginning of his book, Lloyd advocates for small homes, saying, “Compared to the average American home, small homes are less expensive, use less resources, are more efficient to heat and cool, and [are] cheaper to maintain and repair.”
Getting Real about Home Ownership
Many buyers cannot afford bigger homes. If they are building, the cost of materials and labor are also high, causing them to reduce the size of their floor plan—some eliminating bathtubs and living rooms, according to a Wall Street Journal post.
People are becoming creative when it comes to finding homes. They are looking for alternatives to what was once considered a starter home. Builders are pivoting their business to building smaller, more affordable homes or creating alternative options. Even Costco has started selling small structures!
The beauty of Small Homes is that it tells the stories of how individuals have been able to craft structures and find joy in building something of their own. The pride on every page is worth looking into if the current market conditions are unfavorable to you. Let it (and Lloyd) inspire you to live a simple, sustainable lifestyle.
AdventureKEEN is excited to share the news that Shelter Publications has become the publishing group’s seventh imprint, effective January 1, 2024. Shelter Publications was founded by Lloyd Kahn and based in Bolinas, California.
“We are honored and appreciative to be able to shepherd the Shelter list going forward. Lloyd’s books have always been distinctive and smart. We’re pleased that we can continue his legacy of creating first-rate books that inspire and benefit readers around the world,” says Richard Hunt, president of AdventureKEEN.
Shelter Publications is a 50-year-old independent publisher known for its high-quality books about home building and personal fitness. With Lloyd’s start in the Whole Earth Catalog, Shelter’s building books (many written by Kahn), detail topics including small houses, campers, road rigs, houseboats, and much more. The long-selling fitness titles include Bob Anderson’s Stretching and (Jeff) Galloway’sBook on Running.
Publisher Molly Merkle adds, “Lloyd (aka “The King of D.I.Y. Dwellings”) has a voice and perspective that continues to resonate with readers. We are thrilled to carry forward his work and influence for future generations.”
“I’m more than excited to be working with AdventureKEEN in this next phase of my career. Our goals and aspirations are in sync, and I’m looking forward to this new relationship that will give me time to communicate via Instagram, Substack, and YouTube (and with an occasional book). We also look forward to having AdventureKEEN’s expertise and skills in marketing our Shelter Library of Building Books,” says Lloyd Kahn, Shelter founder.
Shelter’s administrative functions will transfer to AdventureKEEN’s Birmingham, Alabama headquarters. Lloyd will continue to author and promote the Shelter list.
“PGW has had a wonderful history with both publishers, and their shared sensibilities will allow Lloyd to continue to explore his many publishing ideas with an ideal and supportive partner,” says Kevin Votel, vice president of business development at Publishers Group West.
Publishers Group West (PGW) will remain the trade distributor of Shelter Publications. Established in 1976, PGW, an Ingram distribution company, is one of the top book vendors in the country, representing about 100 independent publishers, who together are publishing some of the most topical, innovative, literary, and award-winning books available today. PGW has been AdventureKEEN’s sales and distribution partner since 2007.
AdventureKEEN, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cambridge, Minnesota, publishes 50-60 new titles annually, primarily on the subjects of nature, outdoor recreation, regional interest, and travel. The company has a backlist of 1000+ titles.
#GivingTuesday is today. It’s a day dedicated to the spirit of giving, and it’s an opportunity to come together and help get more kids outdoors learning to appreciate nature. So join us in supporting Fresh Air Family and its programs by buying books and nature guides.
We are proud to partner with Fresh Air Family in Birmingham, AL, as they offer lessons in science and life from their award-winning science camp, Gross Out Camp, weekend Family Adventures, school field trips, after-school programs, and more. But we can’t do it alone!
This is why we are donating 25% of all web order revenues to support their programs, science camps, Gross Out Camp, weekend Family Adventures, school field trips, and after school programs throughout Alabama. So join us as we supply books and money to Fresh Air Family and the kids they serve.
The outdoors means something different to everyone. The surrounding landscape offers community, inspiration, restoration, and a chance to explore. The outdoors also belongs to everyone. This is why it is so important to support efforts like Fresh Air Family so they can go about the work of introducing children from all over the Birmingham, AL, area to the woods, trails, fields, rivers, and streams around them.
So please join AdventureKEEN on this #GivingTuesday as we donate 25% of all web order revenues to the Fresh Air Family. And if you don’t need a book, please consider clicking over and making a donation directly via their webpage.
We love getting all of the ‘thank you’ cards from Fresh Air Family campers after one of their successful events.
Dudley Edmondson, film director Chad Brown, and Molly Merkle
This past weekend, our publisher, Molly Merkle, made the trip to Atlanta, GA, to attend the screening of the new outdoor adventure film Blackwaters.
Blackwaters follows five black outdoorsmen of diverse backgrounds into Gates of the Arctic National Park. The film captures their outdoor adventures and conversations about life’s experiences and challenges as black men.
While at the September 30th showing, Molly had the chance to meet with AdventureKEEN author and wildlife photographer Dudley Edmondson and chat with other film members. Dudley was part of the film crew and the film’s senior editor. All of the cast members attended the event and participated in a moderated discussion.
The Blackwaters film crew is currently on tour with their movie. You can find other showings on their site. We recommend catching a viewing and participating in the conversation if you’re able.
Blackwaters crew on stage at Atlanta screening
Dudley Edmondson and Molly Merkle in conversation with cast member Jahmicah Dawes, president of Slim Pickins Outfitters in Central Texas.
It’s the people who make AdventureKEEN exciting and fun, no matter which department they’re working in or what part of the country they call home. Get to know the members of AdventureKEEN through their day-to-day jobs, as well as their favorite things to pack for a hike.
We want to introduce Will Bowlin as we welcome him to the AdventureKEEN team.
Will joined us in June and has been directing shipping and logistics for the Birmingham, AL warehouse. If you have called in with a packing or website shipping question, Will has been part of the answer. Will’s background in warehousing, shipping, and logistics for the U.S. Army, along with his systems skills and organization, will be a great asset to the warehouse team.
“Now that we have completed a full inventory and I have learned the ins and outs of managing this type of warehouse, I am excited to use my years of experience as a Warehouse Manager in the Army, to implement new strategies and procedures that will increase productivity within this organization,” said Will.
While we couldn’t find a time when Will was sitting down, but we followed him around the warehouse for a minute and asked him the ever important question for an AdventureKEEN team member… ‘what’s always in your pack when going for a weekend hike?’
He replied with a solid list of dependable hiking staples that would make sure every hiker is prepared for an overnight outing.
Water
Food
Compass or GPS
Strobe light
Flashlight or Headlamp
Knife/utility tool
550 cord
First aid kit
It’s this kind of planning and dependability that you can count on when you order from AdventureKEEN. We are so glad Will has joined the AdventureKEEN family!
It is always an exciting time when a new catalog hits the shelves. While this isn’t a “big” annual catalog, our Fall 2023 Catalog is jammed with new and exciting titles. The diversity of topics, cover designs, subjects, and categories is widespread.
The Fall 2023 Catalog’s cover image is taken from a new book by award-winning nature photographer and author Stan Tekiela. Bears of North America presents a striking portrayal of these incredible animals through every stage of their lives.
We also have a new authoritative book called The Rocky Mountain Plant Guide, which organizes 700 wildflowers, shrubs, and trees in a color-coded system with Quick ID tips to help every hiker and naturalist in the Rocky Mountain region.
We can only mention some of the great new books in the Fall 2023 Catalog, but we want to highlight The William Nealy Collection! Page four of the catalog presents the wackiest and most fun guidebooks you can buy. Award-winning artist William Nealy created all these books and maps during the 1980s and 1990s. We have brought back many of his out-of-print books, re-printed some poster maps once lost to time, and even created a new line of playing cards, all celebrating the great outdoors and Nealy’s one-of-a-kind artwork. Be sure to check it out!
AdventureKEEN was a fortunate beneficiary of Scott McGrew’s creativity, design sensibility, loyalty, sense of humor, and friendship for nearly two decades, and we were devastated by his unexpected passing in late April after a short illness. He was 48.
As a staff cartographer and graphic designer, Scott created some truly amazing sketches, art, cover designs, and maps. He was able to simplify complex technical workflows to improve our printed books. Many AdventureKEEN authors were lucky to work with him to create some of the best guidebook maps in print today. Over the years, a lot of the company’s book covers benefited from his detailed eye for imagery and typography.
Scott was loved by his family, his friends, and everyone he worked with here. His jokes, smile, and camaraderie are greatly missed.
With incredible sadness, we share the loss of our dear friend and respected colleague Ritchey Halphen. Ritchey passed away unexpectedly on April 14th. Ritchey was a cherished friend to many, a loving partner to Tom, and what one production artist accurately described as “nothing less than an editor’s editor, the crème de la crème.”
A talented editor and project manager, Ritchey helped shape the direction of many books at Menasha Ridge Press and AdventureKEEN during his 18 years at the company. Notably, Ritchey was longtime co-author and editor of AdventureKEEN’s The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line, which is published annually. His incredible attention to detail benefited many of the complex and fact-rich titles published by the company. Ritchey loved dogs and was committed to helping animals in need.
Ritchey was integral to any project he worked on, offering so much time to polish a manuscript to perfection—something that his authors and co-workers greatly appreciated.
We already miss his insights, wit, and conversation so much.
It’s the people who make AdventureKEEN exciting and fun, no matter which department they’re working in or what part of the country they call home. Get to know the members of AdventureKEEN through their day-to-day jobs, as well as their favorite things to pack for a hike.
We’d like to introduce you to Trenton Foston, the newest member of the AdventureKEEN Marketing Team. Trenton has lots of experience in digital marketing and brings a rich blend of skills. We’re so happy that he has joined AdventureKEEN!
In the coming weeks, he’ll start working closely with our imprints and authors to help spread the word about new titles, old favorites, and upcoming author events. Trenton is a terrific fit here and is already making a positive impact around the office in Birmingham.
So, if you see Trenton at a show, event, or even online, say “Hi!”
