Authors

Venture into the Wild with Sam Rivers: A Wildlife Mystery Series from Adventure Publications

Venture into the Wild with Sam Rivers: A Wildlife Mystery Series from Adventure Publications

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If you’re already a follower of the wide variety of nature-focused titles from Adventure Publications, prepare to experience the great outdoors in an entirely new way with the Sam Rivers Mystery series by Cary J. Griffith. This captivating collection combines the thrill of well-crafted mysteries with the author’s deep knowledge of wildlife and wilderness settings, creating a reading experience that’s as educational as it is entertaining.

Sam Rivers isn’t your typical mystery protagonist. As a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service special agent, he brings a unique perspective to criminal investigations. His expertise in wildlife management and conservation adds an authentic layer to these page-turning narratives. Sam’s faithful companion, Gray, a wolf-dog hybrid with keen instincts, accompanies him on his adventures, creating a dynamic duo that readers can’t help but root for.

What sets these mysteries apart is the author’s remarkable ability to transform natural landscapes into characters themselves. From the dense forests of Minnesota to the rugged bluffs of the Driftless region, each setting is rendered with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the crunch of leaves underfoot or hear the rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. Cary doesn’t just describe these environments, he immerses you in them, making the wilderness both a backdrop and a vital element of each investigation.

Each book in the series features a distinct wildlife theme that serves as both plot device and powerful metaphor. In Wolf Kill, the predator-prey dynamics of wolf packs mirror the hunter-hunted relationship between investigator and killer. Cougar Claw explores the elusive, solitary nature of mountain lions as a reflection of isolated human communities harboring secrets. Killing Monarchs uses the fragility and miraculous migration of monarch butterflies to symbolize vulnerable victims and the far-reaching consequences of exploitation. Dead Catch employs the harsh survival conditions of Minnesota winters and the untamed waters of Lake Vermilion as a metaphor for human resilience and adaptation. Throughout the series, Cary masterfully uses these natural elements not merely as backdrop but as profound symbolism that enhances the thematic depth of each mystery, demonstrating how the laws of nature often parallel the darker aspects of human behavior.

The series appeals to a wide range of readers. Outdoors enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic portrayal of natural environments. Wildlife conservationists will value the educational aspects woven throughout the narratives. And mystery lovers will be drawn into the intricately plotted investigations that challenge both Sam’s intellect and wilderness skills.

Rattlesnake Bluff: The Latest Sam Rivers Adventure

In the upcoming Rattlesnake Bluff, the fifth installment in the series, Cary delivers his most compelling mystery yet. When an endangered rattlesnake is discovered at a construction site in southeastern Minnesota, Sam Rivers is called to investigate what initially appears to be an environmental issue. However, the situation takes a sinister turn when the investigation unearths human remains buried decades ago. As Sam delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets connecting the rattlesnake, the remains of two children, and a series of present-day murders. The narrative expertly weaves together themes of environmental conservation, the weight of past actions, and the complexity of human nature. Featuring Cary’s signature blend of suspenseful storytelling and rich environmental detail, Rattlesnake Bluff presents Sam with his most dangerous challenge yet—one that puts both him and his loyal companion Gray in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer determined to keep the past buried. This latest addition to the series showcases why Jeffrey B. Burton, award-winning author, describes it as a “rollicking page-turner“ in which “Special Agent Sam Rivers finds himself on the endangered species list.“

For AdventureKEEN readers looking to expand their appreciation of the natural world through the lens of gripping fiction, the Sam Rivers Mystery series offers the perfect blend of outdoors adventure and suspenseful storytelling that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Stan Tekiela’s Column: Sherman’s Fox Squirrel

Stan Tekiela’s Column: Sherman’s Fox Squirrel

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I find diversity to be the special ingredient underpinning the strength of Mother Nature. This was abundantly clear last week when I was in Florida to photograph a very specific variation of the common and widespread eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). I was in search of the Sherman’s fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani), a subspecies that only occurs in a handful of places in Florida and a couple of other states.

The fox squirrel is the largest of the tree squirrels found in North America. Eastern fox squirrels measure 20 to 30 inches, from tip of nose to end of tail, and they weigh around 2-3 pounds. The Sherman’s fox squirrel is large and unusual looking, and it requires stands of longleaf pines with a scattering of oaks for its habitat, as it feeds on the seeds of these trees.

Just the overall appearance of this squirrel makes it worth going out of your way for a sighting. It has a black head, forelegs, and back. In contrast, its ears and the tip of its nose are bright white. Its belly is tan to cream, and it has a huge fuzzy tail that can be black to silver. 

Of course, in order to photograph one of these super-shy and secretive squirrels, I did a lot of Internet searches to learn of possible locations. After sitting up late into the night, I made a list of possible spots. In the morning, I started making some calls. Most of the places were state and county parks. I called all of them. Only one had a staff member who picked up the phone and said yes, the park had a couple of these squirrels. I dropped the phone and started driving. Upon arrival, I was given a map. It was a 5-mile hike out to the location, so I picked up some water, snacks, and my camera gear and headed out. When I arrived in the area, I could see evidence of a Sherman’s fox squirrel eating the large cones produced by the longleaf pine trees, but I didn’t see the critter. I was exhausted by the time I got back to my truck. The search continued.

While driving through central Florida, I stopped at another state park that had the right habitat. I drove in and talked to a staff member. He basically laughed in my face and said, “Good luck, buddy!” They are hard to find and super shy. The same thing happened at the next several parks where I stopped. 

Next, I drove 1.5 hours south to a natural preserve recommended by someone on Facebook. Upon arrival, I saw that the habitat wasn’t right. I drove down the road a little farther and saw a guy in his driveway. I risked it and drove onto the property. The homeowner wasn’t too pleased to see me. He said, “We don’t get many people out in the country.“ I inquired about the squirrels, and he said he had never seen one in the area in his life. I was off again.

I made a couple more phone calls and sent a few text messages to Florida friends who understand wildlife. I got a few replies but no solid leads. The search continued like this for three days, but nothing panned out. It was getting very frustrating, and I was beginning to think I wouldn’t be able to find one of these elusive squirrels anywhere.

A friend who was born and raised in Florida knew of the species and said the only place he had ever seen one was along a rural road in the middle of nowhere. I had run out of leads and thought it was worth a try. One morning around 10 a.m., I rolled up in the general area that my friend told me about. I had little-to-no hope of seeing the creature when, all of a sudden, I spotted one about 50 feet off the road, heading toward a fence!

I pulled the truck over and got out. I was able to grab a few images of the fleeing squirrel. It sat on the fence long enough for me to capture a few more photos. It then jumped to a tree, allowing time for a couple more images. I came back a few times over the next several days and managed to capture a few more images. It was amazing. Until next time…

Sherman’s fox squirrel, taken in east-central Florida

Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and photographer who travels extensively to capture images of wildlife. He can be followed at instagram.com and facebook.com and contacted via his website at naturesmart.com.

If you enjoyed Stan’s post, you might also like: Cranes, Herons & Egrets; Bird Migration: The Incredible Journeys of North American Birds; Wild Birds: North America’s Most Unique Birds; Bald Eagles: The Ultimate Raptors; Owls: The Majestic Hunters; Hummingbirds: Marvels of the Bird World; and, for little tykes, his series of Mamas & Babies board books. 

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The cover features a ruler-like measurement scale along the top and left edges. The title "MUSHROOM FINDER" is displayed in bold, uppercase letters, with "Identifying Fungi in North America" in smaller text below. A grayscale line-art illustration of various mushroom species is centered on the cover. The background is a neutral tone, and the publisher's logo, "Nature Study Guild Publishers," appears at the bottom.

Mushroom Finder Exclusive: Interview With Expert Jacob Kalichman

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Mushroom Finder is a new addition to the Nature Study Guide Finders series started by May Theilgaard Watts in the 1930s. Author Jacob Kalichman is a field mycologist who maintains suggested common names and associated guidelines for North American fungi.

The cover features a ruler-like measurement scale along the top and left edges. The title "MUSHROOM FINDER" is displayed in bold, uppercase letters, with "Identifying Fungi in North America" in smaller text below. A grayscale line-art illustration of various mushroom species is centered on the cover. The background is a neutral tone, and the publisher's logo, "Nature Study Guild Publishers," appears at the bottom.

When did your interest in fungi begin?

It started abruptly in 2010. I had already been interested in finding and identifying bugs and snakes for a few years, so it wasn’t a big leap. But I had never paid attention to wild mushrooms before a family trip to coastal Northern California, at a perfect place and perfectly rainy time for them. I tried mushroom hunting on the first day there and got hooked immediately.

What is your favorite fungi?

I can’t pick a favorite species, but I have a favorite category of many thousands of species, which is the largest group of mushrooms, the agarics (mushrooms with gills). I picked them to focus on because I wanted a huge-but-tasteful challenge. Agarics would be the obvious candidates for the “peak” of fungal evolution, but only a few genera get a lot of attention. Mushrooms are famously diverse and plastic, but somehow the biggest group, the agarics, are surprisingly well-defined. The boundaries with other groups aren’t too fuzzy, and the variation within the group isn’t too extravagant.

Can you share a personal anecdote about your experiences with researching fungi?

No, I’m not a good storyteller because I make things as boring as possible. The more you think you understand the patterns or the possibilities, the less surprising any particular events are. I’ve managed to make all my personal experiences boring, but not mushroom identification. It’s still far from obvious how to categorize even the familiar mushrooms by simple field features, which is why it’s exciting, and why everyone should buy copies of Mushroom Finder. There’s no fluff, and everything weird in it is included because the mushrooms really are intractably weird.

What was the most challenging aspect of researching fungi?

Real fungal researchers, scientists conducting studies and doing lab work, have a lot more challenges than I have. One of the most challenging things for me, personally, is just finding the time and motivation to actually go mushrooming. It’s so much easier to stay home and study by just reading and browsing photos. When you go out, you have to worry about gas, weather, bugs, rangers, photography, and making collections, but it’s worth it for learning faster. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a mushroom in the hand is worth a hundred mushroom pictures.

How do you cater information to both beginner and more experienced mushroom foragers? 

Maybe I should learn to distinguish them, but I haven’t yet. As far as identification goes, I don’t see much of a difference between beginners and experts. There’s such an incredible number of species—and there’s so much variation within each one—that every identifier is guaranteed to be a beginner regarding thousands of species.

sketches of four mushrooms with their scientific names below. Words, "panus lecomtei, suillus cavipes, Puccini coronata, stilbella fimetaria. Also, the sentence "Fungi come in many different shapes, some recognizably mushrooms, and others less so.

The features that distinguish lookalikes within one group are different from the features that distinguish lookalikes in another group. And there isn’t a lot of well-developed terminology for field features. So I don’t think “general mushroom ID expertise” is as meaningful as one might assume. Someone who knows a species doesn’t need to read about it, and someone who doesn’t know the species does, regardless of what else they know.

What advice do you have for a beginner?

You might be able to have the most fun by setting the lowest expectations. Mushroom identification is really hard in general. You’ll never be able to identify everything you find, to species, by sight. But some are easy. The more time you spend, the more you’ll recognize. Don’t go hunting for any particular species; spend some time with whatever you find. Everything is something!

I think the best way to learn is to go mushrooming with someone who’s already familiar with it. You’ll learn what they tell you (obviously), but you’ll also find out how they find mushrooms, how they look at them, how much they know (you can learn it too), and how little they know (you don’t have to know everything).

What do you hope nature enthusiasts and amateur mushroom hunters learn from your book?

It’s supposed to be a useful first step for identifying whatever fungus or fungus-like thing you’ve just found.

It’s about broad categories, groupings with visibly different forms, which are likely to be studied by different people. I hope it’s a good illustration of how many of those categories there are. It’s pretty comprehensive and doesn’t rely on a “miscellaneous” grouping. That means we ended up with as many categories here as there are species in some other guides.

What are some common misconceptions about mushroom hunting?

One misconception is that picking a mushroom “kills it.” Picking is usually as harmless as picking an apple off a tree. The mycelium is a network of threads underneath, in the soil or wood, that will go on living and producing more mushrooms.

Of course, the actual mushroom you pick will no longer be able to release all the spores it naturally would have. Also, hard shelf-like conks on the sides of logs and trees are usually perennial, so be aware that it could take many years for another to reach the same size.

Another misconception is that it’s all about ingestion. A lot of enthusiasts go mushrooming like bird-watchers, not for food—just for the fun of finding, photographing, and identifying whatever species happen to be there. It’s for enjoying nature, building skills, contributing to knowledge, the thrill of a scavenger hunt, etc.

What are some practical tips or techniques for safely identifying mushrooms in the wild?

Identifying mushrooms is always safe, and so is touching and smelling them, but eating mushrooms isn’t always safe. Don’t eat a mushroom unless you’re absolutely sure of its identity and edibility. Maybe ask yourself, “If I eat this and wake up terribly sick in the hospital the next day, would it be crazy to consider that it might be because of the mushroom?” If the answer is no, I think you shouldn’t eat it. Comparing features in books probably isn’t enough for that. Ideally, you should have some amount of experience in the woods, and confirmation from someone else who has more.

What are some safety tips you have for foragers?

Don’t get lost!

What is one surprising fact about mushrooms that readers might enjoy?

It’s perfectly safe to taste a small, fresh piece of even the deadliest mushroom, as long as you spit it all out. Tasting like this, with a nibble and spit, is a normal part of identification for several groups of mushrooms.

A number of people (including me) have chewed up and spit out big, hearty bites of deadly mushrooms with no apparent symptoms, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Accidentally swallowing any amount could mean hospitalization or worse.

How do you see the field of mushroom hunting evolving in the next few years?

I think it will get easier in several ways. We’ll have more and more DNA-sequenced, photographed collections, which we can use to get a better idea of what species we have and how to distinguish them in the field. AI will keep getting better at identifying mushrooms from photos.

The difference between mushroom foraging (for food) and mushrooming (for curiosity, photography, etc.) will keep getting more clear, like the difference between bird hunting and bird-watching.

I think common names will be suggested, improved, settled on, and used a lot more. We’ve lagged badly behind plants and animals and settled for scientific names in lots of “common” situations. But I think we’re finally moving toward catching up.

In what ways do you think this book contributes to the larger conversation and understanding of the role of fungi in our ecosystem?

This book isn’t about ecology, it’s about identification. It’s a tool for identifying fungi, as well as an unusual way to see how diverse the forms you can find and identify are. I hope it does what any field guide does, which is to sacrifice a bit of mystery in exchange for some familiarity, fun, or beauty. I’m really happy with Roo’s illustrations, because they provide all three. Some fungi are important, and all fungi interact with other species, but not everything about fungi is important, or about the other species. If you enjoy this book, I think it has done its job.

An image with the Nature Study Guide Finders series book covers lined up.

Find the entire Nature Study Guide Finders series at naturestudy.com.

dorcas miller book covers blog

Bird Nest Finder Exclusive: Interview With Expert Dorcas S. Miller

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An image of 6 book covers of Winter Weed Finder, Berry Finder, Constellation Finder, Track Finder, Bird Nest Finder, and Scat Finder from author Dorcas S. Miller.

Dorcas S. Miller, founding president of the Maine Master Naturalist Program, is the author and illustrator of Bird Nest Finder, in addition to more than a dozen other nature guides in the Finders series, including Track Finder, Scat Finder, Winter Weed Finder, Berry Finder, and Constellation Finder. Her Finders books have sold over half a million copies. Bird Nest Finder is her newest one, released in October 2024.

What inspired you to write Bird Nest Finder?

When the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued a permit to a naturalist training program that I helped start, we could legally collect and use a variety of specimens—-including nests—in our programs. I bought a popular nest book replete with color photographs but without a key. I also found an out-of-print 1949 publication with an extensive key but no photos or illustrations. Both books were challenging to use. My goal was to develop a user-friendly guide with keys and illustrations.

What prompted you to focus on aboveground bird’s nests in eastern North America?

Two reasons: Ground-level nests are so well camouflaged that they are much harder to find. Plus, Finder books are only 64 pages long, so there simply wasn’t room for both ground-level and aboveground nests. I couldn’t even include all aboveground nests, so I chose to focus on common (and sometimes charismatic) species.

What do you think is the most surprising fact about bird’s nests that readers might not be aware of?       

A Migratory Bird Special Purpose Salvage permit (issued by the USFWS) is required in order to collect dead migratory birds, bird parts (such as feathers), abandoned nests, and nonviable eggs from the wild for conservation education purposes.

Can you share some challenges you faced while researching and writing this book?

* How to develop a key that would encompass nests that are large and small, beautiful and plain, elaborately constructed and apparently haphazard, camouflaged and in plain sight;

* How to convey with pen and ink both the details (grass, twigs, fluff, lichen, plastic, wasp’s-nest paper, etc.) and the gestalt of each nest;

* How to include enough—but not too much—written information;

* How to fit everything in a pocket-size format;

* How to blend data and observations collected from naturalists over the course of 100 years with my own observations;

* How to deal with nests that I’ve never seen.

The last challenge sent me on an expedition to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to visit the extensive nest collection at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. There, I was able to observe, measure, take notes on, and sketch nests from all over eastern North America.

How do you envision your book being used by readers in the field?

I hope that the book helps people learn about where and how birds build their nests, then gain a greater understanding of the inter-connections of the natural world.

Could you discuss any memorable encounters or discoveries during your field research for this book?

The nests that tell a story are particularly memorable. In the woods behind my house, I found two unbroken, 1.1×0.8-inch white eggs resting on the flattish surface of a 3-foot stub covered with pine needles. No birds fluttered near the scene. Two days later, both eggs had disappeared. What happened here? White eggs of this size and in this setting pointed to the mourning dove, which builds a minimal nest, usually with a few haphazard twigs and grasses. A predator—likely one of the ubiquitous squirrels but perhaps a raccoon, skunk, or fisher—had dropped by for an egg-y hors d’oeuvre.

The winter wren regularly uses niches in the upturned roots and dirt of a blown-down tree. Time and time again I checked blown-downs without success. Then, as I walked along a trail with friends, I glanced at a fallen tree and two fist-size cavities in the roots caught my eye. One had a floor of grasses and moss; the edges of the hole were crisp. The other floor contained vegetation, but the entrance was worn and some bits of moss had dribbled down the roots. What happened here? A male wren had started both nests; the female chose one and added the lining. As she flew in and out with food, her wings brushed against and rounded the niche edges, transporting some materials past the lip.

Do you have any advice for aspiring naturalists or those interested in contributing to bird conservation?

* Volunteer. Some time ago, I banded land birds for two months (fall migration) at a bird observatory. I helped support long-term research and I learned so much. You might not have that much time, but if you can identify accurately, you might spend a day collecting information for the annual Christmas Bird Count, a blitz to tabulate every bird and species within a specified time in a defined area. Your local bird club can provide details. In the process, you’ll spend time with other passionate birders.

* If you have a backyard, check for invasive plants and take steps to limit or eradicate them. These species can choke out native species that serve as host nests. If you don’t have a yard, help an organization that does. This past summer, I volunteered with individuals from a local land trust who wielded machetes and scythes, cutting back highly invasive Japanese knotweed. The team had cut twice already (to sap plant strength); professional application of an herbicide would follow, as would replanting with native vegetation. There was a stark difference between before and after; I felt my contribution was making a difference.

* Check out conservation organizations and join one or two. These organizations are likely to have a list of projects for volunteers, so you can contribute time and learn a lot.

book covers of all the Nature Study Guide books lined up in rows.

The Nature Study Guide Finders Series was started by May T. Watts in the 1930s. The series has been updated, with one group released in October 2024 and the rest of the series to be released in April 2025. Go to naturestudy.com to learn more.

photo by Michael McNamara page 59 of Small Homes.

Tiny and Small Homes Achieve More than a Simple Lifestyle

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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.

Lake view from Small Home
“…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

Interior of one of the many Small Homes featured in the book
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.”  

Small Homes book cover

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.

This post is part of a series launching Shelter Publication‘s addition to AdventureKEEN.

blackwaters film Dudley Edmondson, film director Chad Brown, and Molly Merkle

‘Blackwaters’ Film Showing in Atlanta

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blackwaters film Dudley Edmondson, film director Chad Brown, and Molly Merkle
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 panel discussion
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.
Dudley Edmondson and Molly Merkle in conversation with cast member Jahmicah Dawes, president of Slim Pickins Outfitters in Central Texas.

Judie Johnson – Turning Points in Nature

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Black and Brown Faces Title
BlackandBrownFaces_SeriesOpener

In 2006 Dudley Edmundson conducted a series of interviews with African American outdoors-people that culminated in the book Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. 

A lot has changed, in the world, and around the United States, in the 17 years since Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places was first published. Yet, when reading through the interviews, it is easy to see the common themes and energy that link all of their experiences with the growing outdoor community who LOOK like them and share their passion for nature and the outdoors.

Over the coming months we will be sharing the interviews from Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places here on our blog, and we hope you can find your voice to add to those celebrating their passion for the outdoors.

Judie Johnson

The following excerpt is taken from an interview with Judie Johnson back in the early 2000’s when she was the Executive Director, Gunflint Trail Association.

I am the Executive Director of the Gunflint Trail Association in northeastern Minnesota. The Gunflint is a vacation destination for people from around the region and the world. The 57-mile paved highway goes north out of Grand Marais, Minnesota, through some of the most beautiful wilderness areas you may ever see, and turns west, ending on Saganaga Lake near the Canadian border. People visit the trail to access the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. There is so much to do off the Gunflint at any time of the year, including fishing, camping and hiking and skiing in the winter. You can watch wildlife at all times of the year. Moose, bears, wolves, deer and a host of other cool animals make the area their home. The best part about my job is telling tourists how to have fun in a place that I love.

By most people’s standards, Grand Marais would seem very remote. Most of what we do here is outdoors. Closest movie theater or shopping mall is 75 miles away. I tell people, “There is Lake Superior, it’s right there in front of you. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world, and you can’t find anything to do?”

Childhood Experiences and Turning Points in Nature

As a child growing up in Chicago, Illinois, in the Lake Meadows area, I got to experience a lot of Chicago’s Lake Michigan waterfront and some of the parks there.

My father’s parents lived on a farm near Alton, Illinois, close to St. Louis, until their deaths, so we were at the farm quite a bit. My father and my grandfather and uncles would be on tractors, so I would be out there watching them work or following them around. It was a working farm—cows, chickens, horses and pigs. They raised most of their food. We got to do all those living-off-the-land things that most kids don’t get to do. The area where my grandparents farm was and is still a little wild, but with urban sprawl I think it will all be gone in a decade or so, which is kind of sad.

Our family took vacations a lot during my childhood, which a lot of blacks did not get to do back then. We would go for two to three weeks. We would camp and stay in hotels. My sister and I read National Geographic, so we would plan vacations using information in them. We traveled all over. We were a curious family, wanting to see things we had never seen before—my parents nurtured that.

One year we took a trip from Chicago across the country to Yellowstone National Park, the Painted Desert, Mesa Verde National Park and a few other places. We visited my father’s brother and my mother’s aunt in L.A. Then we went up the coast and camped at Big Sur. Then we went to the Hearst Castle of W. Randolph Hearst, the millionaire, in San Simeon. There was a black guy there who was a tour guide and he gave us a private tour, so that was pretty cool. After that we went up to San Francisco. From there we stopped at Yellowstone, the Tetons, then through the Badlands of the Dakotas, eventually making our way back to Chicago. We stayed at a lot of national parks and some state parks.

On another trip we visited Lake Louise in Jasper, Canada, then went out on the Athabaska Glacier. I was so excited that my heart was going a mile a minute when we got out of the snow tracker, the vehicle that they take you out on the glacier in. They told us all about the formation of the glacier. As the guide was talking, I could see over in the distance there was a group of people. So I told my father, “Let’s go see who they are.” So we went over, and I was pleased to find out it was none other than a National Geographic magazine crew out working on an upcoming project. So I, of course, was extremely excited, to say the least. I got to talk with them and find out what they did and why they were over there. They sent me a special reprint of that copy of the magazine, which was really cool.

What I Do in the Outdoors

I actually bought land here, knowing that some day I wanted to move here. One day I was sitting at home in Minneapolis trolling their local paper and there was the Gunflint Trail Association director job. I thought to myself, “OK, by the time I am ready to move up there, something like this is bound to come up open again.” So my sister called me on the last day they were accepting applications for that job and said, “If you don’t apply, I will get an old copy of your resume and send it in.” I said, “OK, fine,” and I faxed in a current version of my resume to the office. I got a call within a few hours of sending the fax. Long story short, they made me an offer. So I accepted the job.

I remembered my mother telling me that when I was 10 years old I returned from a summer camp in Wisconsin and announced that I was moving to the woods when I grew up. So when I moved up here to Grand Marais, it was no shock to her. I am pretty sure I am the only black woman living in the whole town. People asked my mom, “What is wrong with Judie?” And she told them, “Judie told me she was moving to the woods a long time ago, and now she has finally done it.”

 

 

Cheryl Armstrong: The future of conservation depends on diversity

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Black and Brown Faces Title
BlackandBrownFaces_SeriesOpener

In 2006 Dudley Edmundson conducted a series of interviews with African American outdoors-people that culminated in the book Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. 

A lot has changed, in the world, and around the United States, in the 17 years since Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places was first published. Yet, when reading through the interviews, it is easy to see the common themes and energy that link all of their experiences with the growing outdoor community who LOOK like them and share their passion for nature and the outdoors.

Over the coming months we will be sharing the interviews from Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places here on our blog, and we hope you can find your voice to add to those celebrating their passion for the outdoors.

Diversity with Cheryl Armstrong

Cheryl Armstrong, President and CEO,
James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club
Denver, Colorado

Heroes and Mentors

The most important mentor in my life was my father. I guess you could describe him as a black Ernest Hemingway. He was a big game hunter and trophy fisherman; he was way ahead of his time. We traveled all around the world during my childhood and did outdoor activities as far back as I can remember.

We would travel to Mexico for fishing and traveled to different countries around the world visiting historic places, climbing the pyramids in Mexico—you name it, we did it. My father traveled to Africa quite a bit in the late 1950s as a big game hunter; he would go on safari there. He also wrote and was a civil and women’s rights leader and a great speaker, too. I had a great mentor in my father.

Minorities in Our Wild Places

I don’t think that African Americans and other people of color spend enough time in the outdoors. The reason, I believe, is because they just don’t have the opportunities and access to do so. Getting into the outdoors oftentimes requires transportation and many urban residents do not have reliable transportation. Another factor is that it takes a certain amount of know-how and equipment to do these things. Many of them simply cannot afford it, nor do they have the skill sets to be able to safely do things like camp or backpack. In order to get that knowledge, they need access to a program or organization like the Beckwourth Mountain Club.

Youth and Wilderness

One of the rewarding parts of running the Beckwourth outdoor and youth program here is experiencing firsthand the joy and awe of children who come through our program. This is Denver and we come very close to the front range of the Rocky Mountains, with its alpine lakes and flower-filled meadows within an hour or so of the city. However, 87 percent of the children who come through our program, although born and raised in Denver, have never been to the mountains and seen this breathtaking scenery. Most of them have never experienced what it is like to climb along a mountain trail or have never been camping. Oftentimes when they first have this experience of an overnight of camping, or seeing the night sky away from the city, the looks on their faces are truly remarkable.

This is a long-term mentoring program that is not just a one-time camp-out or one-week trip; kids can sign up in our program as early as age 8 and remain in our program until they are age 18, and even after that they can come back and work as part-time program assistants and also as youth leaders. A big part of the program is to not only introduce urban youth to the outdoors, but to seek youths who really enjoy the outdoors, key in on those particular kids and encourage them to pursue careers in natural resources fields. We help young people with career prep, college scholarships, and summer internships with national partners such as the Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and others who are interested in diversifying their workforce. 

The keyword is “diversifying.” Everybody is jumping on the bandwagon because they realize that the population demographics in the country are changing, and if we don’t impress upon this younger and more diverse generation the importance of protecting our wilderness areas, then we are all going to be in trouble. It’s very important to pass on those ethics and foster stewardship with our young people. Plus it is important to show them, contrary to what most city residents think, that the outdoors and outdoor activities can be enjoyed by everyone, not just by wealthy or middle-class white people.

Best Outdoor Experiences and Favorite Places

My favorite outdoor activity is and always has been horseback riding. I have been riding since I was five years old and still love it. Being on the back of a horse on a trail, climbing up into the mountains and wilderness areas of Colorado makes me feel like I am truly at home. Camping out under the stars and seeing the beauty of the constellations with no light pollution from cities puts me in a whole other state of mind. It relaxes me and takes away all the stress that I may have had. Nothing makes me feel the same way; nothing is even comparable.

Some of my more memorable experiences in the outdoors with my father and my family include touring the ruins of the fabulous city Angkor Wat in Cambodia and climbing the pyramids in the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, Chichen Itza, on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. I remember holding a huge python in Algiers, Morocco, and watching a ceremonial snake dance with live cobras. We also rode camels at sunset in the desert there; it was just beautiful. We rode elephants while in Thailand and Cambodia. My father enjoyed life and enjoyed world travel, and he has given me outdoor experiences I will never forget. I feel very fortunate.

Here in the United States, some of my more memorable experiences include seeing the Grand Canyon at sunrise. And seeing a female grizzly with her cubs and, on the same morning, a wolf pack in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. In New Mexico I took a night hike at the cliff dwelling of Bandolier National Monument. We saw thousands and thousands of bats emerging from their caves at dusk.

But my favorite place to spend time outdoors is in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. I say that even though I have traveled all over the world and seen some pretty incredible places. I have been in just about every state in this country, which includes visits to several national parks and state parks, but for me nothing can compare with the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Being a Face of Color in Remote Places

On field trips with youth groups here in Colorado, the children always notice that whenever we go somewhere hiking or camping, people stare at us. White people stare at our groups of African American or Latino youth or adults—it happens with our group every time we go on a field trip, simply because they are not accustomed to seeing people of color in the outdoors. There is also a certain amount of prejudice in some of the rural areas that we go to, which includes unfriendly and rude staring that is probably meant to intimidate us. The kids always ask why people are staring at them, and we tell them it is because they are special. Our program is very disciplined and structured, and we teach the children to conduct themselves in a very respectable manner so their behavior does not warrant the attention they get.

Environmental Advocacy and the Future

Stewardship might be the most important part of our program here in the Beckwourth Mountain Club. I am very proud of the fact that we not only teach our young people about the environment, but we also teach them the importance of protecting, preserving and managing this country’s natural resources. We do that by partnering with national organizations like the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Parks and other organizations. Every long trip we do with the youth program also incorporates work projects. The kids not only learn that it is fun being in the outdoors, but they also have to learn how to protect the environment—how to restore trails, how to restore and protect natural habitats—and they learn about different ecosystems and how they function.

I do many presentations about the Beckwourth Mountain Club and its efforts to increase diversity in the outdoors. I have traveled to national conferences around the country as a guest speaker for seminars, panels and workshops. One comment I frequently hear from non-people-of-color never ceases to amuse me—“I didn’t know groups like yours existed!” People of color, whether they are Black, Latino or American Indian, have always had a deep connection to the land. It is part of their culture. They lived on the land, and they survived by living off of the land. It has only been in the last 100 years or so that people of color have become urbanized.

Another frequent comment I hear comes from environmental groups. They are surprised about the results of recent surveys. The surveys showed that people of color who reside in urban areas: (1) want their children to be exposed to the outdoors; (2) are very supportive of protecting the environment; and (3) look forward to opportunities to get into the outdoors. Why should this be surprising? Why would urban residents and people of color not want these opportunities for themselves and their children? 




An interview with author Ryan Jacobson – Adventure Publications

An interview with author Ryan Jacobson – Adventure Publications

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There is a wonderful post by the Adventure Publications team sharing Up Where the Stars Are, by Ryan Jacobson and with art by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde. Click through to read about author Ryan Jacobson’s inspiration and writing process. Plus, check out the AMAZING images from the artwork in the book. The book will be out April 11, 2023 and it is available for pre-order now.

Cover design by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde

Cheryl Johnson: Creating outdoor opportunities for BIPOC youth

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Black and Brown Faces Title
BlackandBrownFaces_SeriesOpener

In 2006 Dudley Edmundson conducted a series of interviews with African American outdoors-people that culminated in the book Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. 

A lot has changed, in the world, and around the United States, in the 17 years since Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places was first published. Yet, when reading through the interviews, it is easy to see the common themes and energy that link all of their experiences with the growing outdoor community who LOOK like them and share their passion for nature and the outdoors.

Over the coming months we will be sharing the interviews from Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places here on our blog, and we hope you can find your voice to add to those celebrating their passion for the outdoors.

Black and Brown faces

Cheryl Armstrong, President and CEO,
James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club
Denver, Colorado

The James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club was named after a famous biracial African American, James Pierson Beckwourth. He was a true legend of the West.

He was born in 1798 in Fredericksburg County, Virginia, to a white plantation owner and one of his African American female slaves. They moved to Missouri when Jim was about six years old, because they wanted to stay together, and it was easier at that time to do that there than it was in Virginia. Beckwourth was raised in Missouri. He was taught to read, as were all of his siblings. He was apprenticed to a blacksmith so he would have a trade. Around 23 years of age he was fortunate enough to meet General William Ashley, who founded the Rocky Mountain Fur Trading Company. Beckwourth joined the company as a hunter, and over his long fascinating life he was, among other things, a frontiersman and an exceptional explorer. In 1850 he discovered a pass over the Sierra Nevada Mountains that would lead pioneers into the Sacramento Valley of California.

He also saved the life of General Zachary Taylor, who later became President of the United States. Beckwourth was also war chief of the Crow Indian nation. He was adopted into the tribe and he pretty much lived with the Crow for many years. He spoke a multitude of Native American dialects as well as being fluent in English, Spanish and French. He was also one of the co-founders of the city of Pueblo, Colorado.

Our organization named itself in honor of Jim Beckwourth because of his contributions to the West and also because he was a real trailblazer and adventurous guy. We like to think that we honor some of that spirit of adventure and his legacy in our organization.

Childhood Experiences and Turning Points in Nature

I was born in Detroit, Michigan. My father’s side of the family was one of the original black families in Michigan. They founded the first Episcopal churches. My childhood was pretty unusual for African Americans at the time. My father was a doctor, and his father was a doctor and medical school professor, and education had gone on and been a tradition in my family for generations and generations. I guess you could say I had a very affluent childhood.

We had a house in Detroit where my father practiced medicine and proudly served inner city residents. He also had a home in Canada, across the river right on Lake Saint Clair. So I grew up canoeing, swimming and hunting in the summer. I fished and explored the woods around our home in Canada. My father had a boat and we got to water ski and do all of the traditional water sports. We would ice skate on the lake in the winter.

I grew up being a very athletic girl. I loved sports and the outdoors and being in the woods, immersed in nature. I loved being under the open night sky more than anything—it was good for the soul then, and it is good for the soul now.

What I Do in the Outdoors

I have been involved with the Beckwourth Club since I moved to Denver in 1995. In 1998 we started a formal program called the Beckwourth Outdoor Education Center, specifically to take urban youth into the outdoors for hiking, fishing, camping, backpacking, snowshoeing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking. We teach them mapping and compass skills as well as self-arrest training and leadership skills.

The reason we started the Beckwourth Mountain Club (it was formed in 1993) was because of our passion to bring the outdoors to inner city youth and residents. The organization is run by a terrific group of almost 60 volunteers, predominantly by people of color. They act as mentors, chaperones, hike leaders, instructors and historical reenactors. They mentor not only the young kids in the organization, but also the adults that come to our center that are new to the outdoors.

The membership is open to everyone and is about 65 percent African American, 25 percent Latino, and the remaining is mixed race, multi-race, Asian, Anglo and all combinations thereof. Membership is for families, singles and seniors. We do outdoor activities every single weekend, from easy day hikes, to climbs of Colorado’s peaks. We also do upscale trips such as orca watching on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, and trips to national parks such as Acadia in Maine and Yellowstone in Wyoming. The idea is to make these national parks and wilderness areas available to a broader population.

I also do a great deal of fundraising. That’s my job—I am the money beggar! I am the grant writer and public relations person. I travel around the country heading up panel discussions and workshops, doing presentations on our program. I guess you could say I wear about 15 different hats around here.

I spent many years in the legal profession, but eight years ago I was able to break away and do what I truly love and have a passion for. There is no comparison salary-wise between working for a nonprofit organization and being in the legal profession, but I would not do anything else even if you gave me a million dollars. I enjoy running this organization and doing what we do for the community.

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