Shortlisted for a 2020 BC Yukon Book Prize"Penn documents the sprawling biodiversity that can be found on the West Coast, from orcas to moss to yes, even Bigfoot." —The TyeeA freshly designed, new edition of a funny weekly chronicle that offers a year-long, intimate view of the flora and fauna populating the West Coast.A Year on the Wild Side is a witty commentary on the social and natural...

Based on recorded interviews and journal entries this major biography of Cecil Paul (Wa’xaid) is a resounding and timely saga featuring the trials, tribulations, endurance, forgiveness, and survival of one of North America’s more prominent Indigenous leaders.Born in 1931 in the Kitlope, Cecil Paul, also known by his Xenaksiala name, Wa’xaid, is one of the last fluent speakers of his people’s language. At age ten he was placed in a residential school run by the Unit...

The Real Thing is the first official biography of Ian McTaggart Cowan (1910–2010), the “father of Canadian ecology.” Authorized by his family and with the research support and participation of the University of Victoria Libraries, Briony Penn provides an unprecedented and accessible window into the story of this remarkable naturalist. From his formative years roaming the mountains around Vancouver looking for venison to his last years finishing the voluminous and authoritative

Explore the fascinating world of orcas and their connection to the Pacific Coast. This anthology brings together diverse voices to explore the magic, myths, and ecology of orcas. From Indigenous perspectives to scientific research, discover the complex relationship between humans and these marine mammals.Spirits of the Coast delves into the history, art, and science surrounding orcas, revealing their cultural significance and the challenges they face in a ...

A fascinating compendium of stories chronicling the creation of local nature conservancies, and the people behind them, on seventeen islands on the Salish Sea from the 1990s to the present day.Voices for the Islands brings together the stories and experiences of those who rose to protect areas at risk within their island communities. Narratively linked by author Sheila Harrington’s three-year sailing journey among the islands to interview more than fifty v...