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Swamp Rat: The Story of Dixie's Nutria Invasion (America's Third Coast Series)
by Theodore G. MannoTheodore G. Manno traces the history of nutria from their natural range in South America to their status as an invasive species known for destroying the environmentally and economically important wetlands along the Gulf Coast. In this definitive book on “swamp rats,” Manno vividly recounts western expansion and the explosion of the American fur industry. Then he details an apocalyptic turn—to replace an overhunted beaver population in North America, humans introduced nutria. With an eclectic repertoire of true stories that read like fiction and are played out by larger-than-life characters, Manno conveys the legend of empire-seeking fur trappers, the bizarre miscommunications that led to nutria releases, and the sadness that comes with killing millions of nutria whose ancestors were never meant to leave their South American habitat. He tells of disastrous interactions among hungry nutria, storm surges from Hurricane Katrina, and major oil spills. His extensively researched and epic narrative, accompanied by more than thirty photographs and entertaining interviews with biologists, historians, fashion designers, and chefs, weaves a poignant tale of empire, conquest, fortune, and even Tabasco Sauce. Manno provides a full overview of what is currently known about nutria—a species now aggressively hunted with a bounty program because of their reputation for wetland destruction.
Swamp Souths: Literary and Cultural Ecologies
by Scott Romine Keely Byars-Nichols William Tynes Cowan Rain Prud'Homme-Cranford Josh-Wade Ferguson Hannah Godwin Peter Jay Ingrao Joseph Kuhn Lauren E. LaFauci John Wharton Lowe Rebecca Mark Jessica Martell Matthew E. Suazo Matthew Sutton Susan Thananopavarn Mitch Therieau Zackary VernonSwamp Souths: Literary and Cultural Ecologies expands the geographical scope of scholarship about southern swamps. Although the physical environments that form its central subjects are scattered throughout the southeastern United States—the Atchafalaya, the Okefenokee, the Mississippi River delta, the Everglades, and the Great Dismal Swamp—this evocative collection challenges fixed notions of place and foregrounds the ways in which ecosystems shape cultures and creations on both local and global scales. Across seventeen scholarly essays, along with a critical introduction and afterword, Swamp Souths introduces new frameworks for thinking about swamps in the South and beyond, with an emphasis on subjects including Indigenous studies, ecocriticism, intersectional feminism, and the tropical sublime. The volume analyzes canonical writers such as William Faulkner, Zora Neale Hurston, and Eudora Welty, but it also investigates contemporary literary works by Randall Kenan and Karen Russell, the films Beasts of the Southern Wild and My Louisiana Love, and music ranging from swamp rock and zydeco to Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade. Navigating a complex assemblage of places and ecosystems, the contributors argue with passion and critical rigor for considering anew the literary and cultural work that swamps do. This dynamic collection of scholarship proves that swampy approaches to southern spaces possess increased relevance in an era of climate change and political crisis.
Swamper: Letters from a Louisiana Swamp Rabbit
by Amy Griffin OuchleySwamper, a fictitious swamp rabbit, lives in the bottomland hardwood forest, or overflow swamp, which is a very real environment. In twelve "letters" addressed to his human friends, Swamper shares his vivid observations about life in a Louisiana swamp. With excitement and captivating detail, he explains ecological concepts such as food webs, energy flow, decomposition, and reproduction. He recounts adventures like escaping his predators, the great horned owl and the red fox, and swimming for his life after a flood forces him to find higher ground. The alert swamp rabbit even describes the seasonal migration of birds and the monthly phases of the moon. While educating students about the interconnected life cycles found in a natural habitat, Swamper's first-hand account of the richness and value of the wetlands will also help young readers develop a deeper appreciation for this delicate ecosystem. Though written for all ages to enjoy, the content specifically aligns with life science and environmental science educational standards for 4th through 7th grades. Also Includes:A glossary of key termsQuestions and a creative activity for each letterBiologically accurate drawings of animals and habitatColor photographs of the environmentSupplementary online resources for teachers and parents
Swamplife: People, Gators, and Mangroves Entangled in the Everglades (A Quadrant Book)
by Laura A. OgdenLittle in North America is wilder than the Florida Everglades—a landscape of frightening reptiles, exotic plants in profusion, swarms of mosquitoes, and unforgiving heat. And yet, even from the early days of taming the wilderness with clearing and drainage, the Everglades has been considered fragile, unique, and in need of restorative interventions. Drawing on a decade of fieldwork with hunters in the Everglades, Laura A. Ogden explores the lives and labors of people, animals, and plants in this most delicate and tenacious ecosystem.Today, the many visions of the Everglades—protectionist, ecological, commercial, historical—have become a tangled web of contradictory practices and politics for conservation and for development. Yet within this entanglement, the place of people remains highly ambivalent. It is the role of people in the Everglades that interests Ogden, as she seeks to reclaim the landscape&’s long history as a place of human activity and, in doing so, discover what it means to be human through changing relations with other animals and plant life. Ogden tells this story through the lives of poor rural whites, gladesmen, epitomized in tales of the Everglades&’ most famous outlaws, the Ashley Gang. With such legends and lore on one side, and outsized efforts at drainage and development on the other, Swamplife strikes a rare balance, offering a unique insight into the hidden life of the Everglades—and into how an appreciation of oppositional culture and social class operates in our understanding of wilderness in the United States.
Swampwalker's Journal: A Wetlands Year
by David M. CarrollDavid Carroll has dedicated his life to art and to wetlands. He is as passionate about swamps, bogs, and vernal ponds and the creatures who live in them as most of us are about our families and closest friends. He knows frogs and snakes, muskrats and minks, dragonflies, water lilies, cattails, sedges--everything that swims, flies, trudges, slithers, or sinks its roots in wet places. In this "intimate and wise book" (Sue Hubbell), Carroll takes us on a lively, unforgettable yearlong journey, illustrated with his own elegant drawings, through the wetlands and reveals why they are so important to his life and ours -- and to all life on Earth.
Swan: Portrait of a Majestic Bird, from Mythical Meanings to the Modern Day
by Dan KeelBook of the Month, Countryside magazine‘[this] fascinating new book… provides a detailed insight into the snow-white species’ Waterways WorldA wildlife writer and photographer’s celebration of the mute swan, Britain’s most iconic breed, exploring the bird’s significance across myth and history alongside vivid observations on its habits and habitats.The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. The mute swan – with its orange beak and aura of stately silence – is the breed we know best in Britain.Dan Keel has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He’s spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a pilot sharing the skies.In this labour of love, Dan speaks up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future. Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans.Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan’s story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.
The Swan: A Biography (The Bird Biography Series #4)
by Stephen MossFrom the renowned naturalist Stephen Moss comes the must-have gift for bird lovers this Christmas. 'Wherever there is a stretch of water for them to find food and make their nest, you will come across swans' With beautiful illustrations throughout, this eye-opening biography reveals the hidden secrets of one of Britain's best-known birds. The Mute Swan is not so much a bird, as a national treasure: the avian equivalent of Sir David Attenborough or the Queen. These huge and stately creatures are part of our urban and rural landscapes, a constant presence on lakes, rivers and ponds throughout Britain. Yet despite their familiarity, they are often misunderstood; and while many people love swans, others fear them. Swans also feature in myths and legends, art and literature, dance and music, not just in Britain but all around the world. Stephen Moss delves into the facts and fiction about these charismatic birds, describes their seasonal life cycle and examines their central role in our history and culture. He also includes stories about 'wild swans' - Whooper and Bewicks - that visit us in winter; and the Black Swan of Australia. 'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham 'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily Mail
Swan
by Mary OliverWidely regarded as the "rock star" of American poetry, Mary Oliver is a writer whose words have long had the power to move countless readers. Regularly topping the national poetry best-seller list and drawing thousands to her sold-out readings across the coutnry, Oliver is unparalleled in her impact. As noted in the Los Angeles Times, so many "go to her for solace, regeneration and inspiration" that it is not surprising Vice President Joe Biden chose to read one of her poems during the 9/11 remembrance at Ground Zero. Few poets express the complexities of human experience as skillfully as Mary Oliver. This volume, Oliver's twenty-first book of poetry, contains all new poems on her classic themes. Here, readers will find the deep spiritual sustenance that imbues her writing on nature, love, mortality, and grief. As always, Oliver is an accomplished guide to the rarest and most exquisite insights of the natural world. Ranking "among the finest poets the English language has ever produced," according to the Weekly Standard, Oliver offers us lyrics of great depth and beauty that continue her lifelong work of loving the world.
The Swan Family: Individual Student Edition Blue (levels 9-11)
by Beverley RandellA Father swan protects his family with his neck, feathers, and wide wing span. Swan Family Grade 1: Rigby PM Plus Blue, Student Reader (Level 10)
Swans (Nature's Children)
by Tim HarrisDescribes the physical characteristics, habits, and habitats of swans.
Swans (WorldLife Library)
by Dafila ScottIn many legends and myths, swans represent beauty, purity. Dafila Scott details everything from the appearances of these graceful creatures in myth to their ecology and life history. All eight kinds of swans are described, including information on their distribution worldwide, their population sizes, and features unique to each species. The book also introduces breeding, migration, social behavior, and mortality, along with conservation, domestication, and management issues. Gorgeous color photographs accompany the text.
Swarm Planning
by Rob RoggemaThis book shows that the problem of climate adaptation, which is described in social planning terms as 'wicked,' is at odds with the contemporary practice of spatial planning. The author proposes a new adjusted framework which is more adaptable to unpredictable, wicked, dynamic and non-linear processes. The inspiration for this new method is the behaviour of swarms: bees, ants, birds and fish are capable of self-organization, which enables the system to become less vulnerable to sudden environmental changes. The framework proposed in Swarm Planning consists of these four elements: Two levels of complexity, the first being the whole system and the second its individual components. Each of these has different attributes for adapting to change. Five layers, consisting of networks, focal points, unplanned space, natural resources and emerging occupation patterns. Each layer has its own spatial dynamic, and each is connected to a spatial scale. Non-linear processes, which emerge in different parts of the framework and include emerging patterns, connectedness and tipping points among others. Two planning processes; the first, 'from small to large' works upward from the slowest changing elements to more rapidly-changing ones. The second, 'on the list of partners' addresses each layer from networks through emerging occupation patterns. Swarm Planning applies this framework to a series of pilot studies, and appraises its performance using criteria for an adaptive landscape. The results show that the use of the Swarm Planning Framework reduces the vulnerability of landscapes as well as the impact of climate hazards and disasters, improves response to unexpected hazards and contains adaptation strategies. "This book is a must for planners in government and the private sector as it outlines the concept, strategies and techniques for swarm planning. It is also an important guide for policymakers looking to engage communities in a dialogue about the adaptation planning process. " Professor John Martin, La Trobe University "The ultimate value of the book lies in encouraging the planning community to consider options that go far beyond those offered by business-as-usual planning methodologies developed for a set of operating conditions that are fast becoming obsolete. As such it makes an important and much needed contribution to the field. " Assistant Professor Dr. Chrisna du Plessis, University of Pretoria
Swarming Landscapes
by Rob RoggemaThis book advocates a fresh approach to planning that anticipates, rather than reacts to, the changes in climate currently in process. Today's spatial planning procedures rely on historical evidence instead of preparing for factors that by definition lie in the future, yet which are relatively uncontroversial: shortages of water, sea level rise and rises in average temperatures being but three examples. Arguing for more flexibility, the contributors view 'complexity' as the key to transforming the way we plan in order to better equip us to face uncertainties about our future environment.
Sweet Afton
by Clent MooreA Shipwrecked Business Man Is Now Forced To Come to Terms With Hiself.Looking at John Callaway's life from a distance, some might say that he's "living the dream." At the helm of a successful development company built by his father years before, business success follows him, and Atlanta society has been good to his family. But in a flash, ominous skies overtake the calm seas of his charmed world and threaten to capsize his life. Long past are the lazy summer days on the shores of Tybee Island, where everything was once so simple and pure, where he met the love of his life, Molly-the love that now seems to be slipping from his grasp. He wants that simplicity again, but is he too far gone? Is there a way back? As the uncertainty of John Callaway's fate unfolds in the wake of shipwreck, he is forced to explore the deepest desires of his heart while racing against time and nature to save not only his own life-but also his family.
The Sweet Breathing of Plants: Women Writing on the Green World
by Linda Hogan Brenda PetersonA few chapters are: A Passion for Plants--Susan Orlean, Orchid Fever--Sharman Russell, Smelling Like A Rose--Isabel Allen, Ode to Mold--Linda Hasselstrom, Mulch--Zora Neale Hurston, and my favorite: The Language of flowers by Claudia Lewis, in which we learn how the Victorians carried out their love correspondence solely with flowers. This is a fascinating book.
Sweet Child of Mine: A Caroline Jayne Church Treasury
by Caroline Jayne Church“[A] gentle tribute to love, whose lilting rhymes underscore a parent’s love no matter the time of day, season, or weather” from the bestselling author (Publishers Weekly).I love you in the crisp white snow that quietly fills the sky, I love you in the stormy air when strong dark clouds pass by. Caroline Jayne Church returns with an emotional story that proves no matter how much things in life change, one thing lasts forever: a parent’s love.With Caroline’s signature art style and heartwarming rhymes, Sweet Child of Mine is destined to stand the test of time.
Sweet Dreamers
by Isabelle SimlerA gorgeous bedtime book from an award-winning creatorFrom the celebrated creator of Plume and The Blue Hour comes another enchanting animal book. Countless cozy animals are settling in for the night, but they all sleep in different ways. A bat dreams upside down, a hedgehog snuggles into a pile of leaves, and a humpback whale spins in its sleep like a ballerina.With its poetic language and lush illustrations, Sweet Dreamers will dazzle young readers as they drift off to sleep themselves.
Sweet Eats for All: 250 Decadent Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipes--from Candy to Cookies, Puff Pastries to Petits Fours
by Allyson KramerThe Definitive Guide to (Gluten-Free Vegan) Dessert is the go-to allergy-free dessert book-from candy to cookies, puff pastries to petits fours, this is the essential book for creating decadent allergy friendly treats. With over 250 recipes, illustrated chapters on Basic Equipment and Tips and Common Conversions for both Omnivore and Glutenous Ingredients, and chapter openers discussing and illustrating techniques related to the recipes, this book boasts a comprehensive guide to making delicious desserts for any diet. Since multiple allergens are common among people who follow vegan and gluten-free diets, each recipe will be clearly labeled as soy free, nut free, corn free, refined sugar free, low fat, or bean free, and each recipe provides complete nutrition information to help you watch your intake while indulging.
Sweet Friday Island
by Theodore TaylorVacationing on what they think is an uninhabited island, fifteen-year-old Peg and her father find their adventure turned into a fight for survival.
Sweet Peas and Honeybees
by Éva Chatelain Jenny MeyerhoffAnna and her friends throw a Summer Bee Bash in the fourth book in the Friendship Garden series.The Friendship Garden summer program is in full swing. The summer session, called Sweet Peas and Honeybees, is going to be all about flowers...and bugs. Anna hates bugs! But her little brother, Colin, loves them. And now he's going to be following Anna around all summer long. B-L-E-C-H. The gardeners also meet Mr. Munoz, a beekeeper who lives nearby. He tells them all about how important bees are to gardens. When Anna finds out that the honeybees are in danger because of colony collapse disorder, she becomes obsessed with saving them. Maybe too obsessed! Kaya, Reed, and Bailey miss seeing Anna, who spends all of her time thinking of ways to rescue honeybees, and not enough time with her friends. At the same time, Anna's little brother, Colin, won't stay out of her way, and Anna just wants him to buzz off. Can Anna save the bees...or will her buzzing new hobby keep her friends far away?
Sweet Valley Blizzard! (Sweet Valley Kids #74)
by Francine Pascal Molly Mia StewartIn the words of 7-year-old Elizabeth Wakefield ... My twin sister Jessica's pen pal from Alaska is coming to visit! We want to make him feel at home. But there's one thing missing: snow! It never snows in Sweet Valley, California. Does it?
The Sweetest Spring (Step into Reading)
by Apple JordanShare the sweetness of spring with Cinderella, Ariel, and all the Disney Princesses in this fun and bouncy Step 2 reader. This delightful story with bright and beautiful illustrations will have budding young princess fans blossoming into wonderful readers.
The Sweetest Summer: Bayberry Island Book 2 (Bayberry Island)
by Susan DonovanNew York Times bestselling author Susan Donovan returns to Bayberry Island, where a bronze mermaid statue could be the cause of heartbreak or everlasting romance for a practical-minded police chief and his first love. Perfect for fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, JoAnn Ross and Jill Shalvis.Every instinct tells Police Chief Clancy Flynn that his island's claim to fame is nothing but a silly tourist attraction. Still, he can't help but wonder if his lifetime of bad romances - starting with the pretty tourist who broke his twelve-year-old heart - could be traced back to a childhood prank involving that very statue...Then one day the pretty tourist comes barrelling back into Bayberry - all grown-up and on the run with her niece. Though Evelyn McGuinness is wanted for kidnapping, she tries to persuade Clancy that there's more to the story. Now the by-the-book police chief must make the toughest decision of his life: to take Evelyn into custody - or into his arms...Don't miss more irresistible Bayberry Island romance with Rowan's story in Sea of Love and Duncan's story in Moondance Beach.
Sweetness & Light: The Mysterious History of the Honeybee
by Hattie EllisThe bee is the most studied creature on the planet after man, and down the ages this insect and its honey have been harnessed by doctors, philosophers, scientists, politicians, artists, writers and architects as both metaphor and material. In her buzzing narrative, Hattie Ellis tells how all these people have found inspiration in the honey bee. We also discover some of the mysterious ways of bees - how they can make up to 24,000 journeys to produce a pound of honey, with each bee producing one teaspoonful in a lifetime; we see how, charmingly, they communicate by dances; and we look under the lid of the hive to find as many as 100,000 bees living and working in total discipline. But we witness their dark side, too - such as the savage, untamed energy of the swarms of killer African bees that are sweeping through America. We also explore some of the many unsolved questions surrounding the honey bee, some of them at the very cutting edge of contemporary medical research. The bee existed long before man; and without bees, we would soon start to die. Hattie Ellis shows us how this small insect can tell us more about ourselves than any other living creature.
The Sweetness of a Simple Life
by Diana Beresford-KroegerThe author of The Global Forest--an international bestseller and a classic upon publication, beloved by readers around the world--gives us her tips and advice for achieving better health and peace of mind, with frugality, simplicity and pleasure not far behind. In The Sweetness of a Simple Life, Diana Beresford-Kroeger mixes science with storytelling, wonderment, magic, myth and plenty of common sense. Orphaned at an early age, Beresford-Kroeger was raised by elderly relatives in Ireland in the Druidic tradition, taught the overlap between the arts and sciences, and the triad of body, mind and spirit. After pursuing a PhD in medical biochemistry, Beresford-Kroeger set out on a quest to preserve the world's forests. In this warm and wise collection of essays, she gives us a guide for living simply and well: which foods to eat and which to avoid; how to clean our homes and look after pets; how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from illness; and why we need to appreciate nature. She provides an easy dose of healing, practical wisdom, blending modern medicine with aboriginal traditions. This inspiring, accessible book emphasizes back to basics, with the touchstone not an exotic religion or meditation practice, but the natural world around us.