Rambunctious Garden

August 22, 2011
Science journalist Marris has been reporting on conservation ecology for almost a decade. In her first book, she describes the dynamic changes in conceptual thinking and practical strategies that have been transforming the field in recent years. The realities of development and climate change have left no pristine places anywhere on the planet. Humans have made their mark everywhere. In response to this new set of conditions, environmentalists are moving beyond the goals of restoration and protection to pursue bold new schemes to slow species loss and even, in some cases, create new and dynamic, diverse ecosystems. Marris travels around the globe to remote islands, primeval forests, and northern mountain ranges to visit these innovators. Into her lively reporting, she weaves a fascinating story of the history of environmentalism and the controversies that occupy it today. It's a stimulating examination of the questions of stewardship and the future of our delicate planet that will challenge any simple answers.