"Merve Wilkinson and Wildwood, his small patch of forest, provide powerful evidence that a forest can be logged while its integrity is maintained in perpetuity. In speaking out against current industrial clear-cut logging practices, Merve has become a genuine Canadian hero. Uncompromising, tough, fearless and with a wonderful sense of humour, he is now an elder who inspires young people, who refer to his home as "Mervana." This is a story that should be read by all who care about the future and seek alternatives to our destructive ways." —David Suzuki Over the past decade, thousands of visitors to Wildwood have been profoundly encouraged by what they've witnessed. This has led to a considerable level of national and international acclaim for Merve Wilkinson's silvicultural philosophy and practices. Now the personal story behind these achievements has been told. This excellent book by Goody Niosi provides a compelling portrait of a truly remarkable man." —Duncan M. Taylor

The Order of British Columbia was established in 1989 to recognize and honour ordinary citizens who have made a difference in the lives of others. Goody Niosi offers the stories of 17 of these recipients, from well-known people like Rick Hansen and Robert Bateman to lesser-known heroes, including Dr. Michael O'Shaughnessy, who has dedicated his life to AIDS research; Joan Acosta, who created the revolutionary newspaper The Westcoast Reader and helped adults acquire literacy and language skills; and Ric Careless, who has worked hard to ensure that precious wilderness areas are protected for future generations. Also showcased are Geraldine Braak, Dr. Leonel Perra, Dr. A. Hayward Rogers, Dr. Roger Tonkin, Grace Nielson, Hilda Gregory, Mel Cooper, Richard Hunt, Ross Purse, Takao Tanabe, Tim Frick and Merve Wilkinson. The foreword is written by former Supreme Court Justice Allan McEachern.

Although the war in Afghanistan is now in its endgame, the West’s struggle to eliminate the threat from Al Qaeda is far from over. A decade after 9/11, the war on terror has entered a new phase and, it would seem, a new territory. In early 2010, Al Qaeda operatives were reportedly “streaming” out of central Asia toward Somalia and the surrounding region. Somalia, now home to some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, was already the world’s most failed state. Two decades of anarchy have spawned not just Islamic extremism but piracy, famine, and a seemingly endless clan-based civil war that has killed an estimated 500,000, turned millions into refugees, and caused hundreds of thousands more to flee and settle in Europe and North America. What is now happening in Somalia directly threatens the security of the world, possibly more than any other region on earth. James Fergusson’s book is the first accessible account of how Somalia became the world’s most dangerous place and what we can—and should—do about it.

Finalist, Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing Finalist, Banff Mountain Book Competition Finalist, BC Book Prize Globe and Mail best books of 2018 CBC best Canadian non-fiction of 2018 In the tradition of John Vaillant’s modern classic The Golden Spruce comes a story of the unlikely survival of one of the largest and oldest trees in Canada. On a cool morning in the winter of 2011, a logger named Dennis Cronin was walking through a stand of old-growth forest near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. He came across a massive Douglas fir the height of a twenty-storey building. Instead of allowing the tree to be felled, he tied a ribbon around the trunk, bearing the words “Leave Tree.” The forest was cut but the tree was saved. The solitary Douglas fir, soon known as Big Lonely Doug, controversially became the symbol of environmental activists and their fight to protect the region’s dwindling old-growth forests. Originally featured as a long-form article in The Walrus that garnered a National Magazine Award (Silver), Big Lonely Doug weaves the ecology of old-growth forests, the legend of the West Coast’s big trees, the turbulence of the logging industry, the fight for preservation, the contention surrounding ecotourism, First Nations land and resource rights, and the fraught future of these ancient forests around the story of a logger who saved one of Canada's last great trees.

Contributors: Howard J. Booth, Joseph Bristow, Ellen Crowell, Nick Freeman, Ellis Hanson, Kate Hext, Kirsten MacLeod, Kristin Mahoney, Douglas Mao, Michèle Mendelssohn, Alex Murray, Sarah Parker, Vincent Sherry

Shortlisted for a 2020 BC Yukon Book Prize A 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 history of Vancouver Island. Composed of short, readable essays arranged into 12 monthly chapters, this engaging book reveals the magic and humour of the natural world and reminds us of our place within it. As the weeks and seasons unfold with the turning of the pages, you’ll be in sync with the living world that surrounds you. Discover what berries are ripe and the best time to pick them. Learn why the termites swarm, where the herring spawn, and when the maple leaves fall. Get up close and personal with fascinating creatures like the snowy owl, the giant Pacific octopus, the river otter, and more. The West Coast is abundantly alive, and A Year on the Wild Side invites you to indulge in unforgettable experiences, week by week, all year long.

When the Raging Grannies sprang up in 1987 in Victoria, B.C., they didn't realise they would be starting a worldwide movement. But that is what happened. They just wanted to protest, but in a different way. And they do. Their weapons? Satire and song. Wearing outrageous hats and warbling witty lyrics, they poke fun at the powerful people who are wreaking havoc with their grandchildren's world. But in spite of their lighthearted approach, their purpose is extremely serious. The Grannies have challenged nuclear-armed ships, forestry companies, arms manufacturers, multinational corporations, pharmaceutical giants, manufacturers of war toys, the World Trade Organization, and every level of government, from municipal councils to the American presidency. For their messages of peace and justice, Grannies have been arrested, jailed, pepper-sprayed and even hosed by the U.S. navy. They have also been praised by Ralph Nader, Peter Gzowski, David Suzuki and Pete Seeger, invited to perform far and wide, and hailed as role models. This is an amusing book, showing how groups of older women around the world take on the powers that be, win the occasional battle, and have a wonderful time doing it

Illustrated with lush reproductions of Grant and Nixie's art and photographs of their amazing garden, The Romance Continues is a love story, an art-appreciation adventure and a garden tour, all wrapped up in one gorgeous volume. Nationally known artists Grant Leier and Nixie Barton are also husband and wife, parents and the creators of an astonishing and whimsical garden on Vancouver Island. Their paintings differ greatly, though both artists make extensive use of rich, luminous and vibrant colours, and both are widely admired and collected. Over their long careers, Grant and Nixie have experimented with subjects and styles, and observing the growth and change in their work is fascinating. When they moved to a rural, seven-acre property, they turned their love of colour and sense of fun onto the land, and the rambling, witty garden they created is a visual spectacle that draws thousands of delighted visitors every year.

In the tradition of Annie Dillard and John McPhee, writer and activist Ann Linnea interviews fourteen tree keepers about their life and work saving North America s...

Seniors of the pulp and paper town of Powell River, BC remember two major events in their lives, the Great Depression and WWII. Some have lived 80 + years in the community, others recall events from other Canadian provinces. The were children during the Great Depression and young adults during WWII. A collection of 70 stories.