From 1984 through 1995 a small band of ecologists led by Pan Wenshi from Peking University conducted a study of wild giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province. This project was the first Chinese-led conservation project in China and was conducted during a significant transition period in Chinese history, as the country opened its society and science to the world. The project focused on behavioral observation of wild giant pandas, but evolved to include physiology, nutrition, ecology, land-use policy, and population biology as the staff became more aware that the issues with captive pandas (assisted reproduction, unusual diet, and genetic inbreeding) were not the most critical to survival of wild populations. It is evident in this work that, as the scientists gained knowledge, they came to see giant panda conservation as wrapped in landscape ecology and human/wildlife interactions. The group was seminal in the Chinese government's enactment of a logging ban to their study area by advocating for pandas at the national level. The project was summarized in a 2001 volume, but its publication in Mandarin limited its influence on the greater conservation community. This English version of the original work translates, condenses, and refines the original volume, with added contextual chapters on the importance of this volume and how our understanding of giant panda conservation is shaped by this pioneering field work.

A stirring account of courage, hope, and victory, A Chance in the World is the extraordinary story of what is possible when you dare to believe. "Home is the place where our life stories begin. It is where we are understood, embraced, and accepted. It is a sanctuary of safety and security, a place to which we can always return. Down in the dank basement, amidst my moldy, hoarded food and beloved worm-eaten books, I dreamed that my real home, the place where my story had begun, was out there somewhere, and one day I was going to find it." Taken from his mother at age three, Steve Klakowicz lives a terrifying existence. Caught in the clutches of a cruel foster family and subjected to constant abuse, he finds his only refuge in a box of books gifted to him by a kind stranger. In these books, he discovers new worlds he can only imagine and gains hope that one day he might have a different life, that one day he will find his true home. Armed with just a single clue, Steve embarks on an extraordinary quest for his identity, only to find that nothing is as it appears. A Chance in the World is the unbelievable true story of a broken boy destined to become a man of resilience, determination, and vision. Through it all, Steve's story teaches us that no matter how broken our past, we have it in us to create a new beginning and to build a new place, where love awaits.

Over the last forty years, entire countries have been stripped of a primary natural resource: trees. Most of this deforestation occurred to make room for agriculture. Yet, in the coming decade, there will be nearly two billion undernourished people. There is a constant pressure to trade more forests for food. ONE Shot: Trees as Our Last Chance for Survival provides a compelling look at the state of the world's agriculture and its evolving impact on people and the environment. ONE Shot takes readers on an evolving journey from the peanut fields of Africa to the corn fields of America; connecting seven of the world's most pressing challenges to farming practices, and offering the revival of forest gardens as a core agricultural solution. Drawing on fifteen years of humanitarian work with communities on the verge of collapse, John Leary conveys how restoring agricultural lands with a diverse combination of trees and crops is the answer to reversing desertification, water scarcity, hunger, poverty, climate change and forced migration. In the coming decades, we have One Shot to work together to rebuild our dying food systems and ecosystems. Discover how trees are our last chance for survival.

Defend what’s yours when catastrophe strikes with expert tips that go beyond food and water storage. Should a national disaster occur, how will you respond? What will occur when critical societal services cease to function? As a prepper, you will likely be ready to hole up and live off of your stored supplies, at least for a while. But what do you do during that time? What are your next steps? And how do you defend yourself against others who have not prepared for such a disaster? After the Crash covers all the situations that you may face when the lack of governmental infrastructure leads to social upheaval and chaos. Since most of the population is unprepared for a disaster of any kind, this book gives both the trained and untrained prepper valuable information needed to have any chance of survival in a world where organized government assistance may not be available. Importantly, he details the crucial steps you need to take in addition to doing everything other survival manuals advise. These critical tips go beyond stockpiling food, water, and weapons. Offering battle-proven advice, Steve Mattoon explores what it takes to survive alone versus in groups, each approach presenting its own advantages and challenges. Discover how best to defend yourself, what to use, and how to most effectively use the tools you have at your disposal. Whether you find yourself in a rural area or an urban jungle, Steve Mattoon’s After the Crash will prove an essential addition to any prepper’s bug-out bag.

Title: The Last Stand: Stories of Post-Apocalyptic Survival - Series 2 Author: Ime Ben Summary: In The Last Stand: Stories of Post-Apocalyptic Survival - Series 2, the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a world irrevocably altered by a catastrophic event. Set in the decaying city of Veridia, a small group of survivors band together, each bringing unique skills and stories of loss to the collective fight for survival. Led by the determined James Holloway, the group faces relentless daily challenges—from scavenging for food and water to defending themselves against both the hostile environment and marauding groups. As they navigate this brutal landscape, the group learns that survival requires more than just endurance—it demands unity, resilience, and the courage to fight back. They decide to organize a resistance against the marauders, a decision that leads to strategic alliances with other survivor groups. Together, they form a fragile network aimed at reclaiming some semblance of security and hope in a world dominated by chaos. As their resistance efforts intensify, the group faces internal conflicts and moral dilemmas, questioning the cost of their fight. Yet, amid the loss and despair, they find moments of hope and purpose, driving them to continue their struggle for a future worth living for. This second installment in the series deepens the emotional and physical journey of the characters, exploring themes of leadership, community, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Keywords: Post-apocalyptic, survival, resistance, community, human spirit, alliances.

Readers will experience the genuine Gospel and will travel through a true life story to witness that what appears to be a hopeless situation can turn out to be for eternal good. They will see how self-deception led me down a path of initial pleasure and then deeper into intense suffering. They will witness Satans desperate attempt to destroy my soul. The power of God is in this testimony; it has been shared with thousands of deceived and despairing people, who as a result have turned away from Satan and toward the power of love found in Jesus. This is where they have experienced healing, restoration, and salvation. This power-packed guide will help equip readers to discern and defeat Satans strategies, rely on divine power and practical tools, and find a true place of spiritual refuge in Jesus.

Author Paul Campbell reveals the knowledge he has spent 20 years learning and reproducing from California natives. Included are sections on the basic skills of survival, the tools of gathering and food preparation, and the implements of household and personal necessity, as well as the arts of hunting and fishing. Sample topics include: shelter; greens, beans, flowers and other vegetables; meat preparation; how to make and shoot an Indian bow.--From publisher description.

What do you do when you fall in love with your best friend’s daughter? Denise and Jody have been best friends for over 35 years. They’ve been through everything together, always finding comfort and solace in their enduring friendship. After living apart for years, they’re now following their lifelong dream of opening their own flower shop together. Life has never been better. The last time Jody met Denise’s daughter, Ellen was nothing more than a seventeen-year-old whiney, spoiled brat. So when Denise announces that the now twenty-six-year-old Ellen is returning home with a broken heart, Jody can’t help feeling a total lack of sympathy for the younger woman. But then Denise tells Jody that Ellen has confided that she’s a lesbian…and who better than Jody to take Ellen under her wing and show her the lesbian life in San Antonio? Jody cannot believe that the once spoiled child has grown into such a kind and exquisite woman. She and Ellen find their attraction for each other overwhelming…but can they confront and overcome all of the challenges that lay ahead? Not only is Denise furious about their new relationship, but Ellen’s ex-lover has come to town to try to win her back…and then there’s something even more devastating that could threaten to tear all of them apart forever…

Fact: All the locations, organizations, and discoveries mentioned in this book are true. What if you’ve been told you can stop a war? An ex-CIA agent, her retired Navy SEAL husband, and a veteran spy must survive the deadly siege of Gaza, unarmed, on a covert coalition mission to extract vital intel and stop the war from taking an apocalyptic turn.