The Sierra Club wetlands reader

the long version

From the Everglades to Alaska, North America's wetlands comprise irreplaceable habitats for innumerable plants and animals. In addition to being a subtle indicator of the health of the entire natural world, this delicate ecosystem has inspired an extraordinary amount of fine writing. Included in this remarkable collection are works by influential writers and scientists such as John Wesley Powell, Jack London, Aldo Leopold, Frederick Law Olmsted, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Edward Ricketts. From William Bartram's Revolutionary War - era meditation on the wetlands of Florida to Mark Twain's commentary on the flooding of the Mississippi River, we encounter varied portraits of these fertile ecosystems. In addition to celebrating this ecological community we are reminded of the importance of preservation, as the wetlands are a crucial link in maintaining the stability of a global environment.