Bayou-Diversity 2 - by Kelby Ouchley (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this sequel to his previous exploration of Louisiana's bayou country, conservationist Kelby Ouchley continues his journey through the vast ecosystems of the state with a fresh array of historical and cultural narratives, personal anecdotes, and reflections. Informative and entertaining, Bayou-Diversity 2 revisits familiar flora and fauna like endangered black bears, infamous feral hogs, and the ghostly bald cypress forest and also explores a new selection of plants and animals, including orchids, eels, bullbats, and cottonmouth snakes.

Ouchley's thought-provoking discussion considers the long-term human impact on Louisiana plants and wildlife and encourages proactive conservation of Louisiana's invaluable natural resources. Through education on conservation ethics, altered landscapes, and climate change, he asserts that we can and must improve our environment. "We are inextricably connected to the natural world," Ouchley writes, and "our mutual well-being is inseparably linked."

With page-turning narration, Bayou-Diversity 2 provides a comprehensive look at this awe-inspiring ecosystem and encourages generations of readers to take on the responsibility of environmental stewardship.

Review Quotes

With fresh, descriptive, poignant, and easy to read essays, Bayou-Diversity 2 is definitely an important addition to the genre of environmental journalism. Anyone interested in Louisiana's natural and cultural history will enjoy this book.--Gwen Carpenter Roland, author of Postmark Bayou Chene

Blessed with an extraordinary understanding of the process of nature, and being an incredible storyteller, Kelby Ouchley's Bayou-Diversity 2 is a welcomed addition to our understanding of Louisiana's special place in the annals of North American natural history. His descriptions are a rich combination of lore from the past, personal observations and reflections, and seldom referenced facts life styles and adaptations. Bayou-Diversity 2 is a must read for all interested naturalists who love or will love The Sportsman's Paradise - Louisiana.--Robert A. Thomas, president, Louisiana Master Naturalists Association

About the Author

Kelby Ouchley, a former biologist and manager of national wildlife refuges for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, is the author of Flora and Fauna of the Civil War: An Environmental Reference Guide; Bayou-Diversity: Nature and People in the Louisiana Bayou Country; and American Alligator: Ancient Predator in the Modern World.