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Explore Nature in Wisconsin and the National Parks

Explore the natural wonders of Wisconsin and the National Parks through travel guides, memoirs, field guides, and more.

Explore Wisconsin

Cover of Apostle Islands Water Trip
John C.
Frank

Here's your guide to one mainland site and 21 islands in the Apostle Islands archipelago. Each island (or mainland) location is described in a separate chapter and includes a map showing the island's shoreline features, landing sites, and other important information for kayakers and boaters. In addition to the guidebook information, each chapter also includes a vignette or essay related to the chapter's location and based on the author's paddling and camping experiences on each island over a twenty-two year period.

Cover of Ice Age Trail Atlas. 2020-
Andrew
Hanson

Whether you are just starting to explore the Ice Age Trail or are well on your way to becoming a Thousand-Miler, the maps in this book provide the critical wayfinding information you'll need to enjoy all the Ice Age Trail has to offer.

Cover of Waterfalls of Wisconsin: T
Troy
Hess

In the state more commonly known for its farmlands, renowned photographer Troy Hess showcases the natural beauty of Wisconsin's waterfalls.

Cover of Best Lake Hikes Wisconsin:
Steve
Johnson

Concise descriptions and detailed maps for 61 easy-to-follow scenic lake hikes in Wisconsin allow hikers of all levels to enjoy beautiful views, get fit in the outdoors, and learn about the region's history.

Cover of Field Guide to Wisconsin G
Emmet J.
Judziewicz

Grasses are the foremost plant family of prairies, savannas, barrens, many agricultural landscapes, lawns, and successional habitats throughout Wisconsin, yet they are notoriously difficult to identify. This field guide to 232 species of Wisconsin grasses includes more than 1,100 illustrations. Setting a new standard as the first new, illustrated midwestern grass identification manual to appear since the 1960s, it provides up-to-date, comprehensive information for naturalists, gardeners, landscapers, nursery horticulturalists, community restoration professionals, agronomists and biologists, and any outdoors lover. Ebook

Cover of 50 Things to Know About Bi
Carly
Lincoln

Author Carly Lincoln offers a fun and informative approach to finding the most beautiful and varied species of birds in the nations Dairyland. Most books on birding tell you to travel to specific locations and hotspots for one or two prize species on your list, there will be some of that, but this book takes another approach and adds bite-size birding facts with a smattering of unique-to-my-tribe insights about common birds.

Cover of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles:
Kevin
Revolinski

The best way to experience Madison is by hiking it. Get outdoors with local author and hiking expert Kevin Revolinski. A perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems, the selected hikes in this book transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body.

Cover of Wisconsin State Parks: Ext
Scott
Spoolman

Author and former DNR journalist Scott Spoolman takes readers with him to twenty-eight parks, forests, and natural areas where evidence of the state's striking geologic and natural history are on display.

Cover of Birds of Wisconsin Field G
Stan
Tekiela

Learn to identify birds in Wisconsin, and make bird-watching even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela's famous field guide, bird identification is simple and informative. There's no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don't live in your area. This book features 121 species of Wisconsin birds organized by color for ease of use.

Cover of Trees of Wisconsin Field G
Stan
Tekiela

Learn to identify Wisconsin trees with this handy field guide, organized by leaf type and attachment.

Cover of Wildflowers of Wisconsin F
Stan
Tekiela

Learn to identify wildflowers in Wisconsin with this handy field guide, organized by color.

Cover of Hiking with Hair Tie: Sect
Kris
Van Handel

The Ice Age Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails, and all 1200 miles of the trail are within the state of Wisconsin. Many people hike portions of the trail, but only around 200 people have hiked the entire trail. Join Kris, aka Hair Tie, on her adventures as she section hikes the trail over a two year period. Kris explains how she got started hiking the trail, what kept her going, and all the challenges and accomplishments that go along with long distance hiking.

The National Parks

Cover of The Art of the National Pa
Fifty-Nine Parks

Explore the majesty of the National Parks through the eyes of contemporary artists.

Cover of Accessible Vacations: An I
Simon J.
Hayhoe

Take a tour of ten national parks in this overview of the ways in which they can be accessed by those with physical, sensory and learning limitations and their companions.

Cover of Lonely Planet National Par
Lonely Planet Publications

From Acadia to Zion, this beautiful introduction to America's preserved natural treasures is packed with landscape photography, original wildlife illustrations, and practical information.

Cover of Treasured Lands: A Photogr
Q. T.
Luong

A rich visual tour of the U.S. National Parks and an invaluable guide from a photographer who hiked-or paddled, dived, skied, snowshoed, andclimbed-each park, shooting in all kinds of terrain, in all seasons,and at all times of day. QT Luong's timeless gallery of the nation's most revered landscapes beckons to nature lovers, armchair travelers,and photography enthusiasts alike, keeping America's natural wonders within reach.

Cover of Walks of a Lifetime in Ame
Robert
Manning

Walk the national parks and find out for yourself why they're "America's best idea" and why walking is the richest way to experience and appreciate these iconic places.

Cover of Open Road: A Midlife Memoi
Toby
Neal

A road trip travel memoir of self-discovery following the author and her husband on their journey through the national parks.

Cover of 50 States 500 State Parks:
Publications International Ltd

50 States 500 State Parks takes you on a visual journey through America's best state parks. Whether you're looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history, or just an enjoyable hike, the state parks offer an array of experiences.

Flora and Fauna

Cover of Douglas Fir: The Story of
Stephen F.
Arno

A fascinating natural and cultural history of one of the most iconic trees in the West.

Cover of The Wild Year: A Field Gui
Kristyna
Baczynski

An illustrated guide to exploring nature, one surprising season-and plant-at a time.

Cover of Seed to Dust: Life, Nature
Marc
Hamer

This meditative memoir explores the wisdom of plants, the joys of manual labor, and the natural cycle of growth and decay that runs through both the garden's life and our own. Ebook

Cover of Wild Sweetness: Recipes In
Thalia
Ho

From the creator of the award-winning food blog, Butter and Brioche, comes a unique and beautifully designed full-color cookbook that brings wild flavors to desserts as told through the seasons.

Cover of Wildflowers of the Midwest
Michael
Homoya

A comprehensive field guide for anyone wishing to learn about the amazingly diverse wildflowers of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Organized by flower color and shape, the guide is as user-friendly as it is informative.

Cover of How to Create a Wildlife G
Christine Lavelle and
Michael Lavelle

This inspiring and accessible hands-on book shows how simple gardening techniques can provide a dazzling plant display while helping the native wildlife.

Cover of The National Audubon Socie
National Audubon Society

From the creators of the world's most trusted field guides--a go-to source for millions of nature lovers--comes a completely new and unparalleled reference work- the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date guide to the trees of North America.

Cover of The Tree Forager: 40 Extra
Adele
Nozedar

Aimed at tree lovers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated handbook is the first guide to foraging specifically from trees, looking at all the incredible things we can get and make from them, from food and remedies to toys, whistles and ink.

Cover of The Nature of Oaks: The Ri
Douglas W.
Tallamy

Oaks sustain a complex and fascinating web of wildlife. The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area. Ebook

Cover of The Heartbeat of Trees: Em
Peter
Wohlleben

In an era of cell phone addiction, climate change, and urban life, many of us fear we've lost our connection to nature--but Peter Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the forest remain alive and intact. Drawing on new scientific discoveries, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can have with nature.

The Great Outdoors

Cover of Wild and Free Nature: 25 O
Ainsley
Arment

A beautiful, four-color resource book for parents, educators, and caregivers to enjoy doing hands-on activities outside with kids.

Cover of A Year in the Woods: Twelv
Torbjørn Lysebo.
Ekelund

As nature becomes ever more precious, we all want to spend more time appreciating it. But time is often hard to come by. And how do we appreciate nature without disruption? In this humorous and modest Walden for modern times, Torbjørn Ekelund, an acclaimed Norwegian nature writer, shares a creative and non-intrusive method for immersing oneself in nature.

Cover of The Natural Navigator: The
Tristan
Gooley

Before GPS, before the compass, and even before cartography, humankind was navigating. A windswept tree, the depth of a puddle, or a trill of birdsong could point the way home, and they still do--if you know how to look.

Cover of Forest School for Grown-up
Richard
Irvine

From starting a fire to foraging for food, basket making to making a bird feeder, tree hugging and cloud scrying, this beautifully designed forest almanac is a treasure for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Cover of The Book of Nature Connect
Jacob
Rodenburg

Unplug from technology and "plug in" to nature through the wonder of your senses. From "extenda-ears" and acorn whistles to bird calls, camouflage games, and scent scavenger hunts, enjoy over 70 diverse, engaging, sensory activities for all ages that promote mindfulness and nature connection.

Cover of Life As We Made It: How 50
Beth
Shapiro

From the first dog to the first beefalo, from farming to CRISPR, the human history of remaking nature.