Nine beautifully crafted essays explore the cultural and natural history of the ponderosa pine in the West.

Authors Carl E. Fiedler and Stephen F. Arno recount the history of humans among the ponderosa pines, the historical role of fire, how and why the forest has changed, and what people can do to restore the forest to its former glory.

This paper presents a broad-based synthesis of the general ecology of the ponderosa pine ecosystem in the Black Hills. This synthesis contains information and results of research on ponderosa pine from numerous sources within the Black Hills ecosystem. We discuss the silvical characteristics of ponderosa pine, natural disturbances that govern ecosystem processes, wildlife habitat and management, various silvicultural methods to manage ponderosa pine forests, and watershed management of the Black Hills.

Marina Richie's pursuit of the belted kingfisher is one of curiosity and kinship with a wild creekside community in Missoula, Montana. The first book to feature North America's beloved bird of waterways, Halcyon Journey threads natural history, memoir, and myth. Epiphanies and a citizen science discovery punctuate Richie's seven seasons tracking a skittish pair of birds. The female is more colorful than the male (unusual and puzzling) and the birds' earthen nest holes are fiendishly difficult to locate. Far-flung adventures to other continents in search of kingfisher kin deepen the author's relationship with Montana birds. In winter, she explores tribal stories of the kingfisher as messenger and helper. By the water's edge, she reconciles the loss of her naturalist father and taps into her own powers, inspired by the bird of the headfirst plunge and rattling call. Book jacket.