For The Love of Nature

Book excerpt: For the Love of Nature is an intimate collection of essays written by a man whose love of nature dates back to his earliest days. These travel stories span a range of global ecosystems, with an emphasis on Alaska, a site of great delight for the author. Here is a love letter to the natural world that begins around the ponds, forests, and meadows of a childhood and journeys through a lifelong career as an educator keen on sharing not only passion for the living parts of our planet, but respect and knowledge, as well. Marty Dodge focuses on situations where he had the opportunity to share his informed appreciation for the complexity and beauty of actual places. He describes adventures where, as a college instructor, he led student groups through the Florida Everglades, Costa Rica, Belize, and Alaska. And his adventures didn’t stop when his working life did; Dodge’s post-retirement travel was just as vigorous, and his documented tributes include spirited descriptions of visits to Nepal, Chile, the western United States, and, as ever, his adored Alaska.