If you've been in any of my nature identification classes you may have heard me talk about how I collect field guides (and have more than any one person could ever reasonably need). I especially love hyper-local field guides that get into the living beings of a particular place.
So when the newsletter of the Portland Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon featured a short bit about a new field guide by one of our members, I had to have a copy! And not only do I now have one of my very own, but the author, Mario Catani, personally delivered it AND signed it!
He's done a really fabulous job with it. The book showcases a selection of eighteen native plants found in the Columbia River Gorge. I was especially pleased to see that there were examples from both sides of the Cascades; some PNW guides mostly focus on the wetter west side and ignore what's amazing about the dry side. Not only did he write up some excellent summaries of the plants, but also took absolutely gorgeous photos. This is from the writeup he created for the newsletter:
"I’m selling copies for $20 and have plenty available. Proceeds are going to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Conservation Lands Program, so it’s also supporting a good project.
If you’d like to see more about the guide and the story behind it, here are a couple links:
https://nwbotany.substack.com/p/i-made-a-field-guide
http://www.instagram.com/p/DMod7MuvyYe/?img_index=1
If interested in purchasing a copy of Mario's book, please email Mario at mariohcatani(at)gmail(dot)com. Copies are also available at Portland Nursery, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, How Convenient, Partly, Chess Club, Secret Room, and SymbiOp Nursery."
