Best Environmentalist & Naturalist Biographies Books of 2025

Why Fish Don't Exist is a unique memoir by Lulu Miller that explores the life of David Starr Jordan, a taxonomist who discovered almost a fifth of the fish known to humans in his time. Miller uses Jordan's story to reflect on her own struggles and the chaos of the world. The book is a fascinating blend of biography, memoir, and scientific adventure that will leave readers pondering about history, morality, and the natural world. Miller's writing style is engaging and beautiful, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in science, nature, and the human condition.

"Finding the Mother Tree" by Suzanne Simard is a deeply personal and moving memoir that takes readers on a journey of discovery into the fascinating world of trees and their connections to one another and other living things in the forest. Simard, a pioneer forest ecologist, illuminates the intricate and interdependent circle of life that exists within the forest, and how trees communicate, adapt, and recognize their neighbors with sophistication. Simard's personal experiences growing up in the logging world of British Columbia add a unique perspective to this informative and inspiring book. Overall, "Finding the Mother Tree" is a must-read for anyone interested in ecology, nature, and the interconnectedness of life on Earth.

Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell is a must-read for anyone who loves her iconic children's tales. McDowell explores Potter's passion for gardening and plants, and how it influenced her work. The book details key moments and places throughout Potter's life as a gardener, and provides a season-by-season overview of what is blooming in her garden. The book concludes with a traveler's guide, providing information on where to visit Potter's gardens today. With stunning illustrations and expert analysis, this book is a delightful exploration of the connection between Potter's love of gardening and her timeless stories.

Guardians of the Valley is an inspiring and deeply researched book about the legendary conservationist John Muir and his friendship with editor Robert Underwood Johnson. The book follows their journey to Yosemite Valley, where they witnessed the destruction of nature caused by mining, tourism, and logging. The pact they formed led to the creation of Yosemite National Park, marking a watershed moment in the American environmental movement. The book highlights the transformative power of nature and the importance of friendship in making a difference. Overall, Guardians of the Valley is a timely and powerful read that sheds light on the environmental challenges we face today.

The Climate Book: The Facts and the Solutions is a handbook for anyone looking to make a difference in the fight against climate change. Written by the world's leading climate activist, Greta Thunberg, the book combines the wisdom of over one hundred experts with Thunberg's own experiences to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face. The book is both a call to action and a source of hope, showing that it is not too late to secure a safe future for life on Earth. Overall, The Climate Book is an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery is a fascinating biography that tells the inspiring story of Emma Gatewood, a sixty-seven-year-old great-grandmother who walked 800 miles along the 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail with less than two hundred dollars and a change of clothes. Despite the challenges she faced, Gatewood became the first person to walk the trail twice and three times and hiked the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail at age seventy-one. Montgomery's extensive research and access to Gatewood's diaries, trail journals, and correspondence make this book a must-read for anyone interested in hiking or women's biographies.

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman--Including 10 More Years of Business Unusual is a memoir by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, Inc. In this newly revised 10th anniversary edition, Chouinard shares his inspiring story of bringing doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life. The book is a detailed blueprint for hope that will deeply affect entrepreneurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The book is a must-read for everyone who is outraged and depressed by the wave of greed that has been the hallmark of corporate America in the twenty-first century.

The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony is a heartwarming memoir of his experience with a herd of "rogue" wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. Anthony's unrelenting efforts at animal protection and his remarkable connection with nature will inspire animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere. The book is a beautiful reflection of his ability to enter into the metaphysical realm of the exotic animal. The Elephant Whisperer is a must-read for anyone who loves animals and wants to learn more about the powerful bond between humans and animals.

The Elephants of Thula Thula by Françoise Malby-Anthony is a gripping memoir about her remarkable family of elephants, whose adventures have touched hearts around the world. The story follows Françoise's journey as she fights to save her beloved elephants from the threat of culling and a mining company wanting access to their land. As she faces her toughest years yet, she realizes that the elephants have much to teach us with their wisdom, resilience and communal bonds. The book is a heartwarming and inspiring story that will appeal to animal lovers and those interested in conservation.

A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds is a captivating book that chronicles the efforts of scientists, conservationists, birders, wildlife officers, and philanthropists to save birds from extinction. Through their journey across the Americas, the authors, Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal, offer hope and an urgent call to action. The book highlights the devastating loss of one-third of the avian population and the bold, experimental, and sometimes risky rescue missions to halt the collapse of species. This book is a must-read for environmentalists and naturalists who care about the future of our beloved birds.