The authors, Soren and Riley, take you a journey of appreciation and understanding of the forests of the Maritimes— the Wabanaki Forest. Wabanaki is the Mi’kmaq word denoting the first dawn and refers to northeastern Turtle Island where the rising sun first casts it light. This book challenges you to consider forests as more than just trees that can supply fiber for various human uses such as lumber, pulp, and woodchips. Forests are so much more— unique ecosystems harbouring thousands of species of plants and animals. They are important for human spiritual and mental health, and they are the best way to capture carbon on earth. The Wabanaki Forest explores the fascinating history of how first peoples and settlers have lived with forests over time, and why they are under threat from humans, especially from industrial forestry, which changes the nature of the forest. It considers future prospects including pathways to conserving and restoring these forests for the benefit of ecosystems and humans.

This book is written in an engaging and personal manner for anyone that has an interest in or cares about forests.  It includes a series of short insightful essays contributed by forest lovers and specialists. It covers the gamut from personal and historical anecdotes to ecological knowledge, all accessibly written from a personal story telling perspective. With over 170 colour photos, the visuals bring the text to life.

Soren Bondrup-Nielsen is Professor Emeritus in Biology at Acadia University and a life-long lover of forests who has spent decades in the Wabanaki forest. He has written numerous previous books about nature and ecology. Riley Scanlan brings their knowledge of and care for forests as a biologist to this work.