In this awe-inspiring memoir, a woman attempts to restore land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, facing her own limitations while getting to know a breathtaking corner of the natural world.  

When empty nester Paula Whyman climbs to a peak in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, her plans for a backyard ecology project quickly morph into a massive endeavor. In Bad Naturalist, Whyman struggles with conflicting advice from experts, an influx of invasive species, delayed plans, and the occasional rattlesnake—but none of it dampens her irrepressible passion for protecting the land.   

Bad Naturalist is woven with Whyman's delightful storytelling as she attempts to coax a beautiful piece of land back into shape. Putting her preconceived notions aside, she forms a deep connection with the earth, reminding us that the quest to tame it is a fool's errand.