One of the great joys of my work reviewing books on natural history subjects is that, while many times the books arriving for review are expected, occasionally one appears that I otherwise may have quite possibly missed. In some cases this may be just as well; however in others, such as with the recently arrived “A Sustainable Future; 12 Key Areas of Global Concern,” not having the opportunity to discover what their authors had to say would be most regrettable indeed.
To those of us in America who love the outdoors, who relish the opportunities for discovery and recreation offered by one of the best things the Zeitgeist of the nation has ever created – the National Park System, who think the nation would be a less place ecologically, historically, and spiritually without the vast tracts of shared public lands we hold in common as a citizenry, the present time is one of great trepidation.
Now that – as my grandpa was fond of saying – the kitty is out of the burlap, I thought I should take a few paragraphs to explain my new forthcoming adventure. As some of you may have already learned, as of the first of March I will take up the position of product manager for sports optics with Celestron. Needless to say, I am absolutely delighted, as well as deeply honored, to have been offered this opportunity. However as it is a full-time position that will require a substantial amount of travel, the question has already been asked of me “what will become of The Well-read Naturalist.”