BOOKS
Dr Wiebke Finkler and Scott Davis Exisle Publishing RRP $45.00 This collection of stunning wildlife photography celebrates the charismatic creatures that serve as ambassadors for conservation campaigns around the world – from sea otters and penguins to polar bears and mountain gorillas. The arresting images are the work of Scott Davis, a California-based marine biologist, expedition leader and professional photographer who has worked with National Geographic, the BBC and the celebrated television series Animal Planet. Accompanying his images are profiles of the iconic animals – among them our own kangaroos and koalas – by German filmmaker and science communicator Dr Wiebke Finkler, who currently lectures at Otago University on New Zealand’s South Island. As the title would suggest, despite the challenges facing many of the photogenic species featured, the authors embrace a determinedly positive outlook. This is reinforced through a series of Q&A interviews with the inspirational scientists, educators and environmentalists involved in a broad range of outstanding conservation projects – each of whom share their hopes for the future.
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A BOOK
FLIGHT OF THE BUDGERIGAR
Dr Penny Olsen NLA Publishing RRP $49.99 This colourful history of one of Australia’s most iconic birds is as illuminating as it is entertaining. Did you know, for instance, that after two live specimens were taken to London in the 1840s, the budgerigar bewitched high society – including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – and quickly became one of Australia’s first mass exports? Ornithologist Dr Penny Olsen tells the little parrot’s fascinating story, from their role in the art, songlines and legends of the Warlpiri and Arrernte people, to their popularity as betrothal gifts in Japan and fortune tellers in Persia. She also relates how over the past 180 years, cage breeding has created in today’s domestic budgie, a creature as different from the free-living native budgerigar as “a chihuahua from a wolf”. Olsen – an Honorary Professor in Ecology, Evolution and Genetics at the Australian National University in Canberra – worked as a field biologist and ecological consultant before turning her hand to writing. She has now written more than 25 books on Australian natural history.
THE GOOD LIFE
Hannah Moloney Affirm Press RRP: $39.99 Hannah Moloney has in recent times added a dash of unconventional colour to Gardening Australia. She brings the same verve and enthusiasm to her debut book, which espouses her philosophy on creating sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystems. Drawing on more than 15 years’ experience in designing, constructing and managing projects around urban agriculture, small-scale farming, permaculture and community development, Moloney offers tips on everything from composting and growing your own food to building a water tank and forging stronger community ties. She also throws in some favourite recipes, including one for a simple soft cheese. The advice is aimed at anyone who wants to make a difference in their home or community, regardless of whether they have “a half-acre, a backyard, a balcony or no outdoor space at all”. When she’s not appearing on Gardening Australia, Moloney runs Good Life Permaculture, a permaculture landscape design and education business in Hobart that creates resilient and regenerative lives and landscapes.
Foundation & Friends has a few copies to give away of the books featured above. To be in the running to win, just email foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or write to Letters, Foundation & Friends, Cottage 6, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 by Friday 17 December. Be sure to include your contact details. In our Spring 2021 edition we gave members the chance to win Spirit of the Garden (Trisha Dixon), Plants with Power (Stacey Demarco and Miranda Mueller), Trees of Historic Berry (Hazel King & Peter Milthorpe) and Croak (Prof. Phil Bishop). Congratulations to our winners: Gail Dihm, Kristin Mbothu, Patricia O’Rourke, Joy Chapman, Margaret Hanks, Susan McMahon, Heather William, Therese Howarth, Keith Gliddon and Coral Cozens.
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THE GARDENS SUMMER 2021–2022
Photos: © Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
THE SCIENCE OF HOPE
