I owe John Bates heaps of thanks, for all the "borrowing" I have done from him to post on this blog. Also, like you, we have appreciated his insights over the years in community presentations, and in his books and newspaper columns.
John is certainly a special person, one of the individuals who makes life in the Northwoods better for everyone.
Thus, I am sharing this message as John wrote it, asking for possible help to publish his most recent research and scholarship. I'm confident that many of us believe in the value of old-growth forests---and also believe in this modest, gifted, and thoughtful man.
1/4/18
Dear Friends:
After 15 years of research, near “finishes,” and many meanderings, I’m finally self-publishing my book on the old-growth forests of Wisconsin – Our Living Ancestors: The History and Ecology of Old-Growth Forests in Wisconsin (and where to find them). My goal is to have the book out by March 1 to take with me to the 20,000 crazed paddlers at Madison’s Canoecopia, where I’m giving two talks, one on old-growth.
I’m writing to ask your financial help for the production and printing of the book. Or simply to make you aware of the book and to ask for your help in forwarding this email to others you think might be interested. In other words, whatever you can do.
This is very awkward for me – I’m uncomfortable doing this – but my oldest daughter who fundraises for the San Diego Natural History Museum has counseled me extensively to just tell folks what I’m doing, and then let everyone simply make up their minds. I’m acutely aware that this project is just one of thousands of other great projects and organizations to help fund. So, if old-growth is near and dear to your heart, and you are looking for a project like this to support, great. If not, I completely understand. No worries or guilt.
The Book
The book will be about 340 pages, full color, with over 200 maps, photos, and graphics. The first chapter provides a history of old-growth and why we cut 99.7% of our forests. The next five chapters offer the definitions of old-growth, the ecology of old-growth, the many values of old-growth, an inventory of what we have now, and a vison for the future. The last two chapters direct readers to the “Fifty Best Old-Growth Sites” left in the state and the “Fifty Best of the Rest.”
The book will also be available as an e-book, and I’m designing a website/database to garner responses from readers who may know of other old-growth sites in the state.
The cost for the production and printing of 2,000 copies of the book will be around $30,000. I’ve already received contributions of $11,000, so we’re over a third of the way home.
What You Can Do
If you’d like to financially support this project, please make a check out to Manitowish River Press, and send it to: 4245N State Highway 47, Mercer, WI 54547. Any amount will help and be very gratefully received. All contributors will be listed in the book (if you always wanted to see your name in a book, here’s your chance), and contributors of $100 or more will receive a signed copy of the book, which is the absolute least I can do. Send me your email, too, and I’ll keep you appraised of talks and upcoming walks I’m doing on old-growth in Wisconsin.
If you know of others who might be interested in this project, please forward this email, share it on Facebook, or pass it along on God knows what other social media outlets exist out there (I’m a dinosaur).
Thanks!
I believe whole-heartedly in the many values of these old forest communities, and I certainly wonder if the human community couldn’t take some lessons from the forests on living for the long haul. I’ve stuck with this book for so long that it’s almost old-growth itself! One way or another, I promise the book will be well-worth your support – a thousand thanks for anything you can do!
John Bates
[email protected]
www.manitowish.com
4245N State Highway 47, Mercer, WI 54547
715-476-2828
(Photo---Cathedral Pines, Boulder Junction)