Atlas of Florida's Natural Heritage: Biodiversity, Landscapes, Stewardship, and Opportunities

Gave to oldest son, wow, he shared with his family and it has changed their viewpoint of Florida and it nature.

I was given this book by parents of my students right after it was published. I have since used it both personally and professionally. With my students, it became a valuable go-to knowledge base for understanding big picture ecological ideas as well as for unpacking/exploring specifics about Florida's numerous ecological niches. The information is in-depth, research based, and yet very accessible no matter one's level of knowledge about natural systems. The cartography is brilliant, engaging, and offers no shortage of new ways to explore ecosystems, habitats, and the inhabitants within them. The images and layout are thoughtfully designed, with the user/reader in mind.I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Florida's ecological heritage and in the intersection of biology, geography, climatology and geology. You'll develop a new appreciation for Florida as well as for emerging trends in studying landscapes and the flora and fauna therein.

This is a must have for anyone who lives in Florida or who is interested in the Sunshine State. It is a great resource for professionals such as teachers, academics, engineers, environmentalists, researchers, etc. For lay people it is an engrossing and fascinating read. I picked it up just to glance through, read the captions and look at the photos and I could not put it down. Anyone who wants to understand and appreciate the core Florida should read this book. It also helps understand the challenges facing the state's natural world.

Nice overview of Florida natural history, organized as an atlas -- by physical setting, natural communities, plants, animals, and finally by specific natural areas of note. This is not a travel guide, but instead is the type of reference that I would have kept in my office back in the day when I was a Park Ranger. When i want to learn more about specific species, geology, hydrology or policy issues, deeper dives are probably available elsewhere, but this Atlas is a nice overview of the elements and -- importantly -- inter-relationships.Published in 2011! The design of the book seems to be an homage to 1960s/1970s federal reports, so when I received it I thought it was an outdated government text and immediately checked the publication date! The retro design must be an intentional homage to the era when the US federal government and California State publication programs summarized for the first time our diverse natural treasures and relevant ecosystems. Whenever I glance at this book, the cover style and font transport my imagination to a dusty park office with solid wood desks crowded together on a terrazo floor, faded leather chairs, stuffed snakes and bobcats on the shelves and walls adorned with slightly ripped topo maps. Slight smell of campfire lingering on my clothes, a soggy sandwich and warm coke for lunch. So perhaps it's a time machine as well as a conservation atlas.