Annie Proulx’s Fen, Bog & Swamp was a hit with the Environmentalism Book Club! Our discussion on July 9th of this history of wetlands centered around how, if people found a way to connect with nature, they’ll be inspired to treat the Earth with care and respect. As one participant noted, Proulx’s intentions to write this book were less of a call to arms, and more of a lesson in observation, and that the book is “a love letter to ecosystems that are rapidly disappearing”. Personally, I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed this little book. I assumed that learning about peat and wetlands would be dull, but instead I found myself fascinated by the descriptions of these delicate but crucial ecosystems, learning a bit about humanity’s relationship with them over time, and how vital they are to not only the many plants, birds & creatures that call them home, but to the planet at large, with their incredible capacity to sequester CO2, among other things. If any of this sounds interesting to you, I’d highly recommend you check out this book!

Next month, we will discuss the short story anthology “Afterglow: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors” edited by GRIST. Copies are available now at the Circulation Desk – click the button below to learn more and register.

Register Here!

And now: the resources! Happy browsing!

NPR “Book of the Day” Podcast (8 min.)

A “pocket-sized podcast” interview between author Annie Proulx and Leila Fadel from NPR about why she decided to write Fen, Bog & Swamp and what she learned from the process.

Ducks Unlimited: “What is a Swamp?”

So what actually is a swamp? This article explains with the help of handy graphics and images, and links you to pages discussing other types of wetlands, if you’re curious to learn more about these watery ecosystems.

US Forest Service: “What is a Fen?”

Another resource for the curious, this article details differences between fens, swamps, marshes, and other forms of wetlands and peatlands. With beautiful images accompanying the information, this is a great article to check out.

“Too Sincere, Or Worse: An Interview with Annie Proulx” by the Cleveland Review of Books

An interesting article + interview that gives us a glimpse into Proulx’s writing, character, and process, specifically in regards to Fen, Bog & Swamp.

Explore the wetlands near you!

Did you know there were wetlands in the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County area that are being preserved that you can go explore? I know I didn’t! Below is a (not exhaustive) list of local swamps, marshes, and wetlands. It’s now officially a goal of mine to visit one of these places this summer, I want to see what I’ve been reading about!

Magee Marsh

13229 St. Rt. 2 Oak Harbor, OH 43449

“The primary responsibility at Magee Marsh is the development and maintenance of high-quality wetland habitat for a diverse array of wetland wildlife species.” Hunting, fishing, birding and hiking, plus a beautiful visitor center where you can learn about wetland conservation, bird identification, and migration.

Black Swamp Bird Observatory

Located at the entrance of the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area!

13551 W. St. Rt. 2 Oak Harbor, OH 43449

“The mission of Black Swamp Bird Observatory is to inspire the appreciation, enjoyment, and conservation of birds and their habitats through research, education, and outreach.” I’ve never been birding before but something tells me I’d really love a trip down the Bird Trail.

Beaver Marsh

3801 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264

“Beaver Marsh is among the most diverse natural communities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The exceptional scenery and wildlife make it one of the park’s most popular destinations. Here you can enjoy photography, bird watching, and sharing nature with family and friends.” I hope to visit Beaver Marsh soon and get a glimpse at the wildlife!

Sandy Ridge Reservation

6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039

“A 526-acre wetland and wildlife preserve located in North Ridgeville. Since opening in 1999, the park has become one of the most popular sites for birding in Lorain County.” With activities like events and programs, hiking, a playground for the kiddos, birding (of course), a reservable shelter, and another lovely visitor’s center, this seems like a great place for an outdoors-y day trip.

Books Mentioned in Fen, Bog & Swamp at WPPL

Throughout the book, Proulx gave shoutouts to a number of books that she found helpful in her research. Many of those books were from the 18th and 19th century, but a few we actually have here at WPPL! Below are the catalog listings for those books.

And last, but certainly not least, Proulx’s latest book, Barkskins, a novel about 300 years of one family of woodcutters and fur traders and their “travels across North America, to Europe, China, and New Zealand, under stunningly brutal conditions…Over and over again, they seize what they can of a presumed infinite resource, leaving the modern-day characters face to face with possible ecological collapse”, is available now at WPPL.