Cascade of Life: An Artist’s Seasonal Guide to the Wild Northwest

A vividly illustrated journey through the Pacific Northwest's wildlife, landscapes, and seasonal rhythms

• Highlights more than 120 flora and fauna species found across the Northwest's four major biomes--the Pacific Coast, Lowlands, Mountains, and Drylands
• Offers 16 hands-on activities for foraging, crafting, and environmental stewardship
• Features 14 illustrated sidebars exploring related science concepts and project

Cascade of Life invites readers to step beyond the typical field guide and into a deeper dialogue with the natural world. Artist and naturalist Emily Poole explores the wondrous variety of the Pacific Northwest--from rocky shorelines to alpine slopes to arid steppes--through the rhythms of the four seasons, spotlighting species that are especially active at different times of year. Original illustrations and essays feature popular species like gray whales and Anna's hummingbirds, as well as overlooked or misunderstood plants and animals, such as pickleweed and coyotes.

Blending stunningly vivid paintings with personal anecdotes and field-based insights, each chapter encourages the reader's curiosity and offers accessible, hands-on activities to deepen their connection with nature. Part field guide, part journal, Cascade of Life is a welcoming, inspiring exploration of Cascadia's landscapes and the species that define them.

Acclaimed artist EMILY POOLE has been exploring the wild spaces of the western United States since childhood. Her work has been used by organizationssuch as Creature Conserve, HawkWatch International, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art and has appeared regularly in High Country News. Her illustrations have been featured in six natural history books, including BirdNote, Northwest Know-How: Trees, and A Little Book of Hummingbirds. She lives in Eugene, Oregon. Find her online at epooleart.com.