Across America and around the world, people are working to help nature heal itself. In Bermuda, a man single-handedly grows thousands of trees on a small island to restore nesting habitat for a rare seabird. In Illinois, legions of volunteers replant prairies in the shadows of freeways. In Virginia, a farmer works to bring back the mighty American chestnut. What drives these individuals? How did their passions come about, and what are the implications for restoring the environment? "Nature's Restoration: People and Places on the Front Lines of Conservation" is a lyrical look at these and other examples of ordinary citizens aiming to return sizable tracts of the American landscape to nature, and to health. They've found success in preserving rare species, reversing negative ecological trends, and promoting greater intimacy with nature. Yet, the work is far from simple. Restoration projects are often in the news not only because of the promise they hold, but also because of the controversy they provoke.
Based on detailed reporting and numerous interviews, "Nature's Restoration" puts us on the front lines of restoration to learn how this burgeoning national movement shapes both places and people.