Michael Sauers

August 28, 2025

The Forgotten Wilderness by Tom Brown is an easy read that builds an understanding of the interconnections of nature and its connection to us. Starting in lawns and working his way through hedgerows, abandoned areas, ponds, streams, drainage ditches, urban wildernesses and eventually the country, Brown shows what to look for and how to respectfully study/observe. Written in 1987, The Forgotten Wilderness, brings home some of the mistakes we have made in our relationships with wildness. Referencing at least 70 creatures he explains their relationships to each other and ultimately to us.

It is humbling to think about laying out on a lawn, stretching in a hedgerow or just sitting in or near any of the above settings. Observation skills and patience are a plus. This book is written with expertise, humility and respect. It minimizes intrusion while maximizing understanding.

I recommend this book as a shared reading within a family.