NOTICING

How to pay better attention to nature.

Journalist Louv, who introduced the concept of “nature-deficit disorder” in his bestselling Last Child in the Woods (2005), here writes about his own experiences of immersion in nature, from his childhood in Missouri and Kansas to various places in the West to his current home in the mountains east of San Diego, where he has lived for the past few years. In brief, conversational chapters, he recaps the many benefits of being out in and aware of nature, not the least of which is “humility. That odd sensation.” He makes a convincing case that “noticing is the beginning of wonder,” and that enough noticing will induce a state of “bioenchantment.” Louv suggests a number of simple ways to get closer to nature: journaling, taking photos, catch-and-release fishing, or just finding a place outside—familiar or not—to sit, look, and listen. He includes photos of his own. Along the way, he takes part in a forest therapy session, follows along with a tracker, and gets to know his new neighbors, including a member of the Kumeyaay people, whose ancestors lived in the area where Louv lives now; a Vietnam veteran who uses nature to deal with PTSD; and a contented former firefighter, who assures the more anxious Louv, “It’s your gift to worry.” The author moves back and forth from lyrical descriptions of connection to nature to impassioned concern about the future of the planet to a certain mild skepticism toward those who believe they are empowered to speak for nature. (“Not every spell cast by nature is beneficial,” he notes.) His thoughtful, encouraging approach makes it easy for readers to follow in his footsteps.

A gentle guide to connecting with the non-human world.