Curious by Nature

One Woman’s Exploration of the Natural World

“Curious by Nature: One Woman’s Exploration of the Natural World” showcases Candace Savage’s exploration of the varied ways we relate to wildlife from our retelling of fairytales about the big, bad wolf to our struggles to find a balance between harvesting trees and allowing grizzly bears the space to roam. Along the way, she asks intriguing questions to which she sets out to find answers, such as what brings out the mothering instinct in mammals, what are the forces behind the spectacular displays of the northern lights, and just how do crows calculate the optimum height from which to drop their whelks?

Savage has spent the last 25 years exploring our complex relationships with the natural world: our prejudices, our growing body of scientific knowledge, our awe. She is particularly interested in bridging the gap between mythology and science, between longing and fact. Creating a livable future for ourselves and for other species, she believes, calls for both knowledge and love, and a deep sense of the value of wildness. This book is a record of Savage’s ongoing quest to engage readers in a conversation that enriches our lives and the lives of the animals whose stories she tells.