Communication Overview

Communication with young people is critical to our future. Each year, I run field trips for all six classes of 4th graders at Mansfield Elementary School in CT. UConn ERTH student Mary Ferguson helped this year. That’s 126 students with a clipboard, magnifying glass, and handout visiting five stops in the adjacent Mansfield Hollow State Park. Twenty adults help.

Swerve

Two decades ago, my main scholarly emphasis veered away from geological field and lab work toward science communication. I have done this mainly through the practice of writing, but I also teach scientific communication in our course ERTH 2050W – Communicating Earth and Environmental Sciences. Finally, I’m a frequent speaker, having given more than a thousand invited public presentaions and dozens of invited academic seminar talks.

One of my eight books is “The Guide to Walden Pond,” here showing color photos and sidebars. It’s not one place, but fifteen, making this travel literature.

Books

I’ve published eight books so far with one in the works. Three were scholarly books for Harvard University Press and Princeton University Press. Five were for trade publishing houses: Bloomsbury (formerly Walker), Mariner (formerly Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and Tilbury House.  I’ve also contributed many chapters to edited volumes.  There were multiple awards. Link to  Books .

 

Detail of the second diorama at the Fisher Museum of Forestry at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. The exaggerated early stoniness helped promulgate the myth that New England was a terrible place to farm.

Journalism

For 15 years I wrote a regular weekly and bi-weekly column for Connecticut’s flagship newspaper, the Hartford Courant.  When that gig ended, I became regular book reviewer (under contract) for the Wall Street Journal and an intermittent contributor to The Conversation.  When time permits, I freelance articles for the The Atlantic (pending Nov. 2025), the New York Times, Smithsonian, Natural History, and other national media outlets. Link to  Journalism.

stone wall
New England field stone wall. Credit Smithsonian.

Appearances

I’ve given an estimated 2000 presentations, usually in-person slide shows, field trips, and panel presentations for many kinds of venues. This includes several NPR broadcasts and a role as consultant and talking head for the upcoming PBS documentary by Ken Burns – Don Henly – Ewer’s Brothers – Florentine Films  on Henry David Thoreau scheduled for March, 30, 2026. Link to Appearances.