Members receive 20 % off Tess Taylor’s new book Leaning Toward Light in time for the holidays! Just log in and the code will be there on your member landing page. Caring for plants (much like reading a good poem) brings comfort, solace, and joy to many—offering an outlet in difficult times to slow down and steward growth. In Leaning toward Light, acclaimed poet and avid gardener Tess Taylor brings together a diverse range of contemporary voices to offer poems that celebrate that joyful connection to the natural world. This book reminds us how gardening is a healing practice, both for ourselves and the spaces we tend. The gorgeous hardcover package with ribbon bookmark makes this anthology a distinctive gift. Tess Taylor, an avid gardener, is the author of five acclaimed collections of poetry, including Work & Days, which was named one of the 10 best books of poetry of 2016 by the New York Times. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Kenyon Review, Poetry, Tin House, The Times Literary Supplement, CNN, and the New York Times. She has also served as on-air poetry reviewer for NPR’s All Things Considered for over a decade. She will be featured in episode 8 of The WildStory Podcast.

NPSNJ is pleased to announce that the Essex Chapter has published a first-ever Native Plant School Guide. The project was led by NPSNJ members Sarah Paulsen, Mary Ann Villanueva, and Deb Ellis, with the help of other members, teachers, and even Doug Tallamy, who sent photos. Sarah Paulsen explained: “it took over a year to bring this Guide to fruition, but it was worth it because we believe that helping kids learn about native plants is crucial to the planet’s future!” Designed for parents and teachers, the 12-page Guide explains what native plants are, why they are important, and gives practical advice about how to plant and maintain a school garden that provides food and habitat for pollinators and birds. Click here to learn more or here to obtain the PDF.

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