Young naturalists can explore the fun of backyard gardening through stories and journal entries, detailed instructions, and interesting facts about food and nature. One part how-to guide, one part garden journey, and one part educational adventure, this guide serves as a portal to the rich soils and seed beds of the backyard garden. Guided by educator Ron Smith, young naturalists will learn about planting and harvesting, the highlights of each season in the garden, and the importance of biodiversity. Topics explored include: . community agriculture, . composting, . the fascinating world of fungi, . raising backyard chickens, and . beekeeping. Adventures in Backyard Gardening will engage children from age eight through early teens to develop their interest in growing food, understanding nature's role in our health, and becoming lifelong participants in the earth's bounty. Supported by illustrations and photographs, easy-to-follow plans for planting and facts about food and nature come together to show how working in the garden can be a true adventure! AGES: 8 to 12 AUTHOR: Ron Smith is an educator, community scientist, and naturalist from Merchantville, New Jersey. Learning at an early age the joy and value of gardening, Ron has grown everything from figs to fungi, and he leverages a master's degree in biology to teach lessons and lead outdoor adventures for kids and adults. Lily Smith is an artist studying at Temple University's Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. As an art therapy major, Lily has engaged in various disciplines from painting to photography. She has applied her creative talents to conservation projects with emphasis on migratory birds, climate change, and ecosystem services and has assisted with art education projects for National Audubon's Family Camp in Maine and various community science youth projects. 172 colour images
