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Teachers in the Forest: New Lessons from an Old World
“A rewarding and enriching fusion of traditional wisdom, science and first-hand experience.” —Tristan Gooley, author of The Natural Navigator, and How to Read Nature
Drawing from a similar lifestyle and environmental ethic as Henry D. Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, Babcock has lived more than two decades off-grid deep in the forest near the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Here he has discovered a balance in the interconnectedness of all life in the woods, and derived his sustenance from hunting, fishing, gardening, gathering wild food, providing water from a hand-pump well and minimal electricity from the sun. He befriended an Ojibwe Elder, Chi-Ma’iingan (Big Wolf), from whom he learned the Seven Grandfather Teachings (Wisdom, Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility, and Truth). In this collection, Babcock shares his love of the natural world through a unique land ethic that combines the ideology of Thoreau and Leopold, and that which he learned from Chi-Ma’iingan.
Babcock proposes a radical shift in how Americans support our environment and wildlife. He was recently featured in the documentary films: MEDICINE OF THE WOLF, and WOLF SPIRIT.
From these pages: “We must stop seeing the natural world as a commodity and start seeing it as we would see a family member—something to love, protect, care for, and cherish.”
“This book is a deeply poetic account of one man’s quest to live off the land and his battle-cry to protect it.” —Julia Huffman, Director of Medicine of the Wolf and Wolf Spirit
Drawing from a similar lifestyle and environmental ethic as Henry D. Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, Babcock has lived more than two decades off-grid deep in the forest near the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Here he has discovered a balance in the interconnectedness of all life in the woods, and derived his sustenance from hunting, fishing, gardening, gathering wild food, providing water from a hand-pump well and minimal electricity from the sun. He befriended an Ojibwe Elder, Chi-Ma’iingan (Big Wolf), from whom he learned the Seven Grandfather Teachings (Wisdom, Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility, and Truth). In this collection, Babcock shares his love of the natural world through a unique land ethic that combines the ideology of Thoreau and Leopold, and that which he learned from Chi-Ma’iingan.
Babcock proposes a radical shift in how Americans support our environment and wildlife. He was recently featured in the documentary films: MEDICINE OF THE WOLF, and WOLF SPIRIT.
From these pages: “We must stop seeing the natural world as a commodity and start seeing it as we would see a family member—something to love, protect, care for, and cherish.”
“This book is a deeply poetic account of one man’s quest to live off the land and his battle-cry to protect it.” —Julia Huffman, Director of Medicine of the Wolf and Wolf Spirit
- GenresNonfictionNature
268 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 30, 2022
These essays are exceptional.
January 28, 2020
If you are an environmentalist, ethical hunter, or just enjoy learning about the outdoors, this book is for you. Barry Babcock is a modern day Aldo Leopold, having a connection to the natural world not found in most individuals today. His insight on the variety of plants and wild animals in his home state of Minnesota is unique and invaluable. Through his experience and analysis of the natural world around him the reader feels a renewed sense of wonder and desire to reconnect with all that exists outside our homes and ever growing urban areas. You don’t have to be from Minnesota to appreciate the contents of this book, just have an open heart and mind to the beauty outside our front doors. I placed this book on my shelf along with the works of other great nature writers such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, and Aldo Leopold.
May 20, 2026
As I write this review, only 2 people are currently reading this book; it has only 16 ratings.
I’d like to advocate strongly for this author, and this book. Written by a man who lives off the grid in Northern Minnesota, it is an incredibly sensitive and thoughtful portrait of nature, the animal and plant communities who comprise it, and their relationship to humans (and ours to theirs).
Babcock is a naturalist and environmentalist (they are not the same thing) who not only lives off the beaten path, he is also a close observer of his surroundings. And he does not stop with simply observing; he also draws meaning from what he sees, and tries to instill his readers with a deep appreciation for what we can learn from the natural world, if we would only listen to and respect it.
Drawing from the tradition of Henry David Thoreu, and building on the work of Aldo Leopold (author of A Sand County Almanac), Babcock doesn’t idolize nature as much as he celebrates it, while acknowledging that humankind is also interconnected with it. In this view, he is echoing the great Native American traditions; he owes much to the Ojibwe nation, whose members he has known closely and learned from. He speaks powerfully of, and quotes often, his friend who was an Ojibwe leader and teacher, Chi Ma’iingan (Big Wolf - Larry Stillday).
However, this is not only a book about the spiritual benefits of a closer relationship with nature. Babcock also brings significant historical and scientific knowledge to bear in making his argument that humanity needs to reclaim a land ethic that respects and protects our natural resources. He is remarkably well-read and well-informed; he draws on a variety of literary and scientific sources that supplement his first-hand observations.
This is a book that deserves to be more widely read and appreciated. There is much here to inspire, and teach. From broad historical trends and impacts down to the most personal observations of woodland inhabitants in their natural spaces, and the meaning he derives from them, Babcock paints a picture of a world that, though often overlooked or misunderstood, is both understandable and transcendent; a world that is more relevant to our needs than we realize, and more significant to our survival than we suspect.
I’d like to advocate strongly for this author, and this book. Written by a man who lives off the grid in Northern Minnesota, it is an incredibly sensitive and thoughtful portrait of nature, the animal and plant communities who comprise it, and their relationship to humans (and ours to theirs).
Babcock is a naturalist and environmentalist (they are not the same thing) who not only lives off the beaten path, he is also a close observer of his surroundings. And he does not stop with simply observing; he also draws meaning from what he sees, and tries to instill his readers with a deep appreciation for what we can learn from the natural world, if we would only listen to and respect it.
Drawing from the tradition of Henry David Thoreu, and building on the work of Aldo Leopold (author of A Sand County Almanac), Babcock doesn’t idolize nature as much as he celebrates it, while acknowledging that humankind is also interconnected with it. In this view, he is echoing the great Native American traditions; he owes much to the Ojibwe nation, whose members he has known closely and learned from. He speaks powerfully of, and quotes often, his friend who was an Ojibwe leader and teacher, Chi Ma’iingan (Big Wolf - Larry Stillday).
However, this is not only a book about the spiritual benefits of a closer relationship with nature. Babcock also brings significant historical and scientific knowledge to bear in making his argument that humanity needs to reclaim a land ethic that respects and protects our natural resources. He is remarkably well-read and well-informed; he draws on a variety of literary and scientific sources that supplement his first-hand observations.
This is a book that deserves to be more widely read and appreciated. There is much here to inspire, and teach. From broad historical trends and impacts down to the most personal observations of woodland inhabitants in their natural spaces, and the meaning he derives from them, Babcock paints a picture of a world that, though often overlooked or misunderstood, is both understandable and transcendent; a world that is more relevant to our needs than we realize, and more significant to our survival than we suspect.
June 30, 2022
This book takes on our relationship with nature from many different perspectives. It opens with aspects of Ojibwe spirituality in their own relationship to nature, then proceeds with many twists and turns to wildlife and game management in general. Babcock has a deep relationship to the land and its wildlife, and imparts this to his readers very well.
Later in the book, it turns to more political themes such as land management. Babcock also presents some personal history of how he landed in Minnesota, as well as how much it costs him to run his home off the grid. While this is mildly interesting, it is too reminiscent of Thoreau's accounting, and detracts from the message that the rest of the book delivers.
Later in the book, it turns to more political themes such as land management. Babcock also presents some personal history of how he landed in Minnesota, as well as how much it costs him to run his home off the grid. While this is mildly interesting, it is too reminiscent of Thoreau's accounting, and detracts from the message that the rest of the book delivers.
January 2, 2017
I like this book because I can directly relate to it. My home is on a very private, small lake between Walker and Hackensack, which is in close proximity to the location the author wrote about.
It's a quick and easy read. There are a few typos and grammatical errors but not enough to discourage anyone from reading this book.
If you like the Minnesota northwoods, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
It's a quick and easy read. There are a few typos and grammatical errors but not enough to discourage anyone from reading this book.
If you like the Minnesota northwoods, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
January 21, 2022
This is a great read for outdoor enthusiasts and environmentally conscious people. Babcock guides the reader on what it's like for him to live completely off-grid on eighty acres in northern MN. It is also a well researched work about how environmental scientists and Native American people have arrived at similar theories about conservation.
March 24, 2018
Barry Babcock has written a powerful book in defense of the natural world at large, but focused upon the remaining wild places of Minnesota's north woods.
Babcock echos Aldo Leopold's writing of The Land Ethic, and attempts to imbue the conservation/preservation values with the spiritual values of the Native Ojibway culture.
I would hope that this book will find the eyes of young readers and open them to the work of others, like Leopold and others mentioned in the book. It is the young who will pick up the battle to defend the last parts of the natural wilderness.
It is an irony that so many people who are fortunate enough to live and grow in proximity of wild lands, fail to understand the immense value of these increasingly isolated spaces and often resent the urban people who visit and become involved in the struggle to protect these spaces. Babcock has put his finger on this reality, and helped outline this old struggle and the need for it to continue. It is so ironic that both sides love the same thing, yet find self-interest pulling them apart when they have every reason to join forces.
This little-known book belongs in your library if you understand the need for wild places in our increasingly urban world.
Babcock echos Aldo Leopold's writing of The Land Ethic, and attempts to imbue the conservation/preservation values with the spiritual values of the Native Ojibway culture.
I would hope that this book will find the eyes of young readers and open them to the work of others, like Leopold and others mentioned in the book. It is the young who will pick up the battle to defend the last parts of the natural wilderness.
It is an irony that so many people who are fortunate enough to live and grow in proximity of wild lands, fail to understand the immense value of these increasingly isolated spaces and often resent the urban people who visit and become involved in the struggle to protect these spaces. Babcock has put his finger on this reality, and helped outline this old struggle and the need for it to continue. It is so ironic that both sides love the same thing, yet find self-interest pulling them apart when they have every reason to join forces.
This little-known book belongs in your library if you understand the need for wild places in our increasingly urban world.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews