What do you think?
Rate this book
Where We Call Home: Lands, Seas, and Skies of the Pacific Northwest
From the gray whale to the western bumble bee, discover the flora and fauna that call the Pacific Northwest home—and the challenges they must face to endure.
Reconnect with the natural world through essays that blend science and prose. In her debut work, Josephine Woolington turns back the clock to review the events that have challenged Pacific Northwest wildlife in an effort to provide a deeper sense of place. Only then can we imagine how these imperious effects might be overcome.
Join Woolington as she sheds light on the diverse species whose populations are slowly declining from the lands, seas, and skies of the Pacific Northwest. Only by acknowledging this truth can we understand that our impact on the Earth is deeper and far more significant than we ever imagined. Through interviews with local educators, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and artists from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Haida Nation, the Yakama Nation, the Makah Tribe, and beyond, we are invited to decenter our singular perspective in favor of a more empathic, collective approach.
The flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest are resilient. As they adapt to a world far removed from its wonders, we must realize our own interconnectedness to nature and to one another. Woolington colors the rich history of the Pacific Northwest within the eye of its beholder so that society can learn to live intentionally in the land that sustains us all. From the coastal tailed frog to the sandhill crane, the yellow-cedar to the camas flower, these stories reimagine what it means to live mindfully in the colorful region we call home.
Reconnect with the natural world through essays that blend science and prose. In her debut work, Josephine Woolington turns back the clock to review the events that have challenged Pacific Northwest wildlife in an effort to provide a deeper sense of place. Only then can we imagine how these imperious effects might be overcome.
Join Woolington as she sheds light on the diverse species whose populations are slowly declining from the lands, seas, and skies of the Pacific Northwest. Only by acknowledging this truth can we understand that our impact on the Earth is deeper and far more significant than we ever imagined. Through interviews with local educators, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and artists from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Haida Nation, the Yakama Nation, the Makah Tribe, and beyond, we are invited to decenter our singular perspective in favor of a more empathic, collective approach.
The flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest are resilient. As they adapt to a world far removed from its wonders, we must realize our own interconnectedness to nature and to one another. Woolington colors the rich history of the Pacific Northwest within the eye of its beholder so that society can learn to live intentionally in the land that sustains us all. From the coastal tailed frog to the sandhill crane, the yellow-cedar to the camas flower, these stories reimagine what it means to live mindfully in the colorful region we call home.
- GenresNonfictionNature
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
13 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 17, 2022
Where We Call Home: Lands, Seas, and Skies of the Pacific Northwest is a collection of seven essays on the natural history and human collections of seven native species in the Northwest United States. The essays connect the land and the people who live there, often incorporating the Indigenous knowledge of the Kalapuys, Haida, Yakama and Makah people. More than just providing information, the essays tell of how climate change and human interaction has affected these species and in return, affected us.
Camas are a beautiful purple flower that grows in the grasslands of southern Oregon north to British Columbia. The bulb of the flower is an important food for the native people. David Harrelson, Kalapuyan says "Our identities are tied together. To know yourself and to know a place, it becomes necessary to know both." The Camas like disturbed areas, but are being pushed out by invasive species. The Kalapuyan often did controlled burns to maintain a reciprocal relationship with the Camas, but were seen as irresponsible by settlers of the area. Now the Camas flower needs more room, unfragmented habitat that the Kalapuyan are trying to get back.
Sandhill Cranes are a beautiful sight to see, a bird that has been around for at least 2.5 million years. Their vocalizations are unique and they are wonderous in flight. They dance together. The Crane's habitat, however, has drastically changed in a short period of time due to human involvement. They've lost their winter homes, and less chicks survive. Each spring might be the last spring that we see Sandhill Cranes.
I loved the Hesquiaht story of the Yellow Cedar sisters. As Alice Paul said, "The story is so moving because it tells you that the yellow cedars used to be people. That story sums up the relationship that people have had with these trees." The people used the trees and in return made the environment around them better. The Yellow Cedars are an ancient tree, slow growing in areas that most other trees don't want to grow in. Their lineage is at least two hundred million years. These survivors are having a hard time adapting to our quickly warming world. Hopefully, these ancient trees have a few more tricks up their sleeves.
We all know the importance of bees. However, one of the native bees, the Western Bumble Bee, that enjoys frigid alpine, coastal forest, sagebrush and desert habitats and pollinates the Camas flower is in decline. Their decline is probably due to disease spread by commercially used European Honey Bees. Native bees pollinate native flowers, without the bees, we might lose even more biodiversity.
Coastal Tailed Frogs are unique to the Northwest streams of the Coast Range, Cascade Range, Columbia River Gorge, Olympic Mountains and Klamath Mountains. These frogs likely evolved 10 to 28 million years ago. Now, their homes are disappearing, the cold streams they need are warming. They have many special traits including their 'tail,' a unique way to move, they land in the water with a special belly flop. Conservation efforts plus the Coastal Tailed Frogs own survival traits will hopefully be enough to ensure their survival.
The Yakama people celebrate and thank the summer Huckleberry fruits together before heading to the mountains to pick a year's worth of berries. Huckleberries like a volcanic landscape, they are pollinated by native bees. Huckleberries feed the people and animals of the region. There are ancient berry drying sites hidden in the mountains that the Yakama people once used. The berries and the landscape thrive with fire that the Yakama people maintained for them, but the Forest Service had put a stop to. With most of their fields gone, the Yakama people are listening to their elders about the way the land was to be able to apply adaptive management plans.
Olympic Marmot are built for their Olympic Mountain habitat, adapted for steep cliffs, surrounded by ice. They hibernate, safe from predators for the winter. They have lived through many climate change events, but are struggling to keep up with climate change now. Marmots are social and have personalities, they can live for 50 years and their high whistles pierce the landscape. Olympic Marmots are important ecosystem engineers for the alpine meadows, they change the environment and affect the plant species around them. However, drier, warmer summers are changing the growing cycle of the meadow plants that the marmots feed on and use.
While I may not live in the Pacific Northwest, I have admired the land there, especially the diversity of habitats. These seven profiles of species highlight what we may lose if we don't change our habits and behaviors towards climate change. I admire the Native people's connection to the land and the knowledge they have for keeping everything in balance. These stories show the beauty, diversity and importance of these plants and animals in our lives. Written with a combination of facts, data, stories and anecdotes, these essays are easy to read, informative and enjoyable.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Camas are a beautiful purple flower that grows in the grasslands of southern Oregon north to British Columbia. The bulb of the flower is an important food for the native people. David Harrelson, Kalapuyan says "Our identities are tied together. To know yourself and to know a place, it becomes necessary to know both." The Camas like disturbed areas, but are being pushed out by invasive species. The Kalapuyan often did controlled burns to maintain a reciprocal relationship with the Camas, but were seen as irresponsible by settlers of the area. Now the Camas flower needs more room, unfragmented habitat that the Kalapuyan are trying to get back.
Sandhill Cranes are a beautiful sight to see, a bird that has been around for at least 2.5 million years. Their vocalizations are unique and they are wonderous in flight. They dance together. The Crane's habitat, however, has drastically changed in a short period of time due to human involvement. They've lost their winter homes, and less chicks survive. Each spring might be the last spring that we see Sandhill Cranes.
I loved the Hesquiaht story of the Yellow Cedar sisters. As Alice Paul said, "The story is so moving because it tells you that the yellow cedars used to be people. That story sums up the relationship that people have had with these trees." The people used the trees and in return made the environment around them better. The Yellow Cedars are an ancient tree, slow growing in areas that most other trees don't want to grow in. Their lineage is at least two hundred million years. These survivors are having a hard time adapting to our quickly warming world. Hopefully, these ancient trees have a few more tricks up their sleeves.
We all know the importance of bees. However, one of the native bees, the Western Bumble Bee, that enjoys frigid alpine, coastal forest, sagebrush and desert habitats and pollinates the Camas flower is in decline. Their decline is probably due to disease spread by commercially used European Honey Bees. Native bees pollinate native flowers, without the bees, we might lose even more biodiversity.
Coastal Tailed Frogs are unique to the Northwest streams of the Coast Range, Cascade Range, Columbia River Gorge, Olympic Mountains and Klamath Mountains. These frogs likely evolved 10 to 28 million years ago. Now, their homes are disappearing, the cold streams they need are warming. They have many special traits including their 'tail,' a unique way to move, they land in the water with a special belly flop. Conservation efforts plus the Coastal Tailed Frogs own survival traits will hopefully be enough to ensure their survival.
The Yakama people celebrate and thank the summer Huckleberry fruits together before heading to the mountains to pick a year's worth of berries. Huckleberries like a volcanic landscape, they are pollinated by native bees. Huckleberries feed the people and animals of the region. There are ancient berry drying sites hidden in the mountains that the Yakama people once used. The berries and the landscape thrive with fire that the Yakama people maintained for them, but the Forest Service had put a stop to. With most of their fields gone, the Yakama people are listening to their elders about the way the land was to be able to apply adaptive management plans.
Olympic Marmot are built for their Olympic Mountain habitat, adapted for steep cliffs, surrounded by ice. They hibernate, safe from predators for the winter. They have lived through many climate change events, but are struggling to keep up with climate change now. Marmots are social and have personalities, they can live for 50 years and their high whistles pierce the landscape. Olympic Marmots are important ecosystem engineers for the alpine meadows, they change the environment and affect the plant species around them. However, drier, warmer summers are changing the growing cycle of the meadow plants that the marmots feed on and use.
While I may not live in the Pacific Northwest, I have admired the land there, especially the diversity of habitats. These seven profiles of species highlight what we may lose if we don't change our habits and behaviors towards climate change. I admire the Native people's connection to the land and the knowledge they have for keeping everything in balance. These stories show the beauty, diversity and importance of these plants and animals in our lives. Written with a combination of facts, data, stories and anecdotes, these essays are easy to read, informative and enjoyable.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
March 9, 2025
Incredibly thought provoking book. Woolington takes readers through ten species that call the Pacific Northwest home, and gives a ton of detail on how they interact with their environments by talking to experts. Then on top of that, she makes the book topical by talking about how climate change, shifting public policy, or other environmental change is and could be impacting these species. This book challenges me, if in no other way than to make me appreciate the Northwest a little more.
Negative tiiiiime: Woolington waxes poetic about, for example clouds and moss, that was rough to get through. And even when she wasn’t waxing, the material isn’t exactly sexy to anyone but enthusiasts. Very interesting book but far from what I’d call exciting.
Is that fine? Sure, the most important work is usually the least sexy. Could this book have been a little more interesting? Oh yeah. Would I recommend it? Only to PNW die hards or people who love nature.
Negative tiiiiime: Woolington waxes poetic about, for example clouds and moss, that was rough to get through. And even when she wasn’t waxing, the material isn’t exactly sexy to anyone but enthusiasts. Very interesting book but far from what I’d call exciting.
Is that fine? Sure, the most important work is usually the least sexy. Could this book have been a little more interesting? Oh yeah. Would I recommend it? Only to PNW die hards or people who love nature.
April 10, 2023
I’ve lived my entire life in the Pacific Northwest and yet never knew that:
— the camas flower is not a lily but rather a member of the asparagus family
— the expansive range of a sandhill crane’s singing voice is possible in part because of its long, coiled trachea
— yellow cedar trees live 500 to 750 years, twice the age of spruces and hemlocks
— Western bumble bees keep themselves warm by shivering
— the coastal tailed frog’s “tail,” found only in males, is actually its reproductive apparatus
— huckleberries are hard to harvest commercially because of their preference for high-elevation, hard-to-reach terrain
— other names for one type of marmot is groundhog or woodchuck
— fifteen or more different types of mosses can share space on a single tree
— Oregon’s ubiquitous cumulus clouds float in the sky despite weighing millions of tons
— The gray whale’s journey is the longest of any mammal — between 10,000 and 14,000 miles every year.
The above are just a few of the fascinating factoids I learned while reading “Where We Call Home,” a collection of 10 essays, arranged by season, that details the lives of several notable plants and animals native to the Pacific Northwest.
Two common themes emerge over the spectrum of these essays. One, the indigenous people of the Northwest are considerably more knowledgeable, and reverential, about the other species that share this corner of the world. Two, almost all of the plants and animals celebrated here are at some risk of extinction because of human encroachment and obliviousness.
While the subject matter is of definite parochial interest to me, I admit what first drew me to this book was its author, Portland writer Josephine Woolington. In my previous life as a newspaper editor, I had the privilege of working with many intern and just-graduated journalism students from the University of Oregon. None was as naturally gifted, or journalistically tenacious, as Josephine.
She apparently was also prescient, recognizing before most of the rest of us that print newspapers’ days were numbered. She decided to explore and excel at other disciplines, such as yoga and music. But she clearly never lost her talents as an ultra-curious interviewer, indefatigable researcher or graceful writer, all on fine display here.
— the camas flower is not a lily but rather a member of the asparagus family
— the expansive range of a sandhill crane’s singing voice is possible in part because of its long, coiled trachea
— yellow cedar trees live 500 to 750 years, twice the age of spruces and hemlocks
— Western bumble bees keep themselves warm by shivering
— the coastal tailed frog’s “tail,” found only in males, is actually its reproductive apparatus
— huckleberries are hard to harvest commercially because of their preference for high-elevation, hard-to-reach terrain
— other names for one type of marmot is groundhog or woodchuck
— fifteen or more different types of mosses can share space on a single tree
— Oregon’s ubiquitous cumulus clouds float in the sky despite weighing millions of tons
— The gray whale’s journey is the longest of any mammal — between 10,000 and 14,000 miles every year.
The above are just a few of the fascinating factoids I learned while reading “Where We Call Home,” a collection of 10 essays, arranged by season, that details the lives of several notable plants and animals native to the Pacific Northwest.
Two common themes emerge over the spectrum of these essays. One, the indigenous people of the Northwest are considerably more knowledgeable, and reverential, about the other species that share this corner of the world. Two, almost all of the plants and animals celebrated here are at some risk of extinction because of human encroachment and obliviousness.
While the subject matter is of definite parochial interest to me, I admit what first drew me to this book was its author, Portland writer Josephine Woolington. In my previous life as a newspaper editor, I had the privilege of working with many intern and just-graduated journalism students from the University of Oregon. None was as naturally gifted, or journalistically tenacious, as Josephine.
She apparently was also prescient, recognizing before most of the rest of us that print newspapers’ days were numbered. She decided to explore and excel at other disciplines, such as yoga and music. But she clearly never lost her talents as an ultra-curious interviewer, indefatigable researcher or graceful writer, all on fine display here.
August 12, 2024
As someone who knows very little about botany or biology but loves anthropology and has a fledgling interest in geology, Where We Call Home was a fascinating and lovely book that brought everything together for me. Focusing on several Pacific Northwest plant and animal species, Woolington managed to provide information that was both deep and broad, very scientific and yet really easy to understand without a lot of background knowledge.
One of my favorite takeaways from the book was the incredible scale of time in which these species have existed. So many common species have been around relatively unchanged for hundreds of millions of years! I also learned that moss was the first plant to move out of the water to land, and at one point covered the earth. Probably the most incredible thing I learned was that Kalapuyan people in the Willamette Valley have knowledge of where they sought high ground during the huge Missoula flood 18,000 years ago.
For people who are interested in the natural world and the natural and human history of our region, this is an approachable, extremely well-considered and extremely interesting book to read, regardless of your prior knowledge. I highly recommend it!
One of my favorite takeaways from the book was the incredible scale of time in which these species have existed. So many common species have been around relatively unchanged for hundreds of millions of years! I also learned that moss was the first plant to move out of the water to land, and at one point covered the earth. Probably the most incredible thing I learned was that Kalapuyan people in the Willamette Valley have knowledge of where they sought high ground during the huge Missoula flood 18,000 years ago.
For people who are interested in the natural world and the natural and human history of our region, this is an approachable, extremely well-considered and extremely interesting book to read, regardless of your prior knowledge. I highly recommend it!
December 9, 2024
This is a journey into the profound connection between human and non-human life, urging readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature and the land they inhabit. The writing encourages mindfulness and attention to the long histories and ecosystems that have shaped the Pacific Northwest, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by colonization, environmental destruction, and the ongoing climate crisis. Beautifully crafted, the prose and the book's messages have the vibes of Sir David Attenborough’s narration.
"If everything you take requires reciprocity and exchange, it would affect the way you act."
"Our history isn't written in books. It's written on the landscape. They remind you of all these lessons and all these things that give you a fuller way to live your life."
"Native people look seven generations into the future, making sure to use what the land provides them with today, but leaving enough for others decades from now."
"Caring for a landscape, from a tribal perspective, requires generations-worth of respect and exchange."
"What would spring be, after all, without their [sandhill cranes’] dancing and poise? Without their voices carrying across landscapes as they have since before anyone can remember to welcome the warmer season of hope?"
"If everything you take requires reciprocity and exchange, it would affect the way you act."
"Our history isn't written in books. It's written on the landscape. They remind you of all these lessons and all these things that give you a fuller way to live your life."
"Native people look seven generations into the future, making sure to use what the land provides them with today, but leaving enough for others decades from now."
"Caring for a landscape, from a tribal perspective, requires generations-worth of respect and exchange."
"What would spring be, after all, without their [sandhill cranes’] dancing and poise? Without their voices carrying across landscapes as they have since before anyone can remember to welcome the warmer season of hope?"
August 12, 2025
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so reading Josephine Woolington’s book felt like taking a walk through my own backyard, while giving me the ability to see so much more than I normally would. It’s such a great reminder to slow down and “smell the roses,” or in this case, notice the frogs, cranes, cedars, and camas flowers that make this place so special. The essays are not just beautifully written, they’re fun to read, thoughtful, and very educational. It made me think about the PNW in ways I never had before, even though I’ve lived here my whole life!
This book made me want to get outside more, pay attention, and remember how connected we all are to the land and to each other. I loved it.
This book made me want to get outside more, pay attention, and remember how connected we all are to the land and to each other. I loved it.
March 9, 2025
This was a very enlightening read.
I appreciated Woolington's consistent acknowledgement of the first and original stewards of the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest. Her writing invites you to form a deeper connection and higher level of appreciation for the Plants and Animals that live here through the lens of shared stewardship.
The prose of this book brought me a sense of calmness and added a new meditation to my morning routine. I'd definitely recommend to any nature-lover, or anyone that wants to pick up a few new fun facts to share with your hiking buddies.
I appreciated Woolington's consistent acknowledgement of the first and original stewards of the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest. Her writing invites you to form a deeper connection and higher level of appreciation for the Plants and Animals that live here through the lens of shared stewardship.
The prose of this book brought me a sense of calmness and added a new meditation to my morning routine. I'd definitely recommend to any nature-lover, or anyone that wants to pick up a few new fun facts to share with your hiking buddies.
July 13, 2023
"They lived on little islands surrounded by ice. I picture them poking their dark, round noses over ledges and looking down in valleys encased in ice sheets half a mile thick..." Such is the vividness of Josephine Woolington's essays on the Olympic marmot, for example, that makes this book such a pleasant read. From camas to whales to huckleberries, every essay is a tribute to a unique Pacific Northwest denizen, inviting us to be curious and learn more about our neighbors where we call home.
July 16, 2022
This book offered an interesting insight into some Native peoples and cultures, as well as native plant and animal species of the Pacific-Northwestern USA. The author is clearly passionate about the subject. This was a well researched, quick and enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews