Arctic Gardens: Voices from An Abundant Land

Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land

Review by Jeff Deal

Few places on Earth have galvanized the hearts and minds of those seeking to safeguard and strengthen Earth’s precious cultural heritage and natural wonders like the Arctic. Dr. Harvard Ayers, Landon Pennington and David Harmon’s book, “Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land,” is a firsthand account of the detrimental effects that fossil fuels and global warming inflict on one of North America’s last great wild ranges: the Arctic region of Canada and Alaska. Through interviews with 100 native people — Indians, Eskimos and Inuvialuit — the authors document the formidable challenges wrought by industrial global climate change on the cultures and people who have lived successfully in concert with the land and wildlife of the Arctic for thousands of years.The eyewitness accounts are supported by scientific evidence from the areas of biology, earth science, anthropology and ecology, and create a strong case for defending and bettering the world, on which all our lives, and the future, depend. You can purchase the book in print or electronic format at arcticvoices.org

Signs of Life

In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

‘First Line of Defense’

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

Alice and Gary Stevens stand on their new 40-foot bridge with their dog in Watauga County, N.C.

The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery

Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.

Since the proposed federal prison near Roxana was first announced, it has faced opposition from some local residents. Photo by Willie Dodson

After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain

A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.

Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin after the storm. Photo courtesy of Ballad Health

The Washout and Rebuild

For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.

Shenandoah salamander. Photo by Rob and Ann Simpson

The Shenandoah Salamander

The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.

Arctic Gardens: Voices from An Abundant Land