I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my new book for release May 20, 2025 by Holy Cow! Press. Jim Perlman is the founding editor and publisher of this longstanding, independent press housed in Duluth, Minnesota. I'm delighted to be part of this prestigious history!

This memoir tells the story of my moving through grief at the loss of my father, which was helped by taking up his legacy and continuing to lead educational tree ID treks in a nearby city park. Included in my personal narrative is the story of my becoming a master naturalist and how that added a scientific perspective to my career as a visual artist. The writing seamlessly weaves science, philosophy, and observations on the beauty of the world around us into my story of loss. In this way, the reader travels beyond the personal into a universal connection we all have with nature, and the vital importance of nature -- and of course trees! -- in our lives.

A lot of love went into this work. As a visual artist, I contributed pencil drawings at the beginning of each chapter as well as creating the painting for and designing the cover. Each chapter is titled with a genus or family or tree, which the drawing reflects.

Tree Trek: A Daughter's Walk Through Grief