Out On A Limb: Saving the Urban Tree Canopy; The City Project, Book 3

The City Project #3

by Erna Buffie

It's often said that trees are the only form of city infrastructure that actually increase in value and capacity over time. So why have so many North American cities historically underfunded their care and maintenance? And why do we continue to indiscriminately mow down trees – and entire urban forests? 

Out On A Limb answers these questions and more, as it explores the secret lives and extraordinary infrastructure benefits of trees in cities, the critical role urban forests can play in increasing climate resiliency, and how grassroots organizations can empower city leaders to invest in the urban trees and forests we love–and need.

Genres: Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

About "Let Us Be True:"

See an interview about the writing of Let Us Be True:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5Z1...

"...Let Us Be True remains vital, present and taut throughout. A story as starkly beautiful as a prairie landscape."
The Globe and Mail

"...delicously vivid prose..."
CBC Books

"Buffie has crafted a stunning addition to the Canadian literary canon…"
The Calgary Journal


About Erna Buffie:

"Let Us Be True" is Erna Buffie's first novel. Her short stories have appeared in various journals from Room to The Vagrant Review of New Fiction. Over the past 25 years, Erna has worked in the film industry, producing award-winning documentary films, for broadcasters around the world. Her most recent film "Smarty Plants" won for best direction at the Canadian Screen Awards and aired on PBS Nature under the title "What Plants Talk About." After living in Montreal and Halifax, she decided to return to her hometown, Winnipeg, in 2011.

Reviews

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have benefitted from more extensive citations, I think.