In honor of Black History Month, here are some great reads that braid the Black experience and the natural world.
The Home Place, by J. Drew Lanham
Subtitled “Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature,” this work masterfully intertwines the personal, historical, and environmental. Lanham, an ornithologist, takes readers through his life growing up in Edgefield County, South Carolina. It’s a place with a lasting legacy of slavery, where generations of Lanhams have deep roots. As he reflects on his relationship with the land, Lanham reveals the complicated intersection of his Black identity with his love for the natural world—a space historically dominated by white voices. Filled with moments of humor, heartbreak, and profound insight, The Home Place offers a poignant meditation on belonging, identity, and the environmental struggles that come with living in a place of such rich, painful history. Perfect for anyone interested in how conservation, race, and personal legacy intersect in today’s world.
Sparrow Envy: Field Guide to Birds and Lesser Beasts, by J. Drew Lanham
Lanham’s follow-up to his 2016 memoir is this slim but powerful poetry volume published in 2021. The poems reflect Lanham’s obsession with birds while grappling with complex questions of identity, safety, and belonging, particularly as one of the few Black birders in a predominantly white community. His lyrical writing shifts effortlessly between the wonder of nature—whether it’s the song of a cicada or the flight of a sandpiper—and the deeper, sometimes uncomfortable truths about race and visibility. With a keen eye for both the natural world and the subtle dynamics of human interaction, Lanham sheds light on the tension of existing as a “rare bird” in this world. This is a must-read for anyone interested in how nature, identity, and the human experience intersect in the pursuit of something as simple yet profound as watching birds.
This captivating blend of memoir, travelogue, and birding primer takes readers on a transformative journey through the world of birds and self-discovery. Known for a viral incident in Central Park in 2020, Cooper shares the story of his life leading up to that moment. He deftly explores how his passion for birdwatching has shaped his identity as a Black, gay man in America. Through vivid tales of birding in places like Africa, Australia, and the Himalayas, the author celebrates what birds can teach us about resilience, self-acceptance, and finding space in a world that’s not always welcoming. His humor, insight, and deep love for the natural world shine through the book. This memoir will resonate with nature lovers, those interested in identity and activism, and anyone looking for an inspiring and eye-opening adventure.
Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks, by Crystal Wilkinson
In a book that’s as much about land as it is about food, Crystal Wilkinson honors the Black Appalachian women who came before her. She explores how generations of Black women shaped their lives—and their meals—around what the land provided. Through rich storytelling and soulful recipes, Wilkinson reminds us that food can preserve history, culture, and deep-rooted connections to place. This book is a feast for anyone who believes the land holds our stories, just waiting to be told.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director