Conservation journalist Ben Goldfarb will read from his most recent book, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, on Monday, June 17, at Elk River Books, in an event sponsored by the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) and Yellowstone Safe Passages (YSP).
Crossings, named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times and the New Yorker, is a scientific and literary feat, highlighting the impact of the 40 million miles of roadways that encircle our planet. For wildlife and ecosystems, roads are forces of disruption and at times causes of death. The reading will be followed by a Q&A with Goldfarb, wildlife crossing expert Liz Fairbank from the CLLC, Max Hjortsberg from Park County Environmental Council, and YSP coordinator Daniel Anderson.
Goldfarb is an environmental journalist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, and many other publications. In addition to Crossings, he is the author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, which received the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Elise, and his dog, Kit — which is, of course, what you call a baby beaver.
The CLLC is a Montana-based nonprofit that works both locally and globally to promote ecological connectivity, support healthy wildlife habitats, and safeguard nature’s resilience to climate change. As a road ecologist for the organization, Fairbank focuses on improving habitat connectivity and reducing the negative impacts of roads on wildlife and ecosystems.
YSP is a community of citizens who live, work, and play in the Upper Yellowstone watershed, partnering with government agencies, elected officials, private foundations, community groups, conservation groups, anglers, local landowners, business owners, and individuals who are working to enhance the safety of people and wildlife traveling along Highway 89.
Elk River Books is located at 122 S. 2nd St. in downtown Livingston. The free event begins at 7 p.m., and a book signing and reception will follow.
