• Uncover the "secrets of the grasslands" with the front cover of "The Prairie Keepers," featuring a scenic photograph of the vast Oregon prairie under a soft sky. The screen showcases a prominent endorsement from The New York Times Book Review calling it an "effective portrait of an ecosystem". This Fehmerling Books paperback is a perfect addition for those interested in environmental conservation and the human-nature relationship.
  • Explore a story that "mixes memoir, ecology, and travel writing" with the back cover of "The Prairie Keepers". The screen displays a vibrant photo of the Oregon prairie at sunset, with text describing Marcy Houle's search for hawks in a symbolic battleground of ranchers and environmentalists. This Fehmerling Books paperback is an essential read for anyone interested in environmental conservation and nature writing.
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Marcy Cottrell Houle | Nature Writing, Environmental Science, and Science/Nature

The Prairie Keepers by Marcy Cottrell Houle

The Prairie Keepers by Marcy Cottrell Houle

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A Marcy Cottrell Houle Wildlife Conservation Study of Oregon's Zumwalt Prairie

High above the rolling shortgrass prairie of Oregon's two-hundred-square-mile Zumwalt Prairie, hawk researcher Marcy Cottrell Houle discovered the densest concentration of nesting raptors in the lower forty-eight states. Originally expecting a routine biological survey, Houle found herself caught in the middle of a bitter land-use dispute between local cattle ranchers and environmental conservationists.

Through careful field observations of ferruginous, red-tailed, and Swainson's hawks, Houle uncovered a startling ecological truth: managed cattle grazing actively preserved the prairie ecosystem and prey base required for the raptors' survival, proving that ranchers and wildlife depend on one another.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Marcy Cottrell Houle pairs rigorous field biology with empathetic human storytelling and natural history. An inspiring environmental reading for conservationists, birders, and Pacific Northwest nature lovers.

Edition & Specifications

Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company

Pages: 276

Format: Paperback

Publication Date: 1996

ISBN: 9780201408218

Condition Note:

Condition & Grading Guide

How We Grade Our Books

  • 📸 True-to-Life Photos: For all vintage and pre-loved books, the photos on the page are of the exact physical copy on our shelf. Brand-new books feature official publisher cover art.
  • New: Direct from the publisher; immaculate, unread condition.
  • Like New: Pristine condition with minimal to no shelf wear; looks unread.
  • Very Good: Lightly read with minor shelf wear or light cover creasing. Pages are clean, crisp, and unmarked with a tight binding. (Our baseline standard for pre-loved books.)
  • Good: A well-loved reading copy with visible shelf wear or page aging, but fully intact and structurally sound.

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  • Damaged in Transit? If your shipment arrives damaged or incorrect, email us within 72 hours of delivery scan at customerservice@fehmerlingbooks.com. We’ll evaluate it immediately and provide a prepaid return label and replacement or full refund.
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