"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks"
– John Muir
This is a book about Britain's wildlife; how to discover it, and the adventures we can have with it. Its aim is to show that you don't have to travel to the nether reaches of the Arctic or the deepest corners of the Amazon rainforest to experience weird and wonderful creatures – they are right here, on our doorstep.
In a world where nature is slowly being replaced by technology and material things, every single one of us could do with appreciating the flora and fauna that we have. To spend time in the outdoors, exploring, searching and learning; teaching ourselves that there is life beyond our laptop screens. And it needs our help. Every day we lose more species, more habitat – but how are we meant to know what to save if we don't know what we will lose? Hidden Nature is about just that.
Written by a young conservationist who hasn't quite grown up, it details her small adventures travelling the UK in search of wildlife encounters, often on a shoestring budget. From ancient forests and coastal wilderness, to bustling city streets and suburban back gardens, nature is everywhere – if you know where to look. Featuring unique illustrations and photography, Britain's wild things will inspire you to get out there and discover the UK's hidden wilderness.
Isla Hodgson is a Zoologist, wildlife journalist and freelance researcher for natural history film. She is currently based in Scotland, studying for a PhD in conservation conflict (essentially a big excuse for some adventuring). She has a strong passion for conservation, and her popular blog Where The Wild Things Live was born from a desire to spark that enthusiasm in others, starting with the wildlife we have at home. She is never happier than when trudging around in the outdoors, preferably with a dog, although she is still working on that.