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The history and legacy of the western United States involve more than just cowboys and covered wagons. Tangible pieces of our past lay within mixed-conifer forests that dot the region. Trees not only form a vital part of the contemporary western U.S. ecological system, but that of the future, as well. Unfortunately, deforestation and poor management have threatened the benefits and beauty of these natural resources.

Who knew airport layovers could foster so much creativity! Co-authors Bruce L. Batten and Philip C. Brown join us today to chat about the inspiration and processes behind their new book, Environment and Society in the Japanese Islands: From Prehistory to the Present. Both well-respected historians in their fields, Batten and Brown collaborated to offer readers a fascinating glimpse into the complex connection between humans and nature, and how that relationship has changed over time.

Like the smell of rain on wet pavement or the taste of a good microbrew, Douglas fir forests seem patently Oregonian. Trees feature prominently in our landscapes, in the Capitol building, and even on our license plates. Today, many lobbyists and citizens push for the conservation of old-growth forests that preserve such an iconic and integral aspect of our state. But forest conservation hasn’t always been at the forefront of Oregonians’ concerns.

Time for a little history lesson. Did you know Oregon has an official state flower? It’s the Oregon grape. How about an official state dance? We do indeed: the square dance. And what about our state book? No idea? Perhaps that’s because we don’t actually have one.

On March 23, The Oregonian’s editorial board created waves in the literary community by asking readers which title could be considered the state’s official book. Although no movement exists to push for such a thing, the editors were inspired by a recent bill in Mississippi that offered the Bible as the state’s official tome. Suggestions quickly poured in as passionate readers defended their favorite titles and debated definitions and potential categories.

Books represent large undertakings. The writing process is arduous, the time lengthy, and the research often difficult, even dangerous. So what leads authors to pour their hearts and souls into such laborious work? Author Kurt Fausch joins us today to share what drove him to create his recently published book, For the Love of Rivers. Staying true to his scientific background, yet venturing into the connection between nature and emotion, Fausch offers his audience a book that reads much like a journey—and today, he invites us to come along.

Kris Anderson is the co-author of State of Giving: Stories of Oregon Volunteers, Donors, and Nonprofits, along with the former president of the Oregon Community Foundation, Greg Chaillé. In anticipation of the book's imminent publication in April 2015, we asked Kris to share some of her experiences writing the book, as well as her take on what makes Oregon such an inspiring place.

Researching State of Giving meant a lot of time on the road. So we can tell you this with authority: Oregon’s scenic byways host some iconic roadside attractions. Petersen’s Rock Gardens, Harvey the Rabbit, and the world’s largest pig hairball, to name a few. But the Prehistoric Gardens on Highway 101 is one of the more arresting. Cruising along the southern coast’s wave-beaten monoliths and forested headlands, a bend in the road brings you face-to-face with a life-size T-Rex reaching with feeble arms and a cartoonish expression towards your car.

What is the inherent value of a forest? Is there an achievable compromise between human and preservation concerns within forest management? Jim Furnish, author of newly released Toward a Natural Forest, knows firsthand how difficult these questions can be to answer. A former US Forest Service deputy chief, Furnish draws greatly upon his own experiences in the agency to create a contemplative memoir that is as thought provoking as it is informative. Furnish joins us today to share his hopes for the future of forest stewardship in the United States.

Happy World Book Day! Yes, it’s a thing and yes, it’s definitely worth celebrating. Books ignite passion across the globe, serving as catalysts for the spread of information and ideas. From the first cuneiform tablets to modern digital readers, the written word has proved to be an invaluable tool.

And it’s precisely that utility for creativity that World Book Day aims to celebrate. According to the event website, World Book Day is a “worldwide celebration of books and reading,” created to “encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.” With the help of dozens of publishers and booksellers, more than 14 million children will receive free book vouchers redeemable at participating stores.

On February 28, Oregon will officially recognize the birthday of one of its most prominent citizens with an eponymic day of remembrance. According to a proclamation signed by former governor John Kitzhaber, the state will celebrate Linus Carl Pauling Day this Saturday as “a time to recognize the life and work of [the] great Oregonian and American.”

Linus Carl Pauling was a renowned scientist and peace activist who would become the only individual to be awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes (one for Chemistry in 1954 and the other for Peace in 1962). A native of Portland, Pauling attended Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) and Caltech before achieving international acclaim for his work with chemical bonds, molecular biology, and Vitamin C.