A NATURAL HISTORY OF EMPTY LOTS Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places

Whether he's spotting a fox or watching big ants, Christopher Brown is easygoing as he talks about the nature he encounters on his street in Austin's edgeland. Exploring nature has been a constant part of his life since he built a home on an empty lot. Brown has taken apart a birds' nest to find plastic used as a construction material. He tells of his dream of incorporating urban wild space into cities with a sense of humor. His voice never has an edge, but his disenchantment with gentrification and threats to natural spaces comes through. Brown's an engaging advocate for walking and observing nature in urban places, as well as nature preservation. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]