'Ponderosa Pete' ready to spark
forest interest with kids

Two NAU graduates looking to enlighten children about forest health created a book about a tassel-eared squirrel and his talkative 330-year-old ponderosa pine friend.

Ponderosa Pete, written by Julie Blake Gidley and illustrated by Scott Sink, both graduates of NAU and employees of its Ecological Restoration Institute, takes young audiences on a journey through a ponderosa pine forest as Bertie the squirrel and Ponderosa Pete tell tales of forest health.

"It's important to let people know how important healthy forests are, and that kids can do something about it. By reaching young people now, we hope to protect future forests," said Gidley, who earned a bachelor's in environmental science in 1999 and her master's in liberal studies in 2005. Sink earned a bachelor's in forestry in 2004.

With bright illustrations and simple but creative language, the book's friendly characters discuss the tough issues they face in their forest home. Ponderosa Pete explains how ponderosa pine forests grew overpopulated following the Euro-American settlement of the Southwest, and how unhealthy ecosystems are prone to forest fires. He also offers advice on respecting forests and keeping them fit.

"I don't know of any other books that explain ponderosa forests to kids and the reasons why catastrophic wildfires are taking place," said Robin Long, coordinator of student services for the Ecological Research Institute.

Gidley and Sink began the project as a study guide for children while still at NAU, but as the project grew, they decided a book could reach more kids. A $10,000 Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund grant made the book publication possible.

The Ecological Restoration Institute, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center will distribute Ponderosa Pete, and a complementary activity kit, to teachers and libraries around northern Arizona.

"When we give the book to teachers, they will also get student activity kits prepared to go with it," Long said. "We hope to provide teacher training sessions about ponderosa pine forest health in the fall."

Schools and libraries interested in receiving copies of Ponderosa Pete can contact Long at (928) 523-7187.