Nature Aware Magazine

12/06/2024

My new children's book, Little Mango, is available starting TODAY!!!
There's still time to order now and receive it for the holidays! I think it would make a perfect stocking stuffer 😁.

I'm really happy to share the story of Little Mango, which is based on my real-life observations of wild long-tailed macaques for the past three years.

Developed with guidance from several early childhood education professionals, parents and children, the book explores themes of independence, curiosity, attachment and coping with fear. Little Mango is an uplifting and educational storybook made for emerging readers and children of all ages.

Illustrated by me, the detailed images help the readers know the amazing world Little Mango lives in and all of the exciting creatures who share his home.

Parents, teachers, children and animal lovers will delight in this finely crafted tale.

The book also contains an educational resource link/QR code to take readers deeper into Little Mango's unique ecosystem.

My hope, as a citizen science primatologist, is that the book will inspire an interest in long-tailed macaques, who are currently an endangered species.

Help spread the word. Please, share and repost the link to Little Mango!

😊🐒♥️

Little Mango https://a.co/d/1b0O5wI
Little Mango

09/07/2023

Absolutely critical issues surrounding long-tailed macaques and their rapidly declining numbers.
So many of my friends and colleagues worked on this, which accounts for several years of research. Give it a read if you're interested in endangered species, animal conservation, primatology or animal rights:

American Journal of Primatology is a broad-scope primates journal publishing studies from all areas of the field, from behavioral ecology to molecular genetics.

05/12/2021

During the past decade, I've traveled the world to photograph, film, and write about… Rick Wood needs your support for Help Rick study primates using VR tech!

12/22/2020

10/28/2020

07/17/2020

Have you experienced a deeper connection with nature since the pandemic hit?
Many folks are spending more time outside, closer to home. Gardening, feeding birds and wildlife, hiking, and camping seem to be all the rage currently.
If you've noticed an uptick in your connection to nature I definitely want to hear your stories!

07/08/2020

Hard copies of Issue 3 have arrived in the mail!! 😁😁😁

07/03/2020

Printed copies of Issue 3 are scheduled to arrive on July 6th!

Let me know if you want one. Eight copies are already spoken for, but there are at least 10 left to order (as of today).😁😁😁

06/26/2020

Hi there! I hope everyone is reading Issue 3 right now. If you'd like to order a printed copy of the magazine issue, please message me! There will be 12 copies available for purchase.
The printed copies will be mailed on July 8TH
The cost is $10 (it includes the printing costs and shipping - in the USA only)

06/23/2020

Guess what's LIVE?
😁😁😁

https://online.fliphtml5.com/mdly/elhr/ =1

Nature Aware Magazine is proud to present the Harbor Seal Species Spotlight Special Issue (Issue 3, Vol. 1)In this edition, we explore the ecology, news, conservation and rescue efforts for harbor seals in North America. Dive deep into these amazing pinnipeds!

06/20/2020

COVER REVEAL!!!!
Here's the finalized version of Issue 3's cover!
We can't wait for folks to read it starting June 26th!

06/19/2020

Issue 3 will be LIVE starting June 26th!!! Be on the lookout!
Harbor seal special issue will not disappoint! :)

06/17/2020

Getting closer to the publication of Issue 3!!! Can't wait to unveil the special Harbor Seal edition! :)

Here is a brief video that describes what Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers might do while seal sitting harbor seal pups. For more informati...

05/19/2020

As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic Nature Aware Media has formally closed business operations in Washington State. All of the magazine's revenue streams evaporated with the onset of the global Coronavirus crisis.
At this time I am unable to shoulder the costs of maintaining the website, online editing services, freelance help, printing or library hosting for new digital editions (though, I'm exploring month-to-month options to maintain the previous editions in archive).
The decision saddens me. Nature Aware Magazine was a personal dream of mine, and the resulting publication contained wonderful, exclusive content.
I still intend to publish Issue 3 as a noncommercial edition. It will be delayed, but is still likely to come out next month.
Nature Aware Media, as a company, had a one-year run that was truly enjoyable. I owe sincere gratitude to the readers, contributors, and staff. It is my sincere hope to explore rekindling the magazine at some point in the future.
Thank you all for being a part of the magazine and sharing the amazing stories and images from each issue.
I will update progress on Issue 3 very soon.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

- Rick Wood, publisher

03/21/2020

We're still here.

Nature Aware Magazine has always been about bringing educational information to the public in authoritative and engaging ways. Now, more than ever, I feel driven to continue to tell stories about the natural world, our fellow animals, and our place in all of it.
Our species is currently experiencing a global pandemic. COVID-19 has changed the very fabric of our societies, and will continue to challenge us and modify our lifestyles.
The inherent dangers of a viral pandemic should not paralyze us with fear. Instead, we should steel ourselves and rise up to meet the needs of our families and communities with compassion and strength.
We are all in this together.
Nature Aware Magazine will continue to publish. However, I am shifting the company to strictly a noncommercial enterprise. The publication will no longer sell advertising space, nor collect subscription fees, and all issues will be free to read online (as they currently are).
My hope is to help parents who now face the daunting reality of providing homeschooling education directly and daily. Please, utilize the vetted articles found in Nature Aware Magazine to augment learning materials and assignments related to biology, Earth science, marine biology, and sociology.
Additionally, my books (Nature Aware and Rough Cut: Lessons from Endangered Species) will be made available for FREE download as ebooks. The two books examine ecology, animal conservation, climate change and animal rescue issues.
Also, all of my documentary films are currently free to watch online. Those films cover sea turtles, orca whales, and sea otters (see links below).
One other note: COVID-19 has impacted the editorial schedule for the magazine. Issue Three will come out in May instead of April, but we are working on it. Fear not.
Stay calm. Stay healthy. We are in this together, and we will get though it!

Best wishes,

Rick Wood, publisher

Documentary film links:

Deconstructing Eden (Sea Otters) https://vimeo.com/236457406

Fragile Waters (Southern Resident Orcas) https://vimeo.com/116219820

Journey Home (Sea Turtles) https://youtu.be/Ho7_GCroobU

How are Southern Sea Otters linked to the survival of an entire ecosystem? Learn the amazing answers and see the results of one of the greatest animal conservation…

01/07/2020

Cover reveal for the Spring 2020 Issue! (coming April 2020)

Harbor seals and their amazing lives!

01/02/2020

Love animals, hate bias?

Read Nature Aware Magazine.

https://fliphtml5.com/mdly/hazq

12/24/2019

I'm pretty proud of Nature Aware Magazine. I'd like to share something personal with all of you that will underscore the reason why I feel the way do.

I conceptualized the magazine in late 2018. My goal was simply to tell stories related to the Natural World – with a strong emphasis on animals – that would be uplifting and educational. The best format I could think of was to do the periodical digitally so it could be easily shared with as many folks as possible.

Pragmatically, I had to think of the costs involved in creating a quality magazine. There were four key components: website, layout, issue hosting (in readable form), and editing. Initially, Nature Aware Magazine was a solo project, and the thought of being a one-man-band was daunting.

During Issue One I hired freelance editing help, paid a professional artist to do original editorial cartoons, and received enormous help from Reesa Carlson as an additional editor. Reesa continues to help edit each issue.

I have other roles in my life. Chiefly, I am primary caretaker for my terminally ill mother and my physically disabled father. Additionally, I volunteer as a marine mammal stranding responder, and I work part-time at a local nonprofit thrift store.

Though I face certain obstacles in my abilities I am fortunate that I am able to take care of my parents. I suffer from the debilitating effects of Meniere's Disease (severe vertigo, deafness, and loss of balance), and am a disabled veteran (combat-related PTSD). I have to make adaptations and adjustments in my daily life to function effectively. Anything I aspire to do creatively usually takes profound effort. Still, I would never let that inhibit my goals.

The past few weeks have been rife with more difficult challenges for me. I apologize for going quiet just when Issue Two was gaining traction. My priorities shifted for a short amount of time – as well they always should – to my family. I'm pleased by the reception of that issue, and grateful to all who've shared it with friends and family.

Thank you for still being here. I can promise you we are working on Issue Three and it's going to be the most amazing edition to date!

So, my pride in creating Nature Aware Magazine stems directly from the passion, care and excitement of publishing a periodical unlike any other in the world.

I share all of this with my readers so that you can join me in celebrating the accomplishment of producing Nature Aware Magazine. This publication is read in more than eight different countries, by more than 1500 people. My readers are of all ages, cultures, and have such wonderfully diverse backgrounds.

As we look towards 2020 I feel a renewal of spirit, a deepening sense of purpose, and unbridled enthusiasm for the future of Nature Aware Magazine. There's some great stuff coming up. I can't wait to share it with you!

Happy Holidays to you and yours. Best wishes, today and always. May there be hope for Peace on Earth, and an awakening to being Nature Aware.

Cheers,

Rick Wood, Publisher