The Outdoor World of the Sacramento Region

This new edition of the American River Natural History Association’s field guide to the Sacramento area outdoors is available at some local bookstores and at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael’s Ancil Hoffman Park. It’s the most recent version of a project started decades ago by the legendary Effie Yeaw and J. Martin “Mike” Weber, and it’s an incredibly useful tool for anyone who wants to explore the local out-of-doors. Starting with a brief introduction to taxonomy and a quick overview of the natural history of the area, most of the book is devoted to an exhaustive cataloging of the region’s flora and fauna. Entries are accompanied by detailed black-and-white drawings to aid in identification. At only $12.95, it’s a real bargain that belongs in every Sacramentan’s backpack.