The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The cover of Abby Richmond's book, Starring Eliza. © Abby Richmond

The cover of Abby Richmond's book.

“My mom’s face softened, no doubt remembering taking teensy babies and little first grader Eliza to Muir Woods, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. ‘Redwood timber is in all of us, Mom,’ I pleaded in my head.”

Redwood timber is also deep within Abby Richmond, the 12-year-old author of that passage and her newest book, Starring Eliza.

“I’ve always loved nature. I love, LOVE going outside and I love animals,” says Abby. “We took a trip to California when I was in the 4th grade and Muir Woods was such an amazing place. I had been thinking about writing a new book, and being among the huge redwood trees inspired me.”

Not only is this wunderkind writing books, but she has also donated 100% of the proceeds of Starring Eliza – $1400 so far – to The Nature Conservancy.

Abby is in the 7th grade. She was born and raised in Boston, but two years ago, traveled with her family to California. They spent a day among redwood trees in the John Muir Woods preserve, and she said it changed her.

“The main character in my book, Eliza, really loves nature too. At the start of the book she lives in San Francisco but is forced to move to Massachusetts. She finds out a month or two later from a friend in California that the governor has a plan to cut down a bunch of trees – redwoods, no less – for new buildings. She becomes a young activist and uses her creative writing to save the redwoods. “

When asked why she chose The Nature Conservancy as the organization to receive her donated funds, Abby says that she and her parents decided that the Conservancy was the best choice.

“You know, The Nature Conservancy, it’s sort of famous,” says Abby.

Not to mention that the Conservancy works throughout Massachusetts and California and has protected millions of acres of important habitat for people and nature throughout both states.

Abby, the The Nature Conservancy thanks you.

If you’d like a copy of Abby Richmond’s book, visit her website, abbyrichmondbooks.com