A new book by naturalist Ralph Waldt

The author, Ralph Waldt
Photo © Courtesy of Ralph Waldt

Perhaps only a love for the Crown and a respect for Ralph Waldt could have brought together the other writers who appear in this book; Nationally acclaimed novelist Ivan Doig, award-winning wildlife author and National Geographic contributor Douglas Chadwick, and international grizzly bear expert Dr. Charles Jonkel, who has shared numerous Crown trails with Ralph. In addition, thirteen wildlife and landscape photographers add their stunning work to Ralph’s gorgeous book.

Foreward by Ivan Doig

Preface by Dr. Charles Jonkel

Afterword by Douglas Chadwick

Published by Riverbend Publishing, Helena, MT

For thirty years naturalist Ralph Waldt dedicated himself to exploring the wildlife and natural features of the 10-million-acre Crown of the Continent region.

Now he has put his observations of the natural world — in both photo and narrative — into his first book: Crown of the Continent, The Last Great Wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.

As the Conservancy's naturalist at the Pine Butte Guest Ranch, Ralph impressed many a visitor with his uncanny ability to see things in nature that others miss. Noted author Ivan Doig wrote: "Once on a trail I listened to him give an impromptu impassioned talk on the marvels of an anthill that would have made a Thoreau or an Eiseley perk up his ears."

It was on the Rocky Mountain Front, where the plains flank the spectacular limestone peaks of the Rockies, that Ralph saw his first grizzly bear on the prairie. This is one of the only places in the lower 48 states where grizzlies still roam the prairies, like they did 200 years ago.

In the book, Ralph tells about his encounters with grizzlies. He also relays, with a keen eye and evocative gift of phrase, stories about unusual tailed frogs, violent wilderness storms, epic battles between mountain lions and elk, and delicate wild orchids that bloom and disappear almost overnight.

What is the Crown?

This region spans the Continental Divide from the Blackfoot Valley in western Montana, north to Banff National Park in Canada. It encompaassses the Flathead watershed, the Rocky Mountain Front, several wilderness areas, two international parks and large blocks of land in British Columbia and southwestern Alberta. Within the Crown are large blocks of unprotected public lands and critically important private lands.

Facts about the Crown

It supports rare native predators such as grizzly bears, wolves, lynx, fishers and wolverines.
It is home to the largest native population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep anywhere in the United States
It's home to one of the nation’s largest elk herds, and the nation’s largest mountain goat population.
It is the only place in the United States where grizzly bears still roam onto the prairie.
The Crown is the largest wild space in the American and Canadian West that still looks and functions much like it did hundreds of years ago.

How to order

Conservancy members may purchase the book directly from the Conservancy's Montana office for $29.95, plus $5.95 for shipping and handling. For more information, contact Debra Sattler, The Nature Conservancy, 32 South Ewing Street, Helena, MT 59601; 406-443-6730 or via e-mail at dsattler@tnc.org.

Or contact Riverbend Publishing, P.O. Box 5833, Helena, MT 59604, 1-866-787-2363; www.riverbendpublishing.com