Florida’s Rivers: A Celebration of Over 40 of the Sunshine State’s Dynamic Waterways by Doug Alderson
The rivers of Florida are steeped in natural and cultural history. They are avenues through time, allowing us to wrap ourselves in a rich tapestry, and they are showcases for wildlife and natural beauty. On some rivers, idyllic scenes are revealed bend after bend for miles and sometimes days, appearing to have changed little since early native people plied the waters in dugout canoes.
Imagine gliding along a clear watercourse beneath a leafy canopy of maple, cypress, and gum. The current swirls eelgrass in undulating patterns as schools of silvery mullet shoot past. Ahead, a manatee’s snout breaks the surface in a loud whoosh, its gray body lumbering slowly along and showing little fear as you pass by. A red-shouldered hawk cries and soars over treetops while a black anhinga stretches long wings to dry while perched on a cypress knee.
“Florida’s Rivers is a result of many years of river journeys throughout the state with some great people and groups, and trying to steady a camera on a kayak,” says Alderson. “And so it is very satisfying to put my descriptions, observations and photographs together into this volume. The book pays homage to the incredible beauty and diversity of Florida's rivers and the need to protect them. I hope readers will come away with a strong appreciation of our rivers and will want to experience them in person.”
For the program, Alderson will share photos from the book along with historical and environmental information and ways we can help our rivers.
About the Author:
Doug Alderson is the author of several books, including America’s Alligator, Wild Florida Waters, Waters Less Traveled, New Dawn for the Kissimmee River, Encounters with Florida’s Endangered Wildlife and A New Guide to Old Florida Attractions, which the Florida Writers Association placed in the top five of published books for 2017. He has won five first place Royal Palm Literary awards for nonfiction books, two gold medals from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, and several other state and national writing and photography awards. Additionally, his articles and photographs have been featured in numerous magazines.
Doug received the inaugural Environmental Service Award by Paddle Florida in 2015 “for conspicuous commitment, unflagging dedication and love of Florida’s natural environment.” For several years, he coordinated Florida’s designated paddling trail system and helped to establish the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. He currently works as an outdoor recreation specialist for the Office of Greenways and Trails.
