"This book brings to life one of the most creative (and necessary) human endeavors and makes understandable the incredible complexity of California agriculture, one of the world's most daring experiments in feeding itself. A valuable resource that should be read by everyone—not just those of us who farm, but all of us who depend on farms."—Michael Ableman, farmer, photographer, and author of From the Good Earth, On Good Land, and Fields of Plenty. "No understanding of this state is possible without an understanding of its agriculture; that's how important this subject is."—Gerald Haslam, author of Workin' Man Blues: Country Music in California "A fascinating, intriguing, and sometimes even humorous exploration of California's agriculture, from broccoli to marijuana and beyond. At long last, a book everyday people can read to understand the state's biggest industry."—Louis Warren, University of California, Davis

This engaging and easy-to-use natural history guidebook provides a thorough overview of native and honey bee biology and offers tools for identifying the most common bees of California and the Western United States. Full-color illustrations introduce readers to more than 30 genera of native bees, noting each one's needs and habits and placing them in their wider context. The author highlights beesÕ ties to our own lives, the food we eat, and the habitat we provide, and suggests ways to support bees in our own backyards. In addition to helping readers understand and distinguish among major groups of bees, this guide reveals how bees are an essential part of healthy ecosystem and how many plants, including important crop plants, depend on the pollination they provide. As growing evidence points to declining bee populations, this book offers critical information about the bond between plants and pollinators, and between humans and nature. Thoroughly researched and full of new insights into the ancient process of pollination, Field Guide to the Common Bees of California; Including Bees of the Western United States is invaluable for the window it opens onto the biodiversity, adaptive range, and complexity of invertebrate communities. Ê

"This guide provides description and photographs of 149 rare or endangered plants found in 10 counties in Northern California. Each description is accompanied by a photo of the mature plant (where available), a photo of the plant in its native habitat, a line art illustration of the plant showing diagnostic features, and a map showing the quadrangles where the plant has been found."--NHBS Encironment Bookstore.

This pocket-sized card set provides rangeland managers with an easy-to-use photographic guide to 52 of the most important range and pasture plants. Spiral bound and printed on sturdy laminated paper this resource will hold up to rough service in the field. Each entry contains common and scientific name, lifecycle, habitat, elevation, forage quality, and general information . Also includes a comparison table of USDA Plant Database to Jepson e-flora scientific names and a summary table of the covered plants showing their life cycle, habitat, elevation, and forage value at a glance.

"David Carle has produced another gem of a book that should be in easy reach of every lover of California. Introductions to Earth, Soil, and Land in California is a portable encyclopedia-fun to read and filled with photos and facts."-Peter Moyle, auhtor of Inland Fishes of California --