Advancing Socio-Ecological Research, Education & Conservation that Strives to Link Academia and Society

Dr. Christopher B. Anderson

Associate Professor – Institute of Polar Sciences, Environment & Natural Resources, National University of Tierra del Fuego (www.untdf.edu.ar)

Research Scientist – Austral Center for Scientific Research, Argentine National Science & Technology Council (www.cadic-conicet.gov.ar)

Adjunct Professor – Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech University (www.frec.vt.edu)

Adjunct Professor – School of Earth Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University (www.nau.edu/cefns/natsci/seses/)

President – Omora Sub-Antarctic Research Alliance (www.osara.org)

Mailing Address in USA – 510 Calahaln Road, Mocksville NC

Mailing Address in Argentina – Calle Bernardo Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Argentina CP 9410

Email: canderson@alumni.unc.edu; Skype: cbanderson1

Introduction Research Teaching Broader Impacts Publications Students & Colleagues

“You say you want to get to know the running of this land,” Ruby said.

“Yes,” Ada said.

Ruby rose and knelt behind Ada and cupped her hands over Ada’s eyes.

“Listen,” Ruby said. Her hands were warm and rough over Ada’s face. They smelled of hay, tobacco leaves, flour, and something deeper, a clean animal smell. Ada felt their thin bones against her fluttering eyes.

“What do you hear?” Ruby said.

Ada heard the sound of the wind in the trees, the dry rattle of their late leaves. She said as much.

“Trees,” Ruby said contemptuously, as if she had expected just such a foolish answer. “Just general trees is all? You’ve got a long way to go.”

She removed her hands and took her seat again and said nothing more on the topic, leaving Ada to conclude that what she meant was that this is a particular world. Until Ada could listen and at the bare minimum tell the sound of poplar from oak at this time of year when it is the easiest to do, she had not even started to know the place.

From Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier

Photo of rhododendron in bloom in Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia, USA