The Traprock Landscapes of New England Environment, History, and Culture

About this book

Stunning photography and fact-filled text reveal new perspectives on southern New England's most unique natural region. A picturesque journey through the traprock highlands from New Haven, Connecticut to Amherst, Massachusetts, The Traprock Landscapes of New England captures the majesty of wild windswept cliffs, panoramic summit vistas, and intimate details of the natural world through the eyes of an artist and the mind of a scientist. By tracing the influence of natural history on cultural development in the Connecticut Valley, the authors present a compelling argument that the rocky highlands are landscapes of national significance, where the particular combination of geology, geography, water resources, climate, and human settlement fostered vital developments in Early American science, education, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and the creative arts. Through vibrant colour photographs of high alpine crags and lush forests, thundering waterfalls and splashing cascades, and close-up views of the rocks, flowers, and birds, The Traprock Landscapes of New England presents the incomparable beauty of the region as never before. Overflowing with information, long-time fans, first-time visitors, nature lovers, rock climbers, history buffs, land use managers, and many others will find plenty to satisfy in the detailed text and captions, crisp photos, historical images, informative maps, and more. Showcasing popular locales, and revealing "secret spots", this must-have resource will encourage old friends and newcomers alike to visit the rugged crags once called "the boldest and most beautiful" landscapes in New England.

Contents

- Preface
- Note on Terminology and Usage
- Welcome to Traprock Country
- Rising in Shapes of Endless Variety: Geography of the Traprock Highlands
- Born of Fire: Traprock Geology
- Sky Islands: Ecology and Water Resources
- A Valley of Extreme Beauty and Great Extent: Traprock Landscapes and Legacy
- These Mural Cliffs: Sculpted by Nature, Painted by Time
- So Fine a Prospect: Landscapes of National Significance
- Appendix: Places to Visit in Traprock Country
- Notes
- References
- Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Peter M. LeTourneau has studied the geology and environmental science of the Connecticut Valley for more than three decades. Dr LeTourneau is an assistant professor of environmental science at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, and has appointments as associate research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, and visiting scholar in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Wesleyan University.

Robert Pagini's award-winning photographs have been featured in publications by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, the National Park Service, the Meriden Land Trust, and Diane Smith's Seasons of Connecticut. He lives in Meriden, Connecticut.