Following the publication of the children’s book Cypress Knees and Tupelo Trees: Discovering Plants and Animals of the Swamp by collage artist Cathy Melvin, I was able to join Cathy just of I-530 (Exit 9) to stroll in the Lorance Creek Natural Area.

The book was inspired by this area, which Cathy and her son adopted during the pandemic. After working with Cathy for nearly a year to edit and publish the book, it was incredible to behold some of the very plants, insects, and scenes that led her to write and collage this book.