Celebrate the Spring Equinox with a trio of Nature Authors Saturday, March 16, 1 p.m. in the Folsom Public Library Meeting Room. These local authors each have a different nature writing specialty: trail guides, nature observation, and backpacking memoir. The authors will talk about their most recent books followed by Q&A. The authors’ books are available for purchase and signing following the program.
Mary West authors the Day Hiker column for the Auburn Journal, a collection of which has been compiled into the multi-volume book series “Day Hiker—Gold Country Trail Guides.” Joan Griffin penned “Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail” (2023). Janice Kelley authored “Mornings on Fair Oaks Bridge” (2018) and “Through the Eyes of John Muir” (2020).
The event will be held at the Folsom Public Library Meeting Room, 411 Stafford Street, Folsom, CA, 95630. Attendance is free and the program will last approximately 60 minutes with time afterwards to speak to the authors individually, purchase books, and have them signed. The format will be a moderated panel discussion where each author is asked the same questions about their latest books and the local hikes that they recommend for this spring. Following the discussion there will be a brief audience Q&A for the panelists.
“This is a great time of year to make plans for your spring or summer outdoor adventures,” said Librarian Andrew Tweet. “We hope to inspire our community to enjoy all the amazing recreation our region has to offer. Including free access to State Parks like Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma, and Auburn SRA which can be visited for free using the California State Library Parks Passes available from libraries statewide.”
For additional information on the program or the Folsom Public Library visit the Library website.
About the Authors:
Mary West
Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II, III and IV (2nd edition Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of theDay Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.
Joan Griffin
A native Californian, Joan Griffin lives in the Sierra Foothills, a world she loves exploring. Retired after 25 years teaching middle-schoolers, she currently teaches senior citizens for the OLLI program at Sierra College. Joan’s debut book, an adventure memoir, Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail, was published in Fall 2023. Between real life adventures, Joan is writing her second memoir. She may be contacted through her website https://www.joangriffin.us/.
Janice KelleyJanice is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals, children, and families to develop meaningful relationships with the outdoor world. She shares the unique character of a place through its stories by applying her skills as an accomplished writer, interpretive naturalist, storyteller, and photographer. Janice leads nature walks, and nature writing & journaling workshops for adults using her book and first hand experiences as inspiration for her students. She is author of several books featuring nature-based activities for teachers and students, including Through the Eyes of John Muir, Practices in Environmental Stewardship and companion student
