If we knew slugs a little better, could we be friends? Des Kennedy says yes, adding that many living things that we find repulsive are, in fact, useful allies playing a vital role in our environment.
If we knew slugs a little better, could we be friends? Des Kennedy says yes, adding that many living things that we find repulsive are, in fact, useful allies playing a vital role in our environment. Flora and fauna that have historically been given a bum rap are examined in these fascinating anecdotes about life on a small island. the book's ecological importance is reinforced in the foreword by David Suzuki, Canada's pre-eminent science broadcaster, geneticist and environmentalist.
Des Kennedy
was born in Liverpool, England in 1945. He immigrated with his family to Toronto in 1955 and moved to British Columbia in 1968. When Des writes about how everyone can live in harmony with nature, he walks the walk. The gardens he and his partner Sandy have created on their acreage have been featured in various books, magazine articles, calendars and television programs. Starting with a stump ranch, Des and Sandy put in their fruit and vegetable garden on Pickles Road in 1972, adding an ornamental garden in 1980, featuring mostly annuals, biennials and wildlings. "In 1988 we rather recklessly expanded the ornamental area," he says, "focusing on old roses, unusual perennials, shrubs and trees and considerable stonework." Also excelling as an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and environmental activist, Des Kennedy has lived for more than 40 years on Denman Island.
View Biographical note