The Botanical Odyssey of Richard S. Felger

This work is a vibrant tribute to Richard Stephen Felger, who was one of the most influential scientists of the American Southwest and northwestern Mexico. Known as a desert botanist, Felger’s work transcended regional boundaries, blending rigorous fieldwork with global ecological vision. This work offers an intimate and multifaceted portrait of a man whose tireless advocacy for biodiversity and biocultural conservation shaped generations of desert science. Edited by Benjamin T. Wilder, Bill Broyles, and Thomas Bowen, this book is both a celebration and a resource. The work is separated into four parts. With humor, insight, and deep empathy, Felger’s own voice leads the journey in part 1, recounting his most memorable field experiences with masterful prose and sly wit. Part 2 brings together heartfelt reflections from colleagues who worked alongside Felger in the field, revealing the eccentric brilliance and relentless curiosity that defined his career. Part 3 explores his family history and the unconventional path that shaped his life’s work, while part 4 presents a comprehensive bibliography of his most important publications. The book contains four maps that help take you around the world on Felger’s journeys, and fifty images selected from the thousands of slides from his archive that further transport and anchor you in the adventure. Felger’s own voice, paired with reflections from twenty colleagues, creates a rich, multifaceted narrative, offering readers a rare glimpse into the life of a scientific icon whose legacy continues to inspire desert researchers and conservationists across the globe. Contributors James Aronson Thomas Bowen Bill Broyles Alberto Búrquez Susan Davis Carnahan Mark Alan Dimmitt Exequiel Ezcurra Gil Gillenwater Russ Kleinman Angelina Martínez-Yrízar Gregory McNamee Cathy Moser Marlett Gary Paul Nabhan Wallace J. Nichols William R. Norris Humberto Romero Morales Sue Rutman Silke Schneider Jeffrey Seminoff Jane Spinti Benjamin T. Wilder