A year ago, I read E.O. Wilson's Biophilia cover to cover for the first time. I previously read excerpts in both undergrad and graduate school, but not the book in its entirety. It's a very quick read. Perhaps its brevity is a testament to its power because the theories in this slim book were a major influence on science, anthropology, and landscape studies. The theory of Biophilia is that humans are genetically predisposed to have an affinity for living things and that we have a deep evolutionary need to be connected to the natural world. With this premise as my starting point, I dived deeper into researching our experience of the natural world based on specific areas of interest in biophilic phenomenology, plant ecology, and nature memoir. It has been a fulfilling year to go deep into researching these topics and the connection to my work as a landscape architect and public artist. Connecting people to the natural world is ultimately what my work is about. I created this readling list to share with others who may also want to explore these topics in depth. Some of the books I read in this self-guided research over the past year are listed here in no particular order:

1. The Biophilia Hypothesis
2. The Nature Principle
3. Demons in Eden: The Paradox of Plant Diversity
4. Chasing Monarchs
5. Reflecting on Nature: Readings in Environmental Ethics and Philosophy
6. Projective Ecologies
7. The Mythology of Plants
8. The Island Within
9. Brilliant Green: The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence
10. Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life
11. Plant Dreaming Deep
12. Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants
13. Perception: Selected Readings in Science and Phenomenology
14. The Hidden Life of Trees: What they feel, How they Communicate
15. Environ(ne)ment: Approaches for Tomorrow