“Sand and Fire” – New Book about the Barrens!

Exciting news! Friends Board Member Dave Peters has written a wonderful book about the Namekagon Barrens titled “Sand and Fire.” Published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, the book covers the natural history of the barrens – from glaciers to the network of plants and animals present today – and the robust human history as well.

Indigenous people have been on the land for thousands of years. And fur traders, stagecoach companies, loggers, land promoters, immigrant farmers, foresters and wildlife habitat managers all have left their mark. For a short time 100 years ago, what today is mostly empty countryside visited by few was a buzzing little community. The book explores how through it all the character of this special place has been determined mainly by two things: the sand carried here by glaciers more than 12,000 years ago and fire – wildfires and those set by humans for many, many years.

The book is chock full of color photos of the barrens from all seasons. You can order it from any bookstore or online at Bookshop.org — (https://bookshop.org/p/books/sand-and-fire-exploring-a-rare-pine-barrens-landscape-dave-peters/19867696?ean=9781976600050) — Amazon or the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Dave will talk about the book at a book launch at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 8 at the Shell Lake Library.