Wild City: A Guide to Nature in Urban Ontario, from Termites to Coyotes

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Think “city” and you probably think people and cars. Chances are you
don’t think birds, fish, and other wild things. Although now that
we’ve mentioned wild creatures, images of raccoons immediately come to
mind. Raccoons are only the most visible of the wildlife that live—and
thrive—in urban environments.

Wild City is the answer to a million questions about nature as it is to
be found in Ontario cities. From the name of the weeds growing in a
vacant lot to the producer of the cheeping noises you hear in the
ravine, this compact encyclopedia has the facts and figures to satisfy
the most curious city dweller.

The book has sections on the mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, plants,
trees, and fish visible in the city. Each of approximately 120 species
merits an essay and a sidebar of statistics and facts. In addition,
there are 12 essays on habitat and sections on the sky over the city.
Although there’s lot’s more that could have been included, the
variety and volume of information packed into this paperback is
astounding.

The work is not intended to replace field guides (to the mammals,
birds, wild flowers, and trees, for example) but rather to give some
information, quickly and conveniently, on aspects of nature that a city
resident is likely to encounter. For parents, day-camp counsellors,
teachers, and others who face a constant stream of questions from
children, it’s a one-volume lifesaver.