Kevin Van Tighem and Lorne Fitch Book Launch

We’re thrilled to once again have Kevin Van Tighem and Lorne Fitch join us for a joint book launch of their new books Conservation Confidential and Understory. Kevin and Lorne were the authors at the store’s very first author event in November 2023 when the store first opened and Lorne’s book Travels Up the Creek came out; they came back again in the fall of 2024 for an updated release of Wild Roses Are Worth It (Kevin) and Travels Up the Creek (Lorne).

Conservation Confidential by Lorne Fitch

A powerful call to rethink how we value natural resources—not as commodities to exploit, but as gifts to protect for future generations. Conservation Confidential is a compelling exploration of the clash between environmental stewardship and human ambition. Drawing on decades as a biologist, Lorne Fitch reflects on the complex dynamics between science, industry, and development. With wit, sharp critique, and heartfelt storytelling, he contrasts the priorities of industries like forestry, mining, and agriculture with the values of conservationists, asking: just because something can be done, should it? Through personal insights and vivid anecdotes, Fitch examines the moral and ecological consequences of unchecked industrial growth while championing the urgent need for balance and foresight. His essays challenge readers to reconsider what progress truly means in a world where ecological boundaries are rapidly being surpassed. A call to action and a celebration of nature, Conservation Confidential inspires change by raising awareness, nurturing empathy, and encouraging responsibility toward imperilled species and ecosystems—reminding us to treasure and protect the places we call home.

Understory by Kevin Van Tighem

A deeply personal and evocative journey into the complexities of nature, grief, and the search for meaning in the autumn of life. Drawing on a lifetime spent in the wilds of western Canada’s national parks and years of conservation work, Van Tighem reflects on a career spent protecting the natural world and the emotional toll of witnessing its decline. Freed from bureaucratic constraints after retirement, he turned to writing, activism, and politics, driven by a sense of duty to the landscapes and species he loves. But alongside his commitment to action came profound grief and the pressing question: how do we find hope amid environmental loss? Van Tighem’s reflections are anchored in the “understory” of his life—the hidden, tangled layers beneath the surface of his experiences. Like the shadowed depths of a forest, these memories and insights are both beautiful and unsettling, revealing the challenges and rewards of engaging fully with the world around us. With unflinching honesty, he examines the joys of connection, the pain of loss, and the enduring value of caring deeply, even when the odds feel insurmountable. Written with the lyricism of a naturalist and the candour of a seasoned storyteller, Understory invites readers to confront their own relationships with nature and consider how they, too, can find purpose and hope in uncertain times. For anyone who cherishes the wild, grapples with environmental grief, or seeks inspiration to keep moving forward, this memoir is both a solace and a call to action.