A NEW book by naturalist, plant and wildlife expert Eric McCrum (89) of Sawyers Valley, will be launched in Helena Valley at the end of the month.
A labour of love between Mr McCrum and his daughter Janine McCrum, The Nature of the Jarrah Forest combines his lifetime of experience of the plants and animals of the jarrah forest with his daughter’s photographs and extensive knowledge.
Mr McCrum, also known as ABC Radio’s ‘Birdman’ due to his ability to imitate almost any Australian bird, said the book explored the complexity of the relationships between the forest ecosystem and its inhabitants, both plant and animal.
Throughout its chapters, it describes plants and lichens, mosses and fungi, as well as flowering plants – including a separate chapter on orchids – and a large variety of canopy trees.
It follows the fortunes of the animals or ‘mini beasts’ – from worms to grasshoppers, spiders to centipedes and beetles to butterflies – as well as the larger animals, from amphibians and reptiles to birds and mammals.
Illustrated throughout with photographs by both Janine and her father, the book is the realisation of Mr McCrum’s dream to spread the message of the inter-relationships between all living things in the jarrah forest to all generations.
“I have also tried to include the Noongar words, wherever possible, and I believe the book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in natural history,” Mr McCrum said.
For more than 70 years, he has devoted himself to understanding the natural world, and spreading his enthusiasm and knowledge to children and adults alike.
In 2001, he received an OAM and in 2017 he received the Michael Chin Humanitarian Award for his services in environmental education, conservation, and natural history.
Mr McCrum also taught at the Perth Zoo Education Centre for 10 years, and worked for 14 years at the Gould League Wildlife Centre at Herdsman Lake, inspiring over more than 7000 visiting children a year.
Since his retirement, Mr McCrum continues to give talks and to foster the care and protection of the natural world through education.
For more information about the book launch event contact Shire of Mundaring libraries on 9290 6755.