Street Smart Support

What's Ahead in 2025

No podcast today.

Thank you for being an active reader of my Street Smart Naturalist newsletter. Knowing that you are out there keeps me motivated and makes these newsletters enjoyable for me to write! By the way, this is number 215.

As my newsletter turns four, I thought I’d let you know who your fellow readers are. Of my 3,579 subscribers (up from 3,037 last year), you come from 49 states (I still don’t have any subscribers from West Virginia. I don’t think I said anything to offend the state?); 73% of you live in Washington, followed by California, Oregon, and New York (last year the next three were Massachusetts, Texas, and New York). Subscribers are around the globe, in 57 (up from 49 last year) countries from Brazil to Zambia; after the US comes Canada, India, and England (same as last year). Thanks to all.

What’s in store for 2025. As I have previously written, February will see the publication of the updated version of my Seattle Walks book. Here’s the correct date (Feb 19) and the link for the book launch. In April, Mountaineers Books will publish Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature. Illustrated with stunning watercolors by Elizabeth Person, the book contains 47 of my favorite newsletters focused on natural history. I am very excited about its publication. The book launch will be in mid-April; I will provide information about the date when we nail it down.

I will also continue to produce my podcast based on the newsletter. I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive reception, such as “Now, I have something to listen to when I do the dishes.” I am hoping to record previous newsletters as podcasts and will let you know when I do.

If my newsletter is valuable to you, please consider one (or more) of these options:

1. Share one of my previous newsletters with a friend or family member - It will give you something to discuss and perhaps laugh about when you meet or maybe even entice you out in the field with them for an adventure based on what you read. If you are feeling bold, suggest that they could subscribe, too.

2. Get a paid subscription - The two levels are below. The main benefit is simple: you will continue to receive a weekly infusion of nature and history. Basically, your support makes it possible for me to write these newsletters and share them with readers. Other benefits vary with the level of subscription:

   Monthly ($5) or Annual ($55) - Additional newsletters throughout the year.

   Founding Member ($120) - Additional newsletters, plus one free copy of one of my books. If you renew this annual plan, we can discuss a free copy of one of my other books.

   (If you are already a paid subscriber, Substack will send you information about your renewal on the anniversary of when you subscribed. Isn’t that clever of them? Also, please note, their default is auto-renewal; I can deactivate this if you want me to.)

I would be honored if you choose to join me on this adventure. I sincerely hope that by getting a paid subscription you’ll feel more incentive to make comments, ask questions, and suggest story ideas. And, of course, my newsletter will always offer a free subscription level.

I look forward to continuing the Street Smart Naturalist newsletter and to hearing and learning from you. If you’ll keep reading — and subscribing in whatever way you can — I’ll keep writing.

Sincerely,
David

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In case you interested, here are the five most popular for the year:

1. East Winds and A Very Long Word

2. Of Hair Ice and Woodpecker Holes

3. World’s Youngest Glacier

4. Thankful for Salmon and Beaver

5. Dungeness Spit

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In case you are interested, the slime molds have returned to our yard!