National Outdoor Book Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 25 (2021) Winner
Suzanne W. Simard
スザンヌ・シマード
Suzanne W. Simard
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1960-01-01 （Monashee Mountains, British Columbia, Canada）
- Nationality
- Canada
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Monashee Mountains, British Columbia (birth region) → Vancouver, British Columbia (University of British Columbia)
Career
- Occupations
- forest scientist, conservationist, professor, researcher
- Active Years
- 1990-
- Affiliations
- University of British Columbia (Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences), British Columbia Ministry of Forests (former research scientist)
- Influenced By
- David A. Perry
- Influenced
- forest ecology researchers, science communicators
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | College of Forestry | Forest Sciences | PhD | 不明 | United States |
Oregon State University
College of Forestry
/ Forest Sciences
Degree:
PhD
Period:
不明
Year of Graduation:
1995
Country:
United States
Doctoral thesis: Interspecific Carbon Transfer in Ectomycorrhizal Tree Species Mixtures (1995)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award | Finding the Mother Tree | — | Northland College (Sigurd Olson awards) | 受賞 |
| 2022 | George Lawson Medal | — | — | Canadian Botanical Association | 受賞 |
Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award
2021
Work:
Finding the Mother Tree
Organization:
Northland College (Sigurd Olson awards)
Result:
受賞
George Lawson Medal
2022
Organization:
Canadian Botanical Association
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Finding the Mother Tree: Uncovering the Wisdom and Intelligence of the Forest
2021 non-fiction, popular science, forest ecologyCombines Simard's field research and personal memoir to describe interactions between trees via mycorrhizal networks (the so-called 'mother tree' concept), questioning forest management and conservation practices; written for a general audience.
forest ecologyinter-tree interactionsmycorrhizal networksconservation and forestry managementscience communication
Adaptations
- [Documentary] Intelligent Trees
- [Documentary] Fantastic Fungi (2019)
Bibliography
- Finding the Mother Tree, 2021
Adaptations
- Appearance in the documentary 'Intelligent Trees'
- Appearance in the documentary 'Fantastic Fungi'
- Appearance in the short documentary 'Do Trees Communicate?'
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- scientific evidence-based explanations presented in a narrative styleaccessible voice for general readers
- Recurring Motifs
- the 'mother tree' as a hub conceptmutual support via mycorrhizal networksinterdependence and resilience of forests
Legacy
Simard is internationally known for field research on mycorrhizal networks and resource exchange among trees. Beyond academic contributions, her popular writing and media appearances have influenced how forests are perceived. Her 'mother tree' concept has sparked broad debate and impacted both the research community and public understanding.
Academic Societies
- Canadian Botanical Association
In Popular Culture
- Served as a primary inspiration for the character Patricia Westerford in Richard Powers' novel 'The Overstory'.
- Referenced in the TV series 'Ted Lasso' as an example of viewing forests as cooperative communities.
- Appeared in several documentaries and TED talks, contributing to public dissemination of forest science.
Quotes
-
Trees are connected through fungal mycorrhizal networks.
Source: TED Talk: How trees talk to each other (2016) (2016)
Trivia
- Considered a key inspiration for a character in Richard Powers' 'The Overstory'.
- Involved since 2011 in TerreWEB, a science communication training program.
- Received PhD from Oregon State University in 1995.