My guest in this episode is Michael Kauffmann. He's a life-long educator, ecologist, and author, as well as founder of Backcountry Press. He's also an expert in conifers - those wonderful trees that include some of the tallest, widest, and oldest living trees on Earth. Think Giant Sequoia, Coast Redwood, and Bristlecone Pine for just a small taste of what conifers have to offer.Today we discuss the many things that make conifers such an amazing group of plants. Michael walks us through their evolutionary history, what makes them different from other trees, and gives us a special look at the amazing diversity of conifers in his area - the Klamath region of far northern California. This deep dive reveals many interesting ecological processes that likely can be generalized to other regions and other plants. It's truly fascinating.Michael also discusses how he turned his love of conifers into two amazing projects. With the creation of his first book, Conifer Country, Michael established Backcountry Press. It has since grown to produce several wonderful natural history books, and he gives us a preview of some new ones due out soon. And the second project is his establishment of the 360 mile Bigfoot Trail. It's a playful name for a truly serious trail if you are in to backpacking or botanizing, and it boasts 32 conifer species.You can find Michael at MichaelKauffmann.net, on Instagram, or on iNaturalist.FULL SHOW NOTESLinks To Topics DiscussedPeople, Organizations, ThingsGriff Griffith - past podcast guest that introduced Michael and I The Miracle Mile - all of the species Michael documented in the famed 1 square mile of the Klamath.Books MentionedCalifornia Desert Plants - coming in May 2022 from Backcountry PressConifer Country, by Michael KauffmannConifers of California by Ronald LannerConifers of the Pacific Slope, by Michael KauffmannThe Klamath Knot by David Rains WallaceThe Klamath Mountains: A Natural History Tour - coming October 2022 from Backcountry PressField Guide to Manzanitas, by Michael Kauffmann, Tom Parker, and Michael VaseyNorthwest Trees by Stephen ArnoSupport the show