A Natural History of Empty Lots

A Natural History of Empty Lots offers a close-up look at the surprising life that flourishes in neglected urban spaces, from vacant lots and back alleys to railroad edges and roadside verges. Through field notes, species observations, and vivid storytelling, the book reveals how these overlooked places serve as refuges for native and introduced plants and animals, create microhabitats, and reflect the changing rhythms of city life. It blends natural history, urban ecology, and personal reflection to show how human activity shapes and is shaped by these edgelands, and it makes a persuasive case for recognizing their ecological and cultural value. Practical insights and thoughtful essays invite readers to rethink notions of wildness and stewardship in the built environment.