Everything Shuswap – Shuswap Passion

ABOUT EVERTHING SHUSWAP

The Shuswap has all the attributes to attract someone who enjoys four seasons – nature, clean water, recreation, and culture and reasonably close access to larger cities. There is an amazing diversity of plant and animal life here and thankfully due to the small population, a minimum of pavement, crowds and pollution. Yet until 2017, there has been little written about the region.

Author Jim Cooperman, a dedicated environmentalist and back-to-the-lander, spent 12 years researching and writing this comprehensive, bioregional guidebook that includes 36 maps and over 350 stunning photos. Tour through the watershed and explore the lakes region and each of the 12 sub-drainages. Learn about the region’s ancient geology and its mostly unsuccessful mining ventures. Discover why the Shuswap is so ecologically diverse and why mountain caribou are endangered and how the sockeye salmon may be next.

Learn about the Secwepemc people, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and understand why, after nearly two centuries of exploitation and mistreatment, they are regaining their heritage. Understand the factors behind the pattern of European settlement and discover details about the sternwheeler era.

This is a new edition, with added material and updated information, including an Epilogue about the forest fires that ravaged Anstey-Hunakwa and Momich Provincial Parks.

Everything Shuswap has five chapters: A tour through the watershed, A look at Geology, Ecology, the Secwépemc People, and History of Settlement. It includes an full index and an extensive bibliography.

Given that Dr. David Suzuki wrote after receiving a copy, “Every part of the country should have something like Everything Shuswap,” the book could also be a template for other regions to emulate.

Reviews

“Everything Shuswap stands alone as a compelling portrait of land, waters, wildlife and human history in one of B.C.’s lesser-known regions. Proceeds from sales of the books will go to support outdoor education projects in local schools, yet another reason for readers to seek out and purchase this beautifully produced and useful resource.”

“It’s often said that British Columbia is remarkable for its geographic diversity; with a Foreword by Alan Haig-Brown, Everything Shuswap makes a convincing case for better understanding and appreciating one of this province’s best kept secrets. Set your compass — or GPS — for the Shuswap.”

“It is one thing to travel through a landscape, quite another to be part of it. Anyone can look out the car window and enjoy the view while driving through the beautiful Shuswap region of British Columbia, but to really be in that landscape you have to understand its human and natural history. That’s the journey Jim Cooperman seeks to take you on in this deeply researched and keenly observed book. Everything Shuswap explores the region’s rich eco-types and its interwoven historical record. It’s a textbook for understanding one of the most beautiful and least understood landscapes and it should be mandatory reading for anyone who lives in or visits the Shuswap.”

“Everything Shuswap is just that: uncluttered writing about the 1.55 million hectare greater Shuswap watershed, showcased by 36 maps, 350+ photos, the histories of indigenous Secwepemc nations and settlers, and a watershed tour bringing all, including the geology and ecology of the Shuswap, into clear focus.”

“In fact, “everything” is in the title of the book, and environmentalist and writer Cooperman isn’t kidding as he takes a big-picture approach — the bioregionalism — to investigate a part of the province too often overlooked. The result is 240 pages of current and archival photos, maps, tables, excerpts from historical documents, and past and present columns. It’s colourful and accessible and reveals the Shuswap has much of what Tyee readers adore: clean lakes, green forests, farmers markets and folk music.”

“This is a beautiful book to look at, richly illustrated with maps, photos and historical artwork. It roughly covers ecology, geography, its Secwepemc people and the history of discovery and settlement by Europeans. It’s an easy book to put on a bedside table or end table in the living room to pick up, open a page and learn. It’s part picture-book and encyclopedia.”

“Travel through the beautiful landscape of the Shuswap region, understand its human and natural history, learn about the ecosystems and interwoven history with this well researched, soft cover textbook.”

Order Your Copy Today

To purchase the new editon, please fill out the form to the right and we will get back to you.

Copies are available at $30.00 each, plus $22 for shipping and banking fees.

Download and read a copy of the forward and introduction here.