Oak Ridges Moraine, the recently published, eponymous coffee table book that celebrates a 200-km long geological feature containing rolling hills, farms and woodlands, is a handsome and well-researched volume about an endangered bioregion on the GTA's doorstep.

    Interestingly, eight of the 28 contributing authors to Oak Ridges Moraine are York grads. And many of them have been active as citizens and volunteers in fighting the good fight to preserve this provincially significant resource.

    The moraine, which stretches from Orangeville in the west to Rice Lake, in the east is an important watershed for much of Lake Ontario's north shore fresh water supply, as well as being the headwaters for its creeks and rivers. It is also the site of a new hiking trail, some of which is still under development, but much of which already boasts spectacular views and scenery.

    The book (published by Boston Mills Press) was among eight finalists for the recent 1998 Trillium Award, selected from a short-list of more than 200 entries. Although it didn't win, its loss doesn't detract a bit from a well-produced book that documents and celebrates the moraine's (sometimes rare) flora and fauna.

    Contributors included: David McQueen, chair of STORM (Save the Oak Ridges Moraine) Coalition and a York professor emeritus; Ian Deslauriers, (Arts'72); Christopher Conti (MES'75); Fiona Cowles (MES'95); Paul Harpley (MA'92); James Kamstra (MES'87); Susan Erskine Elgear (MES'90) and Niva Rowan (BA'73). Anna Tilman, co-chair of STORM, and also a contributor to the book, is a Senior Fellow at the Faculty of Environmental Studies.