About Kim Ridley

photo: Jean Fogelberg Photography

I’m a science writer, essayist, editor, and children’s book author who has been writing about nature, science, health, and the environment for more than 25 years.

My passion is “inciting wonder” by sharing my love of nature and science with children and adults through my award-winning books, essays, and teaching. I love doing author visits and have taught nonfiction writing workshops in dozens of elementary schools in Maine and the northeast based on my books. In addition, I teach nature writing workshops for families and adults and present special talks and programs at libraries and other public venues.

Whether I’m writing for children or adults, my work comes from my deep love for the natural world!

More back story: My passions also include writing about people who are creating solutions to our most pressing problems. I’m the former editor of Hope Magazine, a national magazine that for nine years reported on people creating positive change. Hope sadly folded in 2004, but articles and essays from the magazine are available in

Signs of Hope: In Praise of Ordinary Heroes, a book I co-edited with Jon Wilson

After Hope ended, I realized I felt as passionately as ever about reporting on people creating a more healthy, just and sustainable world. That’s what I’ve been up to ever since. I’m a contributing editor to Ode Magazine, former editor-at-large for Bioneers, and my articles and essays have appeared in The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, Down East and other print and online venues. When I’m not writing, I’m usually gardening, birding, and exploring the woods and shores around my home on the Maine coast. When the weather forces me back indoors, I love to cook.

WHAT GETS ME UP IN THE MORNING

I find inspiration in the courage, intelligence and creativity of ordinary people and in the elegance and integrity of living systems. I take heart in the resilience of migratory songbirds, the persistence of weeds in my garden and the generosity and mystery of the natural world.

GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY

Board of Directors, Maine Audubon Society, Downeast Chapter, 2013-2017

Board of Directors, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, 2007-2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hancock County 1997-2002

 

THE OFFICIAL STORY

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