Endangered Edens Exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico Marty Essen Copyright © 2016 by Marty Essen All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for inclusion of brief quotations in a review. Additionally, e-book versions of this publication are licensed for the purchasing reader only and may not be resold or given away to other people (unless additional copies are purchased for each recipient). Thank you for respecting the hard work the author put into creating this book. Published by: Encante Press, LLC www.EncantePress.com SAN: 850-4326 All interior and cover photographs by Marty Essen, except where noted. Interior layout and cover design by Tugboat Design Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Provided by Quality Books, Inc.) Essen, Marty. Endangered Edens : exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico / Marty Essen. pages cm LCCN 2015908259 ISBN 978-0-9778599-9-3 (paperback) ISBN 978-0-9778599-1-7 (e-book) 1. Endangered ecosystems. 2. Travel writing. I. Title. QH75.E787 2016 333.95’16         QBI15-600119 Some of the activities described in this book are dangerous and not intended for duplication. The author and the publisher accept no liability for any injury, loss, or inconvenience sustained by any reader or traveler as a result of the information or advice contained in this book. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 “A magical, fun journey through some of the world’s hidden and not so hidden Edens, as seen through the eyes of a true wildlife aficionado and author whose writing makes the pages come alive and vibrate with the sound and pulse of nature. A book that once started is impossible to put down.” —Dr. M. Sanjayan, Senior Scientist at Conservation International and Television Host “I highly recommend that everyone join author Marty Essen and his wife, Deb, as they explore our planets’ Endangered Edens. After reading about these last great wild places, you will surely be tempted to visit them and more importantly protect them for future generations to enjoy.” —Cindy Shogan, Executive Director, Alaska Wilderness League “Marty Essen’s explorations of exotic and remote places gave me the feeling of traveling with him, sensing his measure of the wondrous natural world. His strident call for the preservation of Alaska’s wilderness is timely, deserving the response of the American people.” —Stewart Brandborg, Retired Executive Director of The Wilderness Society (A prominent voice behind the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960. Shepherded the Wilderness Act through Congress in 1964.) Riverside Wren, Costa Rica See the photos in color: Even though millions of people have fallen in love with e-books, e-readers are often small and/or display only in black and white. Because of that, many publishers shy away from producing photo-intensive books in this format. Encante Press, LLC is happy to offer Endangered Edens in an electronic format, but if your e-reader is small and/or black and white, we recommend that you read the book’s text on your e-reader and view the book’s photos on a computer screen. Since most online e-book retailers offer free computer-viewing software, dual-device viewing is easy. Endangered Edens is also available as a deluxe paperback, with stunning full- color photographs. Contents Introduction Chapter One: Puerto Rico Herpin’ or: I Thought This Was a Girl Trip! Chapter Two: Arctic Eyewitness