New Book from CVMN Member Ben Shrader Now Available for Pre‑Order
For more than three decades, long‑time Central Virginia Master Naturalist Ben Shrader has quietly documented the wildlife of Claytor Nature Center through thousands of hours of trail‑camera recordings and personal field observations. This spring, Ben is bringing that lifetime of watching, listening, and noticing into a new book—now available for pre‑order.
The forthcoming volume blends 30+ years of trail‑camera data, 54 documented species, and Ben’s own reflections from a lifetime spent exploring the mountains and valleys of Virginia. The result is a rare look at the rhythms of Blue Ridge wildlife, captured through both scientific curiosity and deep personal connection.
Early reviewers are already praising the book’s extraordinary photography. As Rupert Cutler notes, the “wow factor” comes from the trail‑camera images themselves—some of the finest photos of Virginia wildlife he has seen in his long career. These motion‑activated cameras recorded mammals, birds, and other species moving through forests, fields, and stream corridors at all hours, creating a visual record that is both beautiful and scientifically valuable.
In his preface, Ben reflects on the purpose behind the project: a long‑term effort “to collect data important for the perpetual learning and study of CNC’s wildlife existence and trends.” He also shares how these observations connect to memories of his childhood in Tazewell County nearly 70 years ago—reminding readers that nothing replaces time spent outdoors, and that reading can deepen the appreciation that experience begins.
CVMN is proud to celebrate Ben’s work and the insight it brings to our region’s natural history.
To add your name to the pre‑order list, please contact Ben directly at:
