Desert Journal

Desert Journal: A Naturalist Reflects on Arid California is both a tribute to the life and work of Raymond B. Cowles and a call to reflect on humanity's relationship with nature. Born in 1896 in South Africa, Cowles developed a lifelong fascination with wildlife during his boyhood, which shaped his pioneering work in reptilian thermoregulation—a field he helped establish. His research extended far beyond academia, influencing generations of students and laying the foundation for ecological awareness in California and beyond.

Cowles was a visionary, deeply concerned about the impact of human population growth on biodiversity. Long before these ideas gained mainstream attention, he identified the intrinsic link between overpopulation and environmental degradation. Though his book on the subject was never published, the themes resonate throughout his writings, particularly in Chapter 23 of this volume. Cowles’ holistic perspective embraced the biosphere as an interconnected entity, and his ethical framework extended to all life forms. He was not only a scientist but also a humanist, reveling in the sensory experiences of nature and mourning their loss in an increasingly mechanized world. His poetic reflections, like a letter written shortly before his death, reveal his enduring love for the natural world and his plea for others to preserve its beauty. His life was one of dedication and insight, as exemplified in his final public discussions about overpopulation and resource scarcity. Even in his later years, he demonstrated vitality, intellectual sharpness, and a profound ability to connect with people. His legacy, captured in this book and in the memories of those he inspired, underscores the urgency of harmonizing human aspirations with the needs of the planet.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1977.