Lauren Hall Ruddell
Ever since I was a small child, I've traipsed through wildlands in search of adventure. At the age of 15, the California Sierras became a second home that I traversed with my Explorer Post troupe. This resulted in becoming a San Diego Zoo keeper and later an endangered species biologist. Eventually an urge to be engaged in growing things took hold. I became both a master gardener and a master naturalist in order to scratch that nature itch. I pursued organic and regenerative farming with two different commercial farming operations. Later in life I earned a Ph.D. in natural resource management with a specialty in the effects of restorative environments on human wellbeing. Getting people outdoors drives my thinking, speaking, and writing, that is when I'm not outside with my pack goats! My 8th book, Renaturing, is a treatise on how anyone can accomplish a better state of mental health and happiness through time in nature. Another non-fiction work, Zoodulcis, touches on my research regarding the health benefits of interacting with animals. And for even more fun, I bring my farming experience to the fore with my 4-book series, The Peony Creek Mysteries, about farmers turned sleuths. Now for the boring but necessary bit…I hold a Ph.D. from the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, University of Utah. I also hold a Masters in Conservation of Environmental Quality from San Diego State University and an undergraduate degree in Zoology. I speak and advise people on how to improve memory, cognitive ability, attention, and mood through time in nature.
Ever since I was a small child, I've traipsed through wildlands in search of adventure. At the age of 15, the California Sierras became a second home that I traversed with my Explorer Post troupe. This resulted in becoming a San Diego Zoo keeper and later an endangered species biologist. Eventually an urge to be engaged in growing things took hold. I became both a master gardener and a master naturalist in order to scratch that nature itch. I...
Books
Renaturing:: A How To Guide for Living a More Natural and Eudaimon Life
The beneficial effects of immersion in nature begin with the brain. This work details the current scientific research on how the absence of nature in our lives shortens them and makes our mood, memory, and attention capacity less than optimal. Urban living leads to neurodegeneration, and this book will thoroughly unpack that process. Learn how...
A Small Matter of Ethics: Book One of the Peony Creek Mysteries
“A Small Matter of Ethics is a great cozy mystery. First, how can you not love Laurelyn right from the start? She’s smart, strong, and keeps fighting even when life hits a few speed bumps. The characters are believable and the story moves at a good pace. A nice book to curl up and read with your favorite cup of tea.” Liliana S., Book Blogger A...