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Backcountry Press is one of Humboldt’s great cultural institutions. We at the Outpost love it very much and send it a million congratulations on its latest triumph.

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Press release from Backcountry Press:

Backcountry Press, a small but mighty natural-history publisher based in Humboldt County, is honored to announce that California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, co-authored by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo botany professor Matt Ritter and Kneeland-based ecologist Michael Kauffmann, has been awarded the 2025 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) in the Nature Guides category. This national recognition shines a spotlight not only on the book’s exceptional quality but also on the vibrant culture of ecological scholarship and stewardship that thrives on the North Coast.

Selected by NOBA for its clarity, scientific rigor, and exceptional design, California Trees offers a vivid, accessible guide to all 95 native tree species found across the state. Through full-color photographs, detailed range maps, and clear botanical descriptions, the book illuminates the stories of the trees that define California’s landscapes—from fog-wreathed coast redwoods familiar to Humboldt residents to the wind-sculpted whitebark pines of distant alpine ridges.

“This award reflects the heart of what we care about most,” said co-author Michael Kauffmann from his home above the fog in Kneeland. “Connecting people to the forests that sustain us has always been central to the work we do here in Humboldt.”

Co-author Matt Ritter adds, “California’s native trees are endlessly fascinating, and our hope is that this guide inspires curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.”

Created by two long-time educators and field scientists, California Trees blends expertise with approachability—inviting seasoned botanists, hikers, students, and casual nature lovers alike to explore the living diversity of the Golden State. Their collaboration brings together decades of research, field experience, and teaching, resulting in a guidebook grounded in scientific integrity and shaped by a shared love for California’s forests.

For Backcountry Press—headquartered in Kneeland and known for elevating Northern California voices in natural history—this honor is especially meaningful. The National Outdoor Book Award celebrates books that enrich our connection with the outdoors, and this recognition highlights both the craft behind California Trees and the mission that drives Backcountry Press: helping people deepen their relationship with place.

“We’re grateful for this honor,” said Backcountry Press co-owner Allison Poklemba. “But even more, we’re grateful for every reader who has taken this book into the field, who has paused beneath a tree and wondered at its story. That curiosity is the beginning of stewardship.”

California Trees is available now through Backcountry Press, Humboldt County booksellers, and independent bookstores statewide.

To learn more or order a copy, visit: backcountrypress.com

Read the NOBA release at this link

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

Backcountry Press Email: allison@backcountrypress.com Website: www.backcountrypress.com

About Backcountry Press

Backcountry Press is dedicated to publishing high-quality books that celebrate the natural world. Based in Humboldt County, California, our titles focus on hiking, ecology, and environmental stewardship, inspiring readers to connect with and protect the landscapes they love.