Brooke Bessessen | An Island Press Author

Brooke Bessesen

Brooke Bessesen is a research fellow with Osa Conservation, a veterinary technician, and an author. She has written seven books, including award-winning children’s books with wildlife-conservation themes, and an Arizona wildlife guide. She has also been a television producer for National Geographic and Discovery Health channels. She travels and lectures widely, particularly to educate children about wildlife conservation issues.

ENTANGLED: A Deep Dive into the Vaquita Crisis

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - 7:00pm PST
When researcher Brooke Bessesen set out to write a book about the smallest cetacean she had no idea how high the stakes would be. Traveling into Mexico, she found a cartel drama unfolding. Over the next twenty-two months she followed the scientists studying vaquitas and the organizations and honest fishermen facing grave risk to save these tiny porpoises. Attempting to reconcile the conflicts obstructing conservation amid rising violence and a plummeting vaquita population, Brooke found herself on a raw, personal journey to the doorstep of extinction.

WEBINAR: Saving Vaquita: Considerations in the Race Against Extinction

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 3:00pm EST
As Brooke Bessesen writes in her new book, Vaquita: Science, Politics, and Crime in the Sea of Cortez, “Conservation is messy business.” Economic, cultural, political, and legislative forces all come into play when considering protection strategies for an at-risk species. And, frustratingly, the best approach for victory isn’t always clear. Local communities have to balance potential job losses and preservation of their cultural history with conservation goals.

Brooke Bessesen at the Sedona Public Library

Friday, October 5, 2018 - 1:00pm MST
The Literate Lizard Bookstore is proud to host Arizona author Brooke Bessesen in a discussion and signing of her new book Vaquita, about a Baja California porpoise that has become the world’s most endangered marine mammal. This free event will appeal to all nature and wildlife lovers, as well as to fans of her Arizona Wildlife Guide and her popular children's book Zachary Z. Packrat Backpacks the Grand Canyon.