Donald R. Kirk is a published author and photographer, teacher and naturalist with training in Field Ecology, Ethnobotany, and Nature Photography. He taught Life Science courses at Shasta Community College in Redding, California for 32 years. After retirement he taught an Internet Course on Diversity of Life. A graduate of U. of Oregon (Eugene), he received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology and Anthropology, specifically in Ethnobotany. Previous work included a position as Research Assistant in Oceanography at Oregon State U. (Corvallis); summer jobs for Fish & Wildlife Service (California) and the National Park Service (Nevada and Utah). He also taught biology full-time at Boise Junior College, now Boise State U., Idaho.
Donald is a published author and photographer, teacher and naturalist in the old-time sense of the term. In addition to the two books listed below, he has authored a number of magazine articles on nature and the outdoors. He taught Nature Photography for many years. He has served as field trip leader for students and various organizations.
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE: With their two children Jan and Don have traveled, camped, sketched and photographed the American West. Several summers they were on staff at Holden Village (ELCA) on Lake Chelan, WA. Don was Village Naturalist; Jan taught watercolor classes.
NATURE WRITING: Over the years Don and Jan have developed a distinctive and comprehensive viewpoint of the marvelous natural world. This perspective flows from Don’s biology/naturalist field training and photography. Don’s studies in Plant Communities contributed to this understanding, as well as Jan’s study of form and design through sketching and painting. The beauty and complexity of God’s creation is a constant source of inspiration and enjoyment. They wish to share their love of God’s creation through their writing and illustrating. They edited and published the Christian Naturalist Newsletter from 1984-86.
BOOKS:
Wild Edible Plants of Western North America, by Donald R. Kirk (Naturegraph: 1970), illustrated by
Janice E. Kirk with 300 pen and ink botanical drawings.
Cherish the Earth: the Environment and Scripture, by Janice E. Kirk and Donald R. Kirk
(Herald Press: 1993), illustrated by Janice, cover photo by Don.
ARTICLES:
Wild Edible Plants, by D.R. Kirk (Down River Magazine, 1956-76), 39 articles, featured column,
illustrated by Janice E. Kirk with pen and ink botanical sketches.
The Wonder of It All, by D.R. Kirk (Light & Life Magazine: July/August 2004)
A scientist contemplates evidence of a Grand Designer.
The Naturalist’s Notebook, by D. R. Kirk (East Valley Times, Palo Cedro, CA)
Column of camping/fishing and wild edible plant stories.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY:
Don has had photos published in several magazines and college textbooks.
Janice E. Kirk is a published author and illustrator, teacher and musician. She writes and illustrates books on nature, the arts, inspirational and related topics. Janice is an accomplished artist, preferring pencil, pen & ink, and watercolor. She holds a B.Mus. from U. of Oregon (Eugene) and a M.Mus. in Voice from U. of Colorado (Boulder). She taught music, art and language arts in the public schools (Oregon, California). She served as Art Coordinator and project writer for the Language, Art & Music Project in Shasta Co. Schools (1974-77). She is currently Adjunct Voice Instructor at Simpson U. (Redding, California). Formerly she held the position of Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church (Redding). Retirement has provided the time and opportunity to write about her many interests and her Christian faith. Don and Jan are members of Redding Christian Fellowship.
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE: With their two children Jan and Don have traveled, camped, sketched and photographed the American West. Several summers they were on staff at Holden Village (ELCA) on Lake Chelan, WA. Don was Village Naturalist; Jan taught watercolor classes.
NATURE WRITING: Over the years Don and Jan have developed a distinctive and comprehensive viewpoint of the marvelous natural world. This perspective flows from Don’s biology/naturalist field training and photography. Don’s studies of Plant Communities contributed to this understanding, as well as Jan’s study of form and design through sketching and painting. The beauty and complexity of God’s creation is a constant source of inspiration and enjoyment. They wish to share their love of God’s creation through their writing and illustrating. They edited and published the Christian Naturalist Newsletter from 1984-86.
BOOKS:
Wild Edible Plants of Western North America, by Donald R. Kirk (Naturegraph: 1970), illustrated by
Janice E. Kirk with 300 pen and ink botanical drawings.
Cherish the Earth: the Environment and Scripture, by Janice E. Kirk and Donald R. Kirk
(Herald Press: 1993), illustrated by Janice, cover photo by Don.
Egypt, a Handbook by K. Hansen (Moon Pub: 1990)
Janice contributed drawings for Egypt Handbook by K. Hansen (Moon Pub: 1990)
The Christmas Redwood, A Forest Parable, written and illustrated by Janice E. Kirk
(Oak Tara Pub: 2007), a Nativity story for all ages.
ARTICLES:
Wild Edible Plants, by D.R. Kirk (Down River Magazine, 1956-76), 39 articles, featured column,
illustrated by Janice E. Kirk with pen and ink botanical sketches.
The Way of Shalom, by Janice E. Kirk (Light & Life Magazine: May/June 2004) ,Our ‘Shalom’ camp shows
the harmony of relationships in a God ordered world. Front cover, lead article b/w illustrations by Jan, back cover color photo by Don.
Creation, by Alister McGrath, Book Review by Janice E. Kirk (Prism Magazine, Sept/Oct 2005, ESA)
Donald R. Kirk is a published author and photographer, teacher and naturalist with training in Field Ecology, Ethnobotany, and Nature Photography. He taught Life Science courses at Shasta Community College in Redding, California for 32 years. After retirement he taught an Internet Course on Diversity of Life. A graduate of U. of Oregon (Eugene), he received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology and Anthropology, specifically in Ethnobotany. Previous work included a position as Research Assistant in Oceanography at Oregon State U. (Corvallis); summer jobs for Fish & Wildlife Service (California) and the National Park Service (Nevada and Utah). He also taught biology full-time at Boise Junior College, now Boise State U., Idaho. 
Janice E. Kirk is a published author and illustrator, teacher and musician. She writes and illustrates books on nature, the arts, inspirational and related topics. Janice is an accomplished artist, preferring pencil, pen & ink, and watercolor. She holds a B.Mus. from U. of Oregon (Eugene) and a M.Mus. in Voice from U. of Colorado (Boulder). She taught music, art and language arts in the public schools (Oregon, California). She served as Art Coordinator and project writer for the Language, Art & Music Project in Shasta Co. Schools (1974-77). She is currently Adjunct Voice Instructor at Simpson U. (Redding, California). Formerly she held the position of Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church (Redding). Retirement has provided the time and opportunity to write about her many interests and her Christian faith. Don and Jan are members of Redding Christian Fellowship.