Local Wild Life

Blair’s first book, subtitled “Turtle Lake Refuge’s Recipes for Living Deep,” is a collection of wild, local, and raw food recipes developed over eleven years of community cooking at her nonprofit in Durango, Colorado.

Why Read This

If you already know your way around common wild plants and want a dedicated recipe book, this is a natural next step after “The Wild Wisdom of Weeds.” Where the later book teaches identification and covers medicinal uses in depth, “Local Wild Life” focuses specifically on getting wild foods onto your plate in creative and delicious ways.

The book reflects Blair’s philosophy that eating wild and local is not just about nutrition but about building a relationship with the landscape you inhabit. The recipes emerged from real community gatherings and potlucks at Turtle Lake Refuge, giving them a tested, lived-in quality. The emphasis on raw and living foods means many preparations are quick and require minimal equipment.

What to Expect

A 222-page recipe-focused book with a personal, community-oriented tone. The recipes lean heavily toward raw and living food preparations. It is more of a kitchen companion than a field guide, so it pairs well with the plant identification knowledge from Blair’s later work. Best suited for readers who have already developed basic foraging skills and want inspiration for what to do with their harvest.