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Frances Backhouse

@franbwrites.bsky.social
176 followers 155 following 71 posts

Author of books for kids & adults about beavers, bears, birds & more (www.backhouse.ca). Independent journalist. Associate Editor of SEJournal. Concerned citizen of Planet Earth.

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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The fact that fossil fuel-driven climate change poses a serious risk to financial stability is even truer today than it was 11 years ago when Mark Carney understood what he seems to have since forgotten.
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SEJ — Society of Environmental Journalists @sejorg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
🌡️ Covering extreme heat this summer? This week’s #SEJournal offers reporting tips on heat risks and why the Presidential Records Act matters for environmental records. Read: SEJ.org/SEJournal #EnvironmentalJournalism #ClimateReporting
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
The latest review from #SEJournalBookShelf is of a book that I'm eager to delve into. Jonathan Slaght's "Owls of the Eastern Ice" was fascinating and I'm sure "Tigers Between Empires" will be too. Congratulations, @jonathanslaght.com!
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Happy International Beaver Day! With gratitude to everyone who has ever turned the pages of "Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver" and "Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers." #canlit #kidlit #beavers @ecwpress.bsky.social @orcabook.bsky.social
A toddler looking at a book about beavers.A toy beaver "reading" a book about beavers.
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The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 06/03/2026
Four ways the rogue president is undercutting the U.S. first amendment, which prohibits the federal government from passing laws restricting free speech or curtailing a free press. Michael Harris writes. #uspoli
thetyee.ca
Pay Close Attention to Trump’s War on the Free Press | The Tyee
Four ways the autocrat aims to corral and kill US news media. Canada, take note.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Are you a journalist who is interested in writing about #rewilding? Or a reader wanting to learn more about this concept? Check out the latest #SEJournalFeature and then head over to the Rewilding magazine website and delve into all the great content there. @sejorg.bsky.social
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aadamglenn.bsky.social @aadamglenn.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
On point! From my FPF colleague on real meaning of charges against Don Lemon and Georgia Fort:
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aadamglenn.bsky.social @aadamglenn.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Even though the U.S. suffers multiple billion-$ #climatechange-related catastrophes, the gov't has ceased sharing the #data, per #SEJournalReportersToolbox. But in this case, civil society has rescued the info: www.sej.org/publications... @sejorg.bsky.social @ejtodaynews.bsky.social
A satellite image shows Hurricane Ian approaching Florida in late September 2022. Climate disaster data maintained by Climate Central put the cost of damage from the tropical cyclone at $122 billion, with 152 dead
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Feb. 4 is World Read Aloud Day! This year’s theme is “celebrate learning” and I’ll be doing just that with virtual visits to classrooms in Canada and the U.S. Join me in honouring the power of reading and the importance of literacy as a foundational human right. #kidlit #WRAD @orcabook.bsky.social
A cartoon panda wearing a crown and holding a book marches beneath a banner that says 2 days to World Read Aloud Day.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Yes, big thanks to @katemessner.com for helping #kidlit authors like me connect with teachers and librarians. I'm looking forward to my WRAD visits on Wednesday to schools in Texas and Alberta.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
My "Bison: Community Builders & Grassland Caretakers" is in great company on this list. Thanks to @therevelator.org for highlighting these new books that all aim to get young people involved with activities that support and protect wildlife and our environment.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
One week until my “Better With Bison” webinar at the North American Bison Discovery Center. Join me Oct. 25, 1PM CT, to learn about what makes bison so special. ✅ FREE to attend | virtual | kids and adults welcome 🔗 Join here: meet.google.com/ywx-uncf-nya... @orcabook.bsky.social #bison #kidlit
The cover of a book about bison superimposed over a photo of bison grazing in a mountain meadow. The book is "Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers" by Frances Backhouse. The photo on the cover of the book is of a bison cow and her calf.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Trump's 2026 budget plan to defund the North American Breeding Bird Survey and USGS Bird Banding Laboratory will be a continent-wide blow to bird conservation efforts. Undoubtedly, that's the point. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int... #citizenscience #birdbanding #ornithology
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | What we’ll lose if bird banding ends
Scientists have tagged birds for more than 100 years. That preservation program might be defunded.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
My favourite part of writing "Owls: Who Gives a Hoot?" was talking to kids involved in owl conservation. Last week, I finally got copies to one of those inspiring young people and his teacher at their school in South Africa. www.citizen.co.za/alex-news/ne... #owls #kidlit @orcabook.bsky.social
citizen.co.za
Marlboro learner featured in international book about owls | Alex News
Marlboro Gardens Secondary School learner Adivhaho Mokakatleng beams with pride after being featured in an international book about owls. His passion for wildlife, nurtured through the Owlproject.org ...
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
It was such a pleasure to be part of this @orcabook.bsky.social group launch of 8 fabulous new books for kids. Thanks to Munro Books for the beautiful venue and all the lovely people who came out to celebrate with us. #kidlit #Canlit
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Judd Legum @juddlegum.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
"A Financial Times analysis of more than 350,000 posts on X related to the election, gathered since the snap poll was announced in March, revealed a network of co-ordinated accounts pushing content to boost Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and tarnish his counterpart, the Liberal’s Mark Carney."
ft.com
Canadians bombarded with rightwing content on Musk’s X ahead of election
FT analysis finds network of social media accounts attacking Liberal leader Mark Carney
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
📚👍 Spring doesn't just bring flowers.🌷 There's also these new #kidlit books by: @parentclub.bsky.social @laurabontje.bsky.social @franbwrites @caseylyall.bsky.social @susanhughes.bsky.social @mahtabnarsimhan.bsky.social @valeriesherrard.bsky.social @kirsten-marion
Ten book covers.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
On this #EarthDay, I'm thinking of these Yellowbells (Fritillaria pudica) that I photographed during an April visit to the CSKT Bison Range in Montana a couple years ago. Despite cold, harsh winters and hot, dry summers, they reach for the light every spring and bring beauty to the world.
Four small plants with yellow flowers growing above old dead grasses in a field.
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Save the CBC 🇨🇦✌️ @savethecbc.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
When fascism rises, journalism and women’s rights are first to fall. Poilievre is attacking both. We won’t let him. #SaveTheCBC #WomensRights #CdnPoli #MediaFreedom #NeverPoilievre
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Public lands were key to pulling bison back from the edge of extinction and remain essential to protecting this keystone species. I'm honoured to have "Bison: Community Builders & Grassland Caretakers" included in this @the-revelator.bsky.social roundup of books about public lands.
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West Coast Environmental Law @wcelaw.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Do we really need to choose between the environment & economy in #Election2025? 🤔 On Apr. 15 @ 2pm PT, join our expert panel to discuss key election issues – incl. what deregulation could mean for workers, the environment & everyday Canadians. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #cdnpoli
Promo graphic with background photo of highway through a forest, with overlaid text "Election 2025 Virtual Townhall", event details and speaker headshots.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 15/04/2025
Join us for an urgent discussion on the @apnews.com ban, White House press pool, and other attacks on the press by the Trump administration, featuring @briankarem.bsky.social, @stephaniesugars.bsky.social, and @caitlinvogus.bsky.social. 🗓️ April 16, 2pm ET/11am PT freedom.press/access-denied
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
It’s publication day for “Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers”! The Book Birthday edition of my Better With Bison newsletter has launch news, a peek inside the pages (highlighting the wonders of bison poop) and more. mailchi.mp/8906ca675612... #bison #kidlit @orcabook.bsky.social
A herd of bison in a mountain meadow with the cover of a kids' book about bison superimposed above.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I've read "Pride Puppy," unlike many of the people who want to ban it. It's a delightful book with a positive message and fun illustrations. Author @robinstevenson.bsky.social and illustrator @whatwouldjuliedraw.bsky.social do not deserve the hatred that is being flung at them. #standwiththebanned
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
I'm fed up with AI companies illegally using my books to train their generative AI. I just sent them a letter demanding they remove my works from their training data. You can use the Authors Guild's letter template to send your own: actionnetwork.org/letters/auth...
actionnetwork.org
Tell AI Companies They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work
I just sent a letter telling AI companies they do not not have the right to use my work. Use the Authors Guild's letter template to send your own.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Attention Canadians. Be careful you're not carrying any "illegal ideas" if you're trying to cross the border. Ideas like, perhaps, human rights or climate change?
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Also highly recommended for beaver fans: Chapter 4 of "Water Always Wins" by @ericagies.bsky.social. As she explains so well, beavers are "the original water engineers" and can help us deal with both drought and flooding. (The book's other 9 chapters are great, too.)
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Happy International Beaver Day! I've been writing about these guys for more than 15 years and they still amaze me. We came so close to wiping them out. Thank goodness enough concerned and determined individuals took action and changed the course of history. #InternationalBeaverDay #CanLit
Book cover: A painting of two beavers cutting down a tree. The book title (Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver by Frances Backhouse) appears in the outline of a top hat, superimposed over the painting.Book cover: The title (Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers) appears above a photo of a beaver sitting upright and holding a twig in its front paws.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
I'm in awe of, and grateful for, this man's dedication to defending democracy. www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
pbs.org
WATCH LIVE: Sen. Cory Booker protests Trump’s agenda in marathon Senate speech
It was a remarkable show of stamina — among the longest in Senate history — as Democrats try to show their frustrated supporters that they are doing everything possible to contest President Donald Tru...
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
We can all celebrate and honour Indigenous languages by learning Indigenous names of a few local animals and plants. In my kids' books, I include examples, like these ones in "Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers." @orcabook.bsky.social #NationalIndigenousLanguagesDay #kidlit
A photo of bison grazing in a grassland with a bison calf in front. Over top of the photos are (1) a list of Indigenous uses for parts of a bison, (2) a list of Indigenous names for bison, and (3) the cover of a book titled Bison.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Support local #journalism and the dedicated #journalists who are working hard under extremely tough conditions to bring it to you.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Poynter offers good insight into the ethics questions in the journalism story of the day. Useful to journalists and non-journalists alike. www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...
poynter.org
You're a journalist added to a classified group chat. Here’s what you need to consider. - Poynter
5 ethical questions journalists should consider if, like The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, they are added to a top-secret conversation about war plans.
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Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) @cajournalists.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Calling all Indigenous journalists, broadcasters and media creators! The Indigenous Media Association of Canada (IMAC) invites you to a virtual meeting to learn more about this newly formed organization, what they plan to do and how they hope to serve Indigenous media. Date: March 30, 5 p.m. ET.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Independent journalism is fundamental to democracy. And those who are attacking journalism and journalists from every side know it well.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The proposed tariff might be of limited benefit to Canadian publishers and their authors (of which I'm one), but would likely devastate Canadian bookstores and have no discernible impact on the US book industry or American consumers. The form will ask you for the tariff number. It's: 4901.99.00
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Happy Global Recycling Day!
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Libraries are democratic public spaces that serve communities and nurture equity and education. No wonder the current Republican administration wants to defund them. It's book-banning writ large.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
If you're a journalist who covers the environment, #SEJournal is here to help you to your job, with backgrounders, tip sheets, features and more.
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SEJ — Society of Environmental Journalists @sejorg.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Follow @ejtodaynews.bsky.social, one of SEJ’s publications, for top environment news. Subscribe here to receive EJToday in your inbox every weekday: www.sej.org/headlines/list
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
My friendly Canada Post carrier showed up at my door today with a rain-spattered box in his hands. "Some reading material," he said with a smile. And there it was, "Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers," my latest from @orcabook.bsky.social. Yee-haw! #kidlit #Canlit #bison
A sealed cardboard box with a mailing label. A sticker on the side says "Orca: Canadian Creators, Stories, Owned."The front cover of book showing a photo of a bison mother and calf, plus the title and author's name: "Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers" by Frances Backhouse.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Need a break from the political uproar? Here's some bird-song news. No actual singing included, but it's a fascinating look at the value of historical research in contemporary conservation work. #science #birds #conservation home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/03...
home.dartmouth.edu
Fifty Years of Songbird Maps Take Flight in New Hands | Dartmouth
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SEJ — Society of Environmental Journalists @sejorg.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
How can environmental reporters best cover the upheavals of a second Trump White House? To find out, #SEJournalFeature commissioned a special analysis to draw on the experience of reporters who were there to chronicle the first Trump administration. www.sej.org/publications...
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Canada is blessed with more than a dozen great independent children’s book publishers. And I'm proud to be part of the @orcabook.bsky.social pod. Here's how to support all Canadian children's book publishers and creators. #Cankidlit #CanadaStrong
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
This is an incredibly tough time to be a journalist. Kudos to all the journalism students who are stepping up to the plate despite the very real risks and challenges. #StudentPressFreedomDay
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
As a Canadian who abhors what Elon Musk is doing, I happily signed this parliamentary petition calling upon the Prime Minister to revoke Musk's Canadian citizenship. It takes less than two minutes to visit the website and add your name. www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
ourcommons.ca
Sign this Petition - Petitions
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
#AskAnAuthor While researching my book "Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver," I helped a trapper skin a beaver and flesh and board the pelt. Maybe weird for a conservation-focused book, but it got him to open up to me in ways a regular interview would never have achieved. #Booksky
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Snowed in? Check out these new #kidlit books by: @parentclub.bsky.social @laurabontje.bsky.social @franbwrites @caseylyall.bsky.social @susanhughes.bsky.social @mahtabnarsimhan.bsky.social @valeriesherrard.bsky.social @kirsten-marion ❄️📚⛄
Front covers of ten books for children.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
I'm sending out this Valentine to all my science- and nature-loving friends. 😍 Check out @rosemarymosco.com's website for more of her brilliant work.
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Frances Backhouse @franbwrites.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
The Great Backyard Bird Count starts tomorrow. You can count for as little as 15 minutes on one day or as long as you like each day (Feb. 14-17). Find helpful tips and resources on the @birdscanada.bsky.social website. #GBBC www.birdscanada.org/bird-science...
birdscanada.org
Great Backyard Bird Count - Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada
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SEJ — Society of Environmental Journalists @sejorg.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
As reporters scramble to cover dizzying changes in climate and energy policy under the new Trump administration, @yessfun.bsky.social reminds us to work to connect the changing planet with changes felt by threatened communities. #SEJournalVoicesofEnvironmentalJustice www.sej.org/publications...
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