Pemberton’s award-winning science journalist turned author, Nicola Jones, introduced her new children’s book to the community at a recent library event. Saving the Spotted Owl: Zalea’s Story began years ago when Jones wrote an illuminating cover feature for Pique about efforts to recover B.C.'s endangered spotted owl population.
The northern spotted owl is currently on British Columbia’s red list, with fewer than 100 pairs left in the province, and fewer than six individuals remaining in the wild. A fight to save Canada’s most endangered bird went before a federal court earlier this month, where concerns were raised over the effectiveness of the Canadian Species at Risk Act, as reported by the Canadian Press.
Jones focuses on the inspirational true story of Zalea, an endangered owl saved by scientists from the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program in Langley. She tells Zalea’s story in a hopeful and informative way with the help of real-to-life illustrations from Alexandra Finkeldey. When Zalea falls from her tree, she is quickly in danger of becoming a snack for predators. Thankfully, a team of rescuers spot the “puff of grey fluff.” The colourful book introduces Canada’s youngest readers to the concept of responsibility—while reminding adults of the responsibility we all have to the creatures we share our planet with.
Jones said her passion for the endangered birds was sparked during a demonstration for kids. “In 2019, some biologists from the Spotted Owl Breeding Centre came up to Pemberton, and they set up a little demonstration in the community centre to show the kids who these owls were,” she said. “They showed the kids the dangers they were facing. I thought it was so wonderful and so adorable. My kids loved it.”
For Jones, the move from journalist to author was seamless, something she was always meant to do.
“I always wanted to write a book since I was a little kid. I just thought this was such an amazing story. The owls all have such lovely personal stories,” she said.
“It is all young women who are taking charge and doing all the work at the centre, which is such an empowering message. They are rescuing them, so it’s such a story of hope. So many environmental stories are just doom and gloom.”
A perfect mixture of hard-working individuals became the inspiration behind Jones’ book.
“The Spuzzum First Nation is also heavily involved with re-introducing these owls to the wild,” she said. “It was just a perfect storm of wonderful things. It deserved to be a book for kids.”
For Jones, her first book was always going to be a kids book—a way to inspire the biologists of the future.
“Logistically, it’s an easier project for a first book because the number of words is fewer,” she said. “More importantly, it’s the next generation who need to hear these stories of hope to do with environment. They can be inspired by female scientists and First Nations collaborations, all that good stuff.”
Jones thanked Jasmine McCulligh, facility coordinator of the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program, for being with her on every step of the literary process.
“I was so heavily dependent on [her]. I can’t sing her praises enough,” she said. “She was my main source and my main contact. She just talked me through everything. I really feel like it is as much her book as it is mine.”
Saving the Spotted Owl: Zalea’s Story is available for purchase through Armchair Books in Whistler.
