Reviews

September 5, 2018

“Taken as a whole, Edging Forward comprises a kind of intellectual parkour. In its call for a more authentic engagement with nature, it’s a rabbit hole we’d be wise to go down.”

– Quill & Quire (read full review here)

“Her book is a call to break barriers, speeches, and traditional agendas which are harmful to the environment and to take a chance and embrace sustainability in our lives, communities and country.”

– Dan Donavon, Ottawa Life (read full review here)

“A remarkable book about the power of stories, love, human innovation and the critical need for the world to leap forward in a post-truth era. Dale offers tools and solutions for transformational change, to build resilient communities that will allow us all to live in a climate-safe world while preserving what’s left of that which truly interconnects us all: the earth’s wondrous biodiversity.”

– Rebecca Foon, Urban Planner, Co-Founder of Pathway to Paris and internationally acclaimed cellist, winner of the 2014 Juno award for her band Esmerine

“Storytelling is powerful – a first step to understanding the other. Whether drawn from childhood fables or alarming current affairs and a broad professional network of sociologists, ecologists and economists this collection informs and thoughtfully exposes the patterns of relationships that can guide positive societal change. What courage it took for Ann Dale to share an intensely personal journey. It teaches us much about resilience and empathy.”

 – Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

“A wonderful book that is most simply stated but unbelievably complex. It is no small feat to articulate such interrelated themes—story, science, and the personal.”

 – Dr. Mary Bernard, Former Associate Vice-President Research, Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University

“Ann Dale’s new book Edging Forward is both brave and bold. She bravely faces the loss of her beloved son, with great struggle to courageously create a Plan B based on love and hope. Ann also boldly, though lucid and clear storytelling, calls for a leap forward to develop a sustainability ethos, protect and enhance biodiversity, and deal with climate change and global warming.”

– The Honourable Mike Harcourt, Former premier of British Columbia, mayor of Vancouver

“In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Ann Dale builds on her more than 30 years of experience in government and academia to advocate awareness and adoption of sustainable practices. Ann frames her message of engagement in familiar stories from childhood, and brings in voices from the Indigenous and displaced as well as her own research in sustainable communities. This book is both information rich and a joy to read.”

– Dr. Valerie Behan-Pelletier, Co-author Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas, Research Associate, Canadian National Collection

December 10, 2015

Edging Forward

Edging Forward is not exactly a sequel, but an update about the many social innovations and progress in implementing sustainable community development in Canada, since the publication of At the Edge in 2001. Based on my 15-year research program since that release, this book is about the many options we have to move back from the edge, to edge forward in implementing sustainable community development now.

But, what is stopping Canadian communities?
How has a single ‘story’ so come to dominate our development?
What are the drivers for reconciling ecological, social and economic imperatives throughout Canadian society?
How do we change the single story and reclaim the dragons?

This book is about the power of stories that shape our development and influence our ability to act now on climate change. It is an evocative call for immediate action to move from edging forward to leaping onto new, sustainable pathways. Once again I draw upon both the personal and the professional, to talk about my journey in reconciliation, reconnection and the power of relationships as the most important pathway for transforming human development. 

December 5, 2015

About this Site

People learn in multiple ways—auditory, visual, print, video and film. This living library integrates academic research, grey literature with all of the foregoing to appeal to diverse audiences and their learning styles. This site brings together my own research with many other scholars who have contributed to my work, as well as soaring landscapes that were painted to illuminate each chapter. It is designed to complement the print and e-book versions of Edging Forward, which may be ordered from Fernweh Press, as of January 6, 2018. The arts and the beauty of nature have always informed and transformed my life, just as they are integral to new sustainable pathways.

The Book Art Gallery

Each chapter of Edging Forward is illuminated with an original oil-mixed media painting by Canadian artist, Nancyanne Cowell, Federation of Canadian Artists. The original paintings for the Edging Forward Art Collection will be showcased at the Robert Bateman Centre from October 10th – November 10th, 2017. Painting plates are showcased in the art gallery section of this website.

The last painting in the series is entitled, For Unforgotten Times, and is in memory of my beloved son, Daniel James Frazer, for the last chapter entitled Once Upon A Time.

The Book Shelf

This site has been built to complement the print copy to expand upon each chapter. Each one will contain references to websites, podcast and videos that I have used while writing my book. It will, of course, also contain references to academic materials and my own research from the past 15 years of my Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Community Development. I will continue to add resources and the outcome of my research team as I continue to learn and explore a never ending story.