California Trees Wins National Outdoor Book Award

A celebration of craft, collaboration, and California’s native forests

Backcountry Press is honored to announce that California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, co-authored by botanist Matt Ritter and ecologist Michael Kauffmann, has been awarded the 2025 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) in the Nature Guides category. This prestigious recognition celebrates excellence in outdoor writing and publishing—and affirms the enduring importance of California’s native tree flora.

Selected by NOBA for its clarity, scientific rigor, and exceptional design, California Trees offers a vibrant, accessible guide to all 95 native tree species found across the state. Through full-color photographs, detailed range maps, and clear botanical descriptions, the book illuminates the intricate stories of the trees that shape California’s landscapes—from coast redwoods brushed by Pacific fog to the whitebark pines standing resilient on alpine ridges.

“This award reflects the heart of what we care about most,” said co-author Michael Kauffmann. “Connecting people to the forests that sustain us. This has always been central to the work we do.”

Matt Ritter adds, “California’s native trees are endlessly fascinating, and our hope is that this guide inspires curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.”

Written in partnership by two long-time educators and field scientists, California Trees blends expertise with approachability—inviting seasoned botanists, hikers, students, and casual nature lovers alike to explore the living diversity of the Golden State. Their collaboration brings together decades of research, field experience, and teaching, resulting in a guidebook grounded in scientific integrity and shaped by a shared love for California’s forests.

National Outdoor Book Award

The National Outdoor Book Award celebrates books that enrich our connection with the outdoors. For Backcountry Press, a small Northern California publisher dedicated to natural history education, this recognition is especially meaningful. It highlights not only the craft behind the book—the writing, photography, layout, and maps—but also the mission that drives all of Backcountry Press’ work: helping people deepen their relationship with place.

“We’re grateful for this honor,” said Kauffmann. “But even more, we’re grateful for every reader who has taken this book into the field, who has paused beneath a tree and wondered at its story. That curiosity is the beginning of stewardship.”