Dedication

This book concept has been a long time in the making, going back to several discussions in recent years between Eric Soehren and me, with the understanding that any such project would have to involve George Folkerts, the great naturalist and friend to whom this book will be co-dedicated. George is sadly no longer with us, but if we can convey some of his love and appreciation for the natural world in this book, it will be well worth our efforts. George was the premiere naturalist in Alabama for most of the second half of the 20th century, as Roland Harper was for the first half. Without Harper's writings and photographs we would have a much dimmer understanding of the original distribution and condition of our natural communities before development, modern forestry, and fire suppression altered or in many cases obliterated them. We stand on the shoulders of George, Roland, and so many others who will be acknowledged in the publication, but it is to these two men that the book will be dedicated.