Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City is written by Leslie Day, an environmental and life science educator at the Elisabeth Morrow School and an adjunct faculty member at Bank Street College of Education, with a foreword written by Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City.

Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City is a complete guide for the urban naturalist. The guide reveals the amazing and naturally rich world of New York City with a variety of photographs, maps, and the amazing illustrations by Klingler.

“The field guide is not only specific to New York City’s Central Park but most of the plants and animals can be found along the north east, from Maine to North Carolina and as far west as Illinois,” said Klingler. “The guide is a great gift for anyone with a love of the outdoors.”

Klingler’s 100 illustrations of more than 132 different species of flora and fauna add an incredible visual element to the guide. With remarkable life-like renditions, he captures the natural beauty of New York City.

“Mark is an artistic genius,” said Day. “He brings the plants, animals, and mushrooms to life in this book and every feather, fin, scale, and vein of each leaf are scientifically accurate.”

Klingler’s work for Carnegie Museum of Natural History focuses on the reconstruction of primitive mammals and other fauna from the fossil record, as well as technical illustrations of specimens for scientific publications and graphics for exhibits. Highlighting the wonders of nature, Klingler draws a great deal from the natural world to create his amazing illustrations.

“It is very important for me to include the realistic surroundings of the specimen in each of my illustrations. Nature is a constant inspiration in my production of two- and three- dimensional interpretations,” said Klingler.

The book will be available for sale at the museum store in Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the book store on Carnegie Mellon University campus, Borders bookstores, Barnes and Noble bookstores, and Amazon.com. -- www.cmoa.org