The Village Naturalist

Mark M. Peyton has always had a deep love of nature and of natural history. Like many of us who grew up before the internet could fit in our pockets, Peyton spent his younger days exploring the wonders that lie hidden beneath rocks and logs and in the creeks and ponds that dot the landscape. He took his love of nature even further as he grew, earning degrees in biology and assuming the role of the Village Naturalist, among his various professional positions.


This collection of essays is an introduction, lovingly crafted by Peyton, to introduce the reader to only a small portion of the natural landscape of Nebraska. You’ll meet slithering snakes, love-sick owls, pesky moles and even a few lickin’ toads. Rather than serving as a replacement for actual interaction with the natural world, Peyton’s stories will inspire you to go out and explore your own corner of the world. You never know what you might find.