About Mike
A fourth generation Coloradan, Mike grew up hiking, climbing mountains and skiing. Since he was ten, birds have had a grip on his soul.
Mike has enjoyed three partly overlapping careers: history professor, executive in the non-profit sector, and freelance writer. He has taught at Stanford, the universities of Illinois and Colorado. He was the first executive director of The Denver Foundation. As a writer he has published six books and over eighty articles: on history, biography, mountaineering, business, natural history, and birds.
Mike has no scheduled classes just now. When classes resume, he will update this website with details. Contact him for more information at mike4ffoster@gmail.com Meanwhile read about his recent books below.
Mike’s recent book, A Roving Naturalist (2023), combines a trail guide with explanations of the science behind what you will find in the field. The 60 sites include nearby state parks, most of Jefferson County’s Open Spaces, several city and mountain parks, and a dozen other places, including five in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Although all sites are in or near Greater Denver, the science mentioned in all chapters applies to many other habitats and ecosystems throughout America, and in other parts of the world. Enlivened through encounters with birds and animals, the book discusses various aspects of life, how it operates, what nourishes and threatens it. Download the book by clicking here and tell your friends about it. For Mac users, open Preview first, then download A Roving Naturalist on your computer. For any downloading problems, please contact my web designer: Pat Lombardi – LombardiDesign@aol.com. For corrections or comments contact Mike at: mike4ffoster@gmail.com
Once downloaded, you can refer to the chapters on the Contents pages.
In his book, The Ties That Bind: Birds, Nature and Us (2010), Mike tells how he became fascinated with birds and committed to helping them in their struggle to survive. He assesses our environmental dilemmas, and suggests how you can make a difference in solving them. His essays combine openhearted encounters with nature and pointed insights into contemporary culture. Find the book at Amazon, or on the website noted below, where you can read excerpts and learn more about Mike: http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000380333
Mike’s novel, published in 2016, is entitled This Above All. It is a story of being true to yourself. It is one thing to gain sufficient insight to know yourself; it is quite another to summon the courage to create a new self. The story involves achievement and suffering, passion and despondency, adventure and danger, learning and secrets. Find this also at Amazon.