The Home Place

J. Drew Lanham, an ornithologist and wildlife biology professor, documents his experiences growing up on a family farm in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He examines the intersection of African American history and biological science within the Southern landscape. The text tracks his education from childhood curiosity about birds and weather to his professional career in conservation. Lanham details the specific flora and fauna of the Piedmont region while addressing the historical context of land ownership, Jim Crow laws, and the complex relationship between Black identity and rural environments. He focuses on the practicalities of field research and the inherited knowledge passed down through generations of his family.

Nature enthusiasts and science students read this memoir to understand how cultural heritage influences ecological observation. Readers find a perspective that combines technical biological fieldwork with social reality. The book provides a look at the barriers faced by minority scientists in outdoor disciplines and offers a framework for connecting regional history to environmental stewardship. Those interested in the American South or ornithology gain a clearer view of how personal lineage and professional land management overlap.