On a Butterfly's Wing: Lessons from Nature on Embracing Change

"An absolutely delightful book. The concept, the story, and especially the glorious illustrations are simply wonderful." –– DAME JANE GOODALL, U.N. Messenger of Peace

From one of the world’s leading conservation biologists comes a beautifully illustrated, autobiographical story about how the parallel lives of a butterfly and a beloved mother can help us to reflect on the unique privilege of being alive.

In an era of global change, we need narratives that offer hope. On a Butterfly’s Wing: Lessons from Nature on Embracing Change is just that, inviting readers to discover what these remarkable creatures can teach us about our own difficult transformations.

This book not only shows us how to restore our relationship with the butterflies that mitigate and measure our planet’s health, it invests profits in planting flowers—arranged in butterfly shapes—to feed future generations of pollinators.

Astrid Vargas is an award-winning conservation biologist with a track record in setting up, developing, leading, and monitoring environmental restoration programs. She has been a key figure in the recovery of three of the world’s most endangered species: the Iberian lynx in Spain, the black-footed ferret in North America, and the golden-crowned sifaka in Madagascar.

Astrid believes in the power of art and inspiration to transform society. She is the founder of Inspiration 4 Action, an initiative that inspires communities to bring collective creativity into ecosystem restoration.