We at ‘WesPress’ would like to pay our tribute to David K. Leff (1955–2022), an award-winning essayist, Pushcart Prize nominated poet, and former deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Last month, Leff died unexpectedly from a sudden medical crisis, according to family members. David left a profound impact on countless people with his contributions to his community as a public servant, volunteer firefighter, and a member of the board of trustees of Great Mountain Forest in Norfolk, Connecticut, a non-profit forest conservation organization to name a few.
Wesleyan is proud of the two books we published with David, Maple Sugaring: Keeping it Real in New England and Hidden in Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut. Leff’s work often focused on people’s intimate relationship to their built and natural environment. In Maple Sugaring, Leff takes readers on a journey to explore the traditions of maple sugaring through stories, recipes, and the latest technology in sugaring. In Hidden in Plain Sight, Leff shares his profound love of nature and takes readers on an adventure to see beyond the mundane to discover the natural wonders in everyday landscapes. We encourage you to read more of his outstanding work. For more information, please visit his website by clicking here.
David K. Leff will be sorely missed by many. We hope his work and infectious passion for nature will continue to inspire many more.