Help Someone Experience the Splendor of Wildflowers— Without Using Their Eyes

Imagine a world where the vibrant colors and delicate forms of California's wildflowers are not just seen, but felt and experienced by all.

We are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking project: "Voices for the Splendor of California Wildflowers: A Descriptive Journey for the Visually Impaired," is an image-described version of our award-winning wildflower book, Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change. This audiobook’s poetically described photographs will make Nature's beauty come magically alive in every listener’s imagination, especially the visually impaired. This unique initiative is not just about wildflowers and climate change; it’s about inclusivity, accessibility, and the joy of experiencing the wonders of our natural world.

Your support makes it possible for sighted and visually impaired friends and family members to share the joy of wildflowers—side by side.

Peter Coyote, actor, author and world-renowned narrator of books and films, including Ken Burn’s PBS documentaries.

What We’re Doing

We’re producing an image-described audiobook version of our 12-time award-winning coffee table book. This unique edition combines professional narration, immersive natural soundscapes, and vivid descriptions of every image—transforming visual art into words, story, and sound.

Narration by Peter Coyote and Annie Obermeyer
Photographs and descriptions crafted by Nita Winter and Rob Badger
Audio-descriptions narrated by Becky Parker
Soundscapes by Bernie Krause

Why It Matters

Wildflowers are a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, yet many people are unable to fully appreciate their splendor due to visual impairments. Our mission is to use art and storytelling to connect people to nature, inspire action, and build climate awareness.

By creating an audio-described wildflower book, we will provide a rich, sensory experience that allows everyone to connect with these stunning plants and landscapes. This audiobook will be filled with vivid descriptions, engaging stories by a diverse group of 18 authors, and the soothing sounds of nature, making the beauty of wildflowers accessible to all.

Beyond accessibility, this project deepens public awareness of climate change, biodiversity, and the fragile ecosystems wildflowers represent. The California Academy of Sciences is currently exploring the creation of a multi-sensory exhibit based on this initiative.

Join us to bring this project to life. We are launching a fundraising campaign that will support the production of this one-of-a-kind book.

Below is an audio image description sampler we created of our beloved sacred datura photograph.

How Your Gift Helps

Audio production & mastering
Narration, editing, mixing, and mastering to professional standards.

Descriptive scriptwriting
Crafting image descriptions with sensitivity, accuracy, and wonder by photographers Nita Winter and Rob Badger, sharing their passion and stories experienced over our 27 year journey as wildflower photographers.

Integrating Natural Soundscapes
Bringing California’s landscapes to life with world renowned, soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause’s nature recordings.

Accessibility testing & outreach
User testing with blind/low vision listeners; free distribution to libraries & nonprofits with reformatting of the audiobook for easy navigation by the Braille and Talking Books Library, Sacramento, California.

Spreading the Word
Engaging a first class PR firm, specializing in nature related books, expands our reach to a wider audience.

Imagine the lasting joy visually impaired individuals will experience as carefully crafted words and immersive sounds ignite their imagination, allowing the pages of this beautiful book to come vividly alive in their mind’s eye. Beyond sharing knowledge, this project creates a shared experience that fosters connection and understanding between people of all abilities and the natural world.

Ways to Support

$25 – Pollinator Friend

Planting the First Spark of Access
Launches the journey toward accessibility, turning any contribution into lasting impact for people of all abilities.

$50 – Seed Dreamer

Sowing the Promise of Tomorrow
Funds recording time, helping bring voices to life and planting the first seeds of accessibility.

$100 – Sprout Caretaker

Laying the Groundwork for Growth
Supports vital pre-production essentials, ensuring a strong foundation for the audiobook to flourish.

$250 – Keeper of Meadows

Protecting Fragile Beauty
Creates in-depth image descriptions, transforming photographs into words that bloom in the listener’s imagination.

$500 – Wildflower Champion

Celebrating Resilience and Wonder
Funds professional audio editing, weaving narration and soundscapes together into an immersive experience.

$1,000 – Soundscape Spirit

Bringing Nature’s Voice to Life
Licenses authentic field recordings by renowned sound ecologist Bernie Krause, enriching the audiobook with the living voices of wildflowers’ homes—birds, bees, wind, and water—so listeners can journey deeper into the world these flowers inhabit.

$2,500 – Visionary Steward

Sustaining the Journey
Covers essential production costs, ensuring the project runs smoothly and reaches completion.

$5,000 – Field of Dreams Gardener

Cultivating Accessibility at Scale
Provides critical resources to expand distribution and connect underserved communities with the beauty of wildflowers.

$10,000 – Superbloom Super Hero

Inspiring Awe, Expanding Accessibility, and Creating Lasting Impact
Empowers us with the tools and outreach needed to share this project widely, creating a legacy of inclusion and wonder.

Thank you, we know we can't do it without your help.

Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to making this dream a reality. Join us in this inspiring journey! Let’s work together to create a world where Nature’s beauty is accessible to everyone. Your support can make a difference, and together, we can cultivate a deeper love and respect for our planet, one audio description at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Donations are processed by Givebutter/MarinLink, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

When will the audiobook be available?
Production is underway now. Peter Coyote and Annie Obermeyer have already completed the narration of the text in the book. The next big step is the writing and recording of the audio-descriptions. Your support accelerates completion and outreach.

How will you reach underserved audiences?
We will have the book reformatted to make it accessible and available through the Braille and Talking Books Libraries, Sacramento, California. This audiobook will also be distributed through public libraries, and schools, and nonprofits serving the blind/low-vision community.

Is this audiobook only for the visually impaired?
This audiobook will be available to everybody, including those who are dyslexic and/or who can't read English. It can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to stay connected to Nature and be inspired to take action.

Why is the project so unique?
To our knowledge, no one has translated a visual coffee table book into an audiobook, making the text and the images accessible to the visually impaired. We believe it is due to the extensive amount of work and expenses involved in creating such an audiobook.

What inspired this project?
After describing a few images to our legally blind friend Rochelle, she said: "Your descriptions help me see the images in my mind's eye, and keep my connection to the beauty of the natural world."

That was the moment we realized - we had to make our work accessible to everyone, both visually impaired and sighted listeners.

Where can I buy a physical copy of Beauty and the Beast....?
Click here for both the regular edition copies and the beautifully presented, deluxe limited edition. By purchasing our books you are also supporting our artistic and conservation work.

Can my company sponsor?
Yes. Sponsorship packages are available—please contact us to learn more.

Learn more about Beauty and the Beast at wildflowerbooks.com

Beauty and the Beast is a fiscally sponsored project of MarinLink, a California nonprofit corporation exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service #20-0879422.