About Mary

If you've read anything about the wildlife and landscape of Colorado and the American West in the last 30 years, you've probably read something by Mary Taylor Young! 

A prolific, career nature writer, Mary's 22 books range from creative nonfiction, to natural history, to heritage history, kids books and humor. 

She's written the official centennial history of Rocky Mountain National Park; numerous field guides on birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians; the first book about Colorado wildlife for kids to read and enjoy themselves (NOT written for boring old adults); an award-winning nature memoir; even text for 2 adult coloring books on national parks! (who knew?)

Mary’s writing combines the insight of a scientist with a sense of wonder at the natural world, often in an entertaining humorous style. In addition to her many books, she's familiar to Colorado readers for her hundreds of articles in magazines--particularly Colorado Outdoors--newspapers and on the Web; Colorado's Wildlife Company, published for 15 years by Colorado Parks & Wildlife; trail signs and visitor center exhibits throughout the state; and her Words On Birds column, which ran in the Rocky Mountain News for 16 years. 

A graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in zoology, Mary was the 2016 CSU College of Natural Sciences commencement speaker. She is a past board member of the Colorado Authors' League, Colorado Book Festival, Audubon Society of Greater Denver and Douglas Land Conservancy.

Mary has worked with thousands of school kids throughout Colorado as a teaching artist-in-residence, combining nature study with creative writing. She is honored to have been an Artist In Residence at Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012.