Today marks the birthday of Beatrix Potter. Though best known for her children’s books, her legacy extends far beyond the literary world. Beatrix was born into a well-to-do family, who spent its summers in England’s Lake District. It was during these holidays that Beatrix developed her love of the outdoors, which she keenly observed and painted. Through her studies and drawings, Beatrix became a well respected naturalist (particularly in the field of mycology) before becoming a full-time writer in her 30’s. After the great success of her books (which she both wrote and illustrated herself), Beatrix returned to her roots in the Lake District, purchasing Hill Top Farm. Over the next several years, she bought several other properties to preserve the unique hill country landscape. Through her efforts, she not only became a pioneer in the Conservation movement but also a prize-winning sheep breeder. Upon her death, Beatrix left her entire estate to the National Trust. It now comprises much of the Lake District National Park. Beatrix Potter lived a life that is as engaging as any of her stories and I hope you enjoyed learning about her as much as I did!