Programs are designed for ages 16+

Come ready to explore, discuss, and be inspired by works from various authors:

Botanical Book Club: Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
Three sessions: July 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), July 29 and August 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books will be given to participants at the first session. Classes will be held in-person and will move to Zoom in the event of inclement weather. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 
Cost: $40  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

We will be reading Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian. Considered by Margaret Renkl "A master class in how to love the world", this national bestseller challenges our expectations of what is normal, beautiful, and possible by examining the abounding queerness found in the natural world.

Botanical Book Club: The Overstory by Richard Powers
Four sessions: August 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), September 9, September 30 and October 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books will be given to participants at the first session. Classes will be held in-person and will move to Zoom in the event of inclement weather. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 

We will be reading The Overstory by Richard Powers. This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel tells the stories of nine strangers spanning across generations and locations, whose lives become interwoven from their shared connection with trees. Through these layered narratives, the book explores themes of environmentalism, activism, and the transformative power of the natural world.
Cost: $40  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Botanical Book Club: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Three sessions: October 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), November 4 and November 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books will be given to participants at the first session. Classes will be held in-person and will move to Zoom in the event of inclement weather. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 

Explore the hidden, wondrous world of fungi in this fascinating discussion of Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. This brilliant, perspective-shifting nonfiction book reveals the surprising ways fungi connect and sustain life—from underground mycelial networks known as the “wood wide web” to their roles in ecosystems, human health, and environmental solutions. Discover the science, stories, and mysteries behind these remarkable organisms through engaging conversation with fellow readers. Prepare to see the natural world in a whole new way as you uncover the surprising lives of fungi.
Cost: $40  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Botanical Book Club: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Three sessions: January 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), January 20 and February 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books will be given to participants at the first session. Classes will be held in-person and will move to Zoom in the event of inclement weather. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 

Journey to the world’s highest peak in Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, a gripping nonfiction account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. Through vivid storytelling, Krakauer captures the breathtaking beauty and unforgiving power of the natural world while exploring the challenges of climbing in one of Earth’s most extreme environments. This compelling discussion will explore the majesty of Everest, the limits of human endurance, and the delicate balance between adventure and nature’s forces. Discover how this remote mountain landscape can inspire awe, test human resilience, and remind us of the immense power of the natural world.
Cost: $40  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Botanical Book Club: The Ten Trusts by Jane Goodall and Marc Bekoff
Three sessions: February 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), February 24 and March 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Books will be given to participants at the first session. Classes will be held in-person and will move to Zoom in the event of inclement weather. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 

Explore our relationship with the natural world in The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for the Animals We Love by Jane Goodall and Marc Bekoff. This thoughtful and inspiring book invites readers to consider our place within the animal kingdom and the ways we can live with greater compassion, respect, and responsibility toward all living things. Through ten guiding principles, Goodall and Bekoff encourage us to become better stewards of nature, protect wildlife, and recognize the connections we share with the world around us. Join fellow nature enthusiasts for a meaningful discussion on conservation, kindness, and the actions we can take to make a difference.
Cost: $40  |  Garden members receive 20% off.