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

Botanical Book Club: Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Three sessions: March 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), March 26 and April 9 from 6 to 8 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. 
$40, $30 for garden members. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. 

Katherine Rundell's Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures is a book that generates awareness in a hope to evoke change. Hillary Rosner says, "In 22 bite-sized odes to an assortment of creatures, Rundell describes our planet’s living cabinet of curiosities, a gorgeous assortment of wondrous animals deserving of our awe, respect, and solidarity. Through literary references and tidbits of history alongside descriptions of dazzling biology, Rundell conjures a parade of swimming, crawling, flapping, lumbering life. Each tribute is also a plea, and the book as a whole is a solicitation: It’s past time for us to truly see these beings, recognize their majesty, and step up, finally, to protect them."

Botanical Book Club: Meadowland by John Lewis-Stempel
Five sessions: April 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. (handout books and introductory discussion), April 30, May 7, and May 21 from 6 to 8 p.m., May 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. session held at Joslyn Castle. 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. $40, $30 for garden members. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the first session. This book club is inspired by Opera Omaha’s upcoming performance of Fantastic Mr. Fox in June 2025 at Lauritzen Gardens. Along with each of the book club dates, we will join an Opera in Conversation talk at the Joslyn Castle that will discuss all things foxes on May 27.

Meadowland: The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel is a non-fiction book that chronicles the natural history of an English meadow over the course of a year, detailing the interaction of plants, animals, and the changing seasons. Known for its detailed observations and reflections on nature, the narrative combines personal diary entries with natural history, providing a comprehensive view of rural life.