If you are an outdoor enthusiast and book lover, this reading and hiking combo is for you!
During each session, a book about an aspect of the natural world will be discussed followed by a BYO brown bag lunch. Participants can then head out into the woods for a group hike tailored to the theme of the book. Book discussions start at 11am and the hike generally leaves at 12:30pm.
Our book club is a collaborative program with the Naples Library, and book copies are available at their location, and through O.W.W.L., STLS, and Monroe County Libraries.
This program is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is requested.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
MARCH BOOK CLUB
Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery, by Caren Cooper
Wednesday, March 1
All around the world, in fields ranging from astronomy to zoology, millions of everyday people are choosing to participate in the scientific process. Working in cooperation with scientists in pursuit of information, innovation, and discovery, these volunteers are following protocols, collecting and reviewing data, and sharing their observations. Their story, along with the story of the social good that can result from citizen science, has largely been untold, until now.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
APRIL BOOK CLUB
Still Waters: The Secret Life of Lakes, by Curt Stager
Wednesday, April 5
In Still Waters, Curt Stager introduces us to the secret worlds hidden beneath the surfaces of our most remarkable lakes, leading us on a journey from the pristine waters of the Adirondack Mountains to the wilds of Siberia, from Thoreau’s cherished pond to the Sea of Galilee.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
MAY BOOK CLUB
Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest, by Suzanne Simard
Wednesday, May 3
In her first book, Simard brings us into the intimate world of the trees. Weaving together personal narrative and scientific insights, the author brilliantly illuminates fascinating and vital truths: that trees are not simply the source of timber or pulp, but are social, cooperative creatures with communal lives not that different from our own.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
JUNE BOOK CLUB
Our Native Bees: North America’s Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them, by Paige Embry
Wednesday, June 7
Honey bees get all the press, but the fascinating story of North America’s native bees—endangered species essential to our ecosystems and food supplies—is just as crucial. Through interviews with farmers, gardeners, scientists, and bee experts, Our Native Bees explores the importance of native bees and focuses on why they play a key role in gardening and agriculture.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
AUGUST BOOK CLUB
Monarchs and Milkweed: A Migrating Butterfly, a Poisonous Plant, and Their Remarkable Story of Coevolution, by Anurag Agrawal
Wednesday, August 2
In Monarchs and Milkweed, Anurag Agrawal presents a vivid investigation into how the monarch butterfly has evolved closely alongside the milkweed―a toxic plant named for the sticky white substance emitted when its leaves are damaged―and how this inextricable and intimate relationship has been like an arms race over the millennia, a battle of exploitation and defense between two fascinating species.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
SEPTEMBER BOOK CLUB
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of One of Our Most Essential Trees, by Doug Tallamy
Wednesday, September 6
The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
OCTOBER BOOK CLUB
Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration, by Giles Whittell
Wednesday, October 4
Go on an extraordinary journey across centuries and continents to experience the wonders of snow; from the prehistoric humans that trekked and even skied across it tens of thousands of years ago to the multi-billion-dollar industry behind our moving, making, and playing with snow. Blending accessible writing with fascinating science, Giles Whittell explores how snow dictates where we live, provides us with drinking water, and has influenced countless works of art and more.
The discussion will begin at 11:00am. We may be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Bring a bagged lunch to eat after the discussion before joining the group for a hike through the trails of the Nature Center.
PREVIOUS BOOKS
Past books include Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, The Bees by Laline Paull, Lab Girl by Hope Jahren, A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold, and more.
For more information, contact Sarah Jacoby Murphy, CNC Events and Communications Manager, at sjacobymurphy@rmsc.org or 585.374.6160
ABOUT THE EVENT
- Cumming Nature Center
- First Wednesday of each month
- 11:00am-1:30pm
