Ecology

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: Doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people. Money – investing, personal finance, and business decisions – is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don't make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches you how to make better sense of one of life's most important topics. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home

Hi everyone, Today, we'll be doing a social walk around the Liverpool Street area. So, basically, our usual walk & chat programme :) After walking around for about an hour an a half (roughly), we'll sit down for a meal. We'll be meeting outside Liverpool Street underground station at this exit here: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liverpool_Street_station_entrance_Bishopsgate.JPG](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liverpool_Street_station_entrance_Bishopsgate.JPG) If you can't find us, please give Mike a ring at 07557367911. We'll start walking at 1:10 PM sharp. **Group maintenance fee: £2.** You can pay Mike in person or online: [paypal.me/fleischermike](http://paypal.me/fleischermike) (no PayPal account necessary)

Hey fellow Malaysians or ish! Let’s head out to watch the final major dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour together, in preparation for the King's Trooping day next week, 13th. There are few North (17 left last saw) standing tickets / space on the sidelines, so we will get a front-row view of the massive military bands, guards, and horses as they march by. Or we can go separately, there are few more tickets on the South side. Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026 Time: 9:30 AM (The parade starts sharply at 10:30 AM, but we need to secure our spot early) Meeting Point: TBC - Exact (or go straight to ticket venue) End Time: Around 12:30 PM Dress code: Formal! ish. Check the details! Perhaps time for an excuse to take out that jacket/dress stored away long ago :) Ticket Price: £5 standing only (link below) We can then go for lunch after the event, if preferrable, to talk about the rehearsal. Or a day just to get together for social and a good weather. https://kbp.army.mod.uk/colonelsreview/

For most of human history, religion wasn't a lifestyle choice, it was part of life. It told you who you were, why you suffered, what death means, and how to live. Then science explained the sky, the earth, and everything around us, and we told ourselves we'd evolved past all that. But the meaninglessness of life was never explained. Millions of people are still medicated, addicted, and quietly lost, in the most comfortable civilisation that has ever existed. Maybe we just stopped feeding something that was never going to stop being hungry. Can a life be meaningful without believing in anything bigger than yourself? Can science tell you how to live? Are the people replacing religion with politics, wellness culture, or ideology any less religious or just less honest about it? Is dismissing religion a sign of progress, or are we just arrogant enough to think we don't need what every civilisation before us had? Here is a video related to this topic: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DffqK6j-y1U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DffqK6j-y1U) *Please do your own research and share resources related to this topic in the comments below.* —————————————————————————————————————————————— **💛 Support The Examined Life** Enjoying the discussions? Please consider donating, it keeps us running. 👉 Donate here: [https://examinedlife.uk/donation/](https://examinedlife.uk/donation/) —————————————————————————————————————————————— **Join our Telegram group chat** Stay connected between sessions: [https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk](https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk) —————————————————————————————————————————————— **About the session** The Examined Life "Let's Discuss…" session is an open, welcoming discussion, no prior reading or expertise required. Format: * **13:15** Free-flowing group discussion on the topic * **14:00 (ish)** We split into smaller groups for deeper conversation on what interests you most * **16:00** Official end of the meetup. Most attendees stay on and keep chatting until around 18:00 —————————————————————————————————————————————— **Please RSVP accurately** Please update your RSVP if plans change, it helps us plan and frees up spots for others. —————————————————————————————————————————————— **Artwork:** Interior of a Gothic Cathedral 1612 by Paul Vredeman de Vries

This is a **theatre** and **livestream** talk from the **Royal Institution of Great Britain.** Join a team of forensic scientists for an immersive, demo-filled event taking us through the process of analysing and solving a crime, plus a look at the new technology changing the way DNA is analysed. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:** **[https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/forensics-how-solve-crime](https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/forensics-how-solve-crime)** **SUMMARY** We are used to media depictions of forensic science, but what does the real process look like? And how are new technologies changing the face of modern forensics? In this unique event, a team of forensic specialists from around the UK will come together to guide you through a fictional case. Discover how the **SCAnDi** project could revolutionise the world of forensics by allowing scientists to trace DNA from a single cell, and therefore “unmix” the messy DNA profiles of multiple people often found at crime scenes. Scientific investigation of a crime involves a multidisciplinary team, and through the use of intricate recreation crime scenes and demonstrations, this event will explore how these individuals can come together to uncover crucial evidence. Ranging from DNA analysis to soil science, you'll have the chance to discover real forensic science used to solve crimes. **This event will cover sensitive material which some may find upsetting, including physical violence, sexual assault, death and suicide. It is suitable for those aged 16+.** This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. **The livestream will go live around 7.25pm, and the talk will begin at 7.30pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's [event terms and conditions](https://www.rigb.org/terms-and-conditions). You also agree to abide by [our code of conduct](https://www.rigb.org/about-us/how-were-run/our-code-conduct-ri-visitors), and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.

# LIFE DRAWING & COLOURED PASTELS WITH FRANK GAMBINO – 6 JUNE 2026 **Colour, markmaking and exciting dynamism- inject electric colour confidence into your life drawing – a great class for all abilities!** Join us for a great material based workshop with the brilliant figurative artist and London Drawing tutor Frank Gambino! Create strong and impactful drawings in colour using chalk pastels and conte. Build your confidence in rendering a likeness in your drawing and really make the most of your materials- working with layering, application and lush colour combinations. Over lock down Frank has developed his work into colour using pastels- and he will be sharing his techniques and insights in this new workshop full of demonstrations, tips, advice and one to one tuition. A great class not to be missed! Materials: All basic materials will be provided as part of the class- so you can test it out and see if the medium is for you before investing in materials which can be expensive. However- if you have your own pastels/ conte or would like to buy a set we have a materials list we can recommend- and we encourage you to bring your materials along! Pastels vary wildly in quality and temperament so this is a great class to get a sense of how materials work and how to get the best out of them. **Saturday 6 June 2026** **10-4pm** **£110** **All basic materials included –** Bringing your own materials is encouraged- materials list info below Suitable for all levels of ability [MORE INFO & BOOKING](https://londondrawing.com/product/life-drawing-coloured-pastels-with-frank-gambino-6-june-2026/) Venue: Artizan St Library, 1 Artizan St London E1 7AF Materials we provide: Chalk pastels/ tonal conte/ coloured sugar paper/ erasers If you are bringing your own materials: Any chalk pastels and pencils/ conte/ putty rubber/ coloured pastel paper/ \* Daler Rowney fixative- \* please note due to ventilation issues in the space and security issues with access to the studio we wont be able to use fixative during the class Materials frank uses and recommends if you are investing in materials: Rembrandt chalk pastels. Stabilo chalk pastel pencils Daler Rowney (kneadable) putty eraser

Join me for a morning walk on Saturday 6th at 11am! We will meet at Hamspead Heath Station and walk barefoot for about 2 hours in the park (mostly grass and forest area) You can come solo or with friends — either way, you'll feel part of the group You can also wear minimalist shoes if you like! Looking forward to see you there! Note: this circular track is graded easy and is suitable for beginners as we will be mostly walking on grass

Our topic this week for our Global Class is: **Defrag your Memory Banks and Integrate the Eternal Now** The process is a global recording of an experiential journey at a recent retreat. Where we are taken through a journey of integration and healing with all that we truly are, being here, now, present to surrender to the Eternal Self. I would like to invite you to join us this coming Sunday morning at 11.30am for our FREE weekly online global class, where a discourse and guided meditation will be facilitated by one of my peers. This class is hosted by the Cosmosis™ Mentoring Centre. To attend please EMAIL: admin@mysteryschool.net.au Simply Share: Hello my name is ____________________. I will be attending the free online Global Class on Sunday @ 11. 30am UK time. I look forward to receiving the login details. I live in ___________ (city, country). If different (and applicable) the name on my Microsoft Teams Account is ______________________________________________. Patti at admin will email the instructions and Teams link for the class the day before the call. Please remember to check your junk mail. The call starts at 11.30am and *no late comers are allowed in to the call as it interrupts the flow of class*. Please, therefore, ensure you have dialed in for **11.25am** and are in a private sacred space to avail yourself of the opportunity to work with these sacred processes and receive the wisdom. Take care Claire

Alert : 2 brand new coastal summer walks coming soon ! 😀 Join us for an invigorating coastal walk starting in beautiful Herne Bay, with time to explore the crafts and atmosphere around the pier, before continuing along the coast to the picturesque old-world seaside town of Whitstable. Expect whitewashed houses, sea views, characterful streets and of course the chance to sample some fabulous local seafood 🦞 ⭐️ Bring your camera! 📷 PHOTO CONTEST – Best photo of the day wins a local seaside-themed print If the weather is kind to us, we may stop for tea at the beautiful Whitstable Castle & Gardens ☕🌷 …and for the brave, perhaps even a little dip in the sea 🙂🌊 ⭐️ Optional food and drinks in a local pub afterwards 🍻 ⭐️ Walk details: • Approx. 5.5 miles • Linear walk • Gentle social pace 🚆 Meet: St. Pancras station by top of escalators at 9.45 🚆 Train departs: 10.20 train to Herne Bay ( gets in at 11.42am) (Approx. 1/3 off with GroupSave – I recommend a Network Railcard for regular trips) 💳 Organiser’s fee: £8 (cash/contactless) 📞 Contact Mairead – 07816 866300 Looking forward to a lovely day by the sea 🌊✨

**WHAT TO EXPECT - HIKING INFO** Distance: **25km** (c. 15 miles) Ascent: c. **585m** Estimated Duration (approx): **7 hours walking (moderate pace 4km/hr)** Difficulty: **Energetic** **HIGHLIGHT** · Great views from Amberley Mount and Rackman Hill · Undulating paths over the downs heading south towards Worthing · Slow ascents and descents on remote paths away from South Downs Way · Visit the ancient and most historic hill fort in Sussex – The Cissbury Ring. · Optional sea swim at the end! **DESCRIPTION** *This walk is on paths less travelled over South Downs rolling hills with fantastic views along the way. There is an optional sea swim at the end for those who want to cool off after a good day’s walk.* This is a beautiful part of the south downs with fantastic views and rolling hills - and with some neolithic and bronze age history along our way. We start our walk in Amberley as we head up our first hill onto the South Downs to Rackman Hill for fantastic views looking north towards the North Downs – hopefully we will have good views on the day. We then head south over rolling hills and forlorn paths, meeting locals who know the less travelled parts of the south downs. I have chosen a route which meanders past other settlement hills and hopefully with views over to the sea. We pass Finden for a refreshment stop after 14km (no pub stops before then). We then head over to Cissbury Ring – the oldest hill fort on the South Downs Way. It boasts much history - a neolithic flint mines, bronze age burial ground, iron age hill fort, a roman mint, a tudor vantage point before it was investigated archeologically by the Victorians. Then onto Worthing for a drink and a swim! Option at this stage is to head back to London or go down to Worthing Pier and have a swim. *ps. My walks make time to enjoy the views, take in local history, and look at interesting buildings along the way.* **PROGRAMME** You can choose to **meet at London Victoria or the Hike Starting Point**. The applicable time and meeting points are detailed below. **MEETING POINT:** We will assemble beside Nero's and by Neil Yards Remedies opposite the Information Desk **LONDON STATION MEETING DETAILS** **Assembly Time:** by 08.00 - for those looking to come in on the Group Save by 08.15 - for people who have their own tickets as we move to the train 08.32 - train departs 09.59 - train arrives **HIKE START POINT** Leave at: **10.10** Meetup Point: **Amberley Train Station** \- outside the front **RETURN** It is impossible to promise a specified finish train and time, but we aim to return to London on the **18.35 (20.05 arrival)** if you are not swimming. There are trains at 35mins and 55mins per hour (the latter trains at 55mins take much longer). There is a train at 17.35 (19.05 arrival) but we're unlikely to catch this train. **HIKE COST** The cost for the **hike is £10 per person** **TRAIN INFORMATION** For those buying their own tickets, please get a **return to FORD (covers both the Amberley and Worthing train routes) .** **GROUP SAVE** Group save train fare is **£26.70** \- if you want to join in\, please message me\. Alternatively, you can buy a Network Railcards for £35/ year for similar off peak savings. www.network-railcard.co.uk. **REVIEWS** [Trip Advisor](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d19994843-Reviews-AAA_Hiking_Outdoor_Group-London_England.html) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews) \| [MeetUp](https://www.meetup.com/aaa-outdoor-hiking-adventure-travel/feedback-overview/) **PRICE INCLUDES** · Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid. **PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE** · Travel costs · Lunch, drinks or any refreshments · PayPal fees **RECOMMENDED KIT LIST** [(](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist)complete list[)](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist) · Suitable hiking shoes or boots · Packed lunch and snacks · Water - 2 litres recommended · Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!) · Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece · Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino **CANCELLING/REFUNDS** If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com **after the event**, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund. **QUESTIONS** If you have any other questions, please check visit our [FAQ page](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/frequently-asked-questions). If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page. We have operated over 1,000 events without significant incidents in the last ten years, achieved through meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions. © AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted

⛰️ Petersfield Curcular via the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, a beautiful area which has been called Little Switzerland due to its wooded hills. The name Hanger comes from the Old English Hangra, meaning "wooded hillside". This lovely farmland and woodland trail that takes you along scenic paths where you can take in the views and keep an eye out for wildlife between the trees and in the fields! 🔴 **HIKE:** 📏 26km (16 miles) 🏔️ Elev. Gain: **800m** 💓 Av. Pace: 5.2km/h *✊ **Pace & Purpose:** Active Muslims is about focusing on the actual activity. These are **paced walks and hikes (not strolls)**, so please join us with that* ***[active mindset and purpose](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DBhPWpdIMKq/)*** *in mind.* 📍 **Meet at:** **Waterloo: Opposite Platform 3** 🔄 **Start/End:** **Petersfield Station /** [Waterloo] ⌚ **Meet from:** 9:31, the train departs at **10:03** *[arrives 11:40 at Petersfield \ Return train aimed at 6:24pm.]* **🚆 Travel & Tickets** All our regular walks & hikes are free to join. You are welcome to arrange your own travel or meet us at the destination station. **Option 1: Buy Your Own Ticket** We recommend buying on the day. Use a **Network Railcard** or a **GroupSave** discount where possible. ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ **Option 2: Group Ticket (3+ People)** I can help purchase group tickets to save costs, **BUT you must arrive at the station before the platform is announced to collect your physical ticket.** To join this: 💳 **[PayPal Here (£19.70)](https://paypal.me/mubasher001/19.70)** or 💳[ ](https://revolut.me/mubashermalik?currency=GBP&amount=1970)**[Revolut Here (£19.70)](https://revolut.me/mubashermalik?currency=GBP&amount=1970)** *Please send via Friends & Family and make sure no **fee is charged*** **⏳Deadline**: Saturday 7:01pm 📱 **Confirmation**: Message on **[WhatsApp](https://tinyurl.com/5n68255b)** with your **Meetup Name** once paid *ℹ️ No refunds once tickets are purchased.* ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 🚻 Waterloo, on-board train **🎒 Essentials:** * **Gear:** Hiking boots (recommended), hiking socks (or double socks), and layered clothing. * **Food/Water:** Packed lunch, snacks, and 1.5–2L of water. * **Tech:** Fully charged phone + portable power bank. * **Safety:** Emergency whistle + Headtorch (winter). * **Prayer:** If you are praying, please ensure you have **wudu** beforehand. Be ready to join the group promptly to keep us on schedule **📋 Attendance Policy:** When an event has a **waiting list**, priority is given to new joiners and those with a reliable attendance record - *previous "No-Shows" may be moved to the waitlist to ensure spots go to reliable attendees [[why it matters](https://tinyurl.com/28sh83cn)]* ⛑️ **Disclaimer**: You are solely responsible for your own safety on these events and have the fitness level required for it. That you do not require special attention, medication or additional care. You are also responsible for your belonging at all times. 🚦 **[Walk/Hike Levels:](https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BBxV4zomeZ)** 🟢 Easy 🟡 Average 🟠 Moderate 🔴 Challenging ⚫ Very Challenging **Follow us for updates:** 🌐 **[@Active.Muslims](https://www.instagram.com/active.muslims)**

Have you ever wanted to partake in hikes where you get exposed to new areas with luscious forms of nature, some amazing views and possibly some hidden gems? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to another Hiking event where all of this is possible. This is the opportunity to form friendships, discover a different perspective of London, improve your fitness, embrace nature but also feel great about yourself. With this particular Hike, we’ll be hiking from Streatham Common to Wimbledon park. We’ll be traversing through many parks, forests and nature pathways but also make new discoveries too. This is also part of the capital ring which is a 78 mile pathway split into 15 hiking routes. This is section 5. If you want to be part of the journey, feel free to join us. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy Starting point: Streatham Common station Ending point: Wimbledon Park station Walking length: 9.6km Duration: 3 hours at most Required clothing: Smart casual, comfortable shoes and a jacket in case it gets cold
Departure: 20 minutes after the meeting time. WHAT - Hike WHERE - Streatham common to Wimbledon Park WHEN - 2pm - 5:30pm MEETING POINT - Outside Streatham Common Station NEAREST STATION - Streatham Common Station REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour is all and whatever is listed above for the walk. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

Hosted by Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District **Stream Team Sampling Events** Are you interested in the health of local rivers and streams? You can join the Licking County Soil and Water in a Stream Team assessment. These events are a night filled will fun in the water. We look at habitat, biology, and chemical parameters in waterways that indicate how healthy our water is! We would love to see you at one of these events! Family friendly. Free to attend. June Wildwood Park, Granville Where: 785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 Date: 6/11/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. July Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill Where:11324 Mount Vernon Rd, Utica, OH 43080 Date: 7/9/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

Granville Land Lab 2025 Burg Street | Granville MEADOWS FOR MONARCHS PROJECT Learning Landscapes Tour + Community Science at the Land Lab Wednesday, July 1, 2026 9 a.m. - 12 noon: Program 12- 12:30: picnic lunch *meet at shelter house near Granville Intermediate School playground* Free. Registration Required so we know to expect you,[ click here https://www.lickingpollinatorpathway.org/land-lab-tour](https://www.lickingpollinatorpathway.org/land-lab-tour) Want to make your own wildflower meadow? Residents of licking county can sign up for this free program to receive free seed and training https://www.lickingpollinatorpathway.org/meadows **ABOUT THE EVENT** Join Pollinator Pathway for a morning at the Land Lab, a ~100-acre prairie and outdoor learning space just steps from Granville Intermediate School. This event explores how schools and other campuses can create living classrooms and contribute to community science. * **Tour the Land Lab:** Award-winning environmental science educator Jim Reding will lead guided tours through prairie, wetlands and other restored habitat, sharing the story behind this nationally-recognized space and the students and partnerships who helped make it happen. * **Contribute to Community Science with iNaturalist App:** Learn to identify and document plants, pollinators and other wildlife using iNaturalist. Dr. Karen Goodell, professor of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University at Newark and one of Ohio's foremost experts on native bees will share how to use this powerful tool to learn about the natural world while contributing to scientific research. * **Connect & Collaborate:** The morning program concludes with an optional BYO picnic lunch and networking at the Land Lab shelter house, overlooking the prairie. **🌸Anyone passionate about conservation and outdoor learning is welcome🌸** **WHAT TO BRING, WEAR & PREPARE** * **Download the iNaturalist app (the new one vs. the "classic" one) & create an account prior to the event if you don't have one already.** * **Sunscreen** * **Water bottle** * **Insect repellent** * **Hat** * **Comfortable closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven terrain** * **Light-colored clothing.** * **Long pants and socks are encouraged.** * **Please bring a reusable water bottle** * **Packed/picnic lunch.** **Picnic table seating will be available at the shelter house overlooking the Land Lab**

The number of ticks and tick diseases in Ohio have quickly multiplied over the last 10 years. Dean Kreager discusses tick species, tick pathogens, tick-borne diseases, tick bite prevention, and proper tick removal. Kreager is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator with OSU Extension in Licking County * Lakewood Public Library (in Hebron)- May 26 at 7pm [https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/tick-talk-29621](https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/tick-talk-29621) * Johnstown public library at 7:00 pm June 8 [https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/ctick-talk-29622](https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/ctick-talk-29622) Free to attend, no RSVP needed

June 17, 2026: Worthington Library. Wild Ohio: The Best of Our Natural Heritage. Jim McCormac. Worthington, Ohio. 7 pm.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Garden to the Max Join the Inniswood Garden Society for their annual meeting and garden reception. Featured speaker, Teresa Woodard, will discuss maximalist gardening Having a maximalist garden is a bold aesthetic choice—yet it also brings vitality back to the earth, in an abundant expression of more. Garden to the Max celebrates gardens across the US that embrace maximalism through joy and wonder, nonstop blooms, and abundant layers 06/07/2026 Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Days: Sun Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S Hempstead Rd Westerville, OH, 43081 (614)508-8111 Location Map: Innis House.