The Natural World Speaker Series
On select second Tuesdays of the month, we’re launching a new speaker series in 2026 featuring experts from across Southern California. Join us to explore a wide range of horticulture and nature topics, learn from leading voices in our community, and connect with others who share a passion for the natural world.
Sponsored by Green Day Landscaping
Evening Speaker Series:
- January 13, 2026 – A Pointed Subject: The Botany Behind Spines, Thorns, and Prickles / Sean Lahmeyer (The Huntington)
- February 10, 2026 – Botanizing the Remote Corners of Colombia: Exploring Biodiversity, Habitats & Discovery / Dylan Zoller (Sherman Library & Gardens)
- April 14, 2026 – California Natives: The Importance of Local Eco-Types / Keith Nevison (Santa Barbara Botanic Garden)
- May 12, 2026 – Saving Rare Plants: Advanced Horticulture on the California Islands / Kevin Alison (Catalina Island Conservancy)
- July 14, 2026 –Monarchs and Milkweeds – An Interactive Discussion
Upcoming Evening Talks:
- March 24, 2026 – Four Living Legends of Newport: Untold Tales from the Town’s Past / Don Webb, Nancy Gardner, Tom Johnson, Walt Howald
- April 28, 2026 – Theodore Roosevelt in California: The Presidential Adventure that Saved the Wilderness / Chris Epting (New York Times Bestselling Author)
- June 23, 2026 – Cognition as We Age: Separating Fact from Fiction / Dr. Matthew Grilli (Human Memory Lab at University of Arizona)
- June 30, 2026 – How Tragedy and a Russian Forged the World’s Greatest Lifeguard Department / Bill Lobdell (Newport Beach Historian Laureate)