This Weekend: A Bow from Wild Medicine

Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on September 6 2013, by Matt Newman

And with that, we say goodbye. This weekend, The New York Botanical Garden is buttoning up summer’s Wild Medicine exhibition to make room for the arrival of new fall programming (announcements on that to come!) But, as I mentioned yesterday, we’re not about to close out the last few months without a little fanfare.

Taking the stage Saturday at 1 p.m., Wild Medicine curator Dr. Michael Balick presents “Ancient Wisdom and Modern Medicine,” an enlightening presentation on ethnobotany and the global medicinal plant landscape as informed by his many years of plant exploration worldwide. Tickets are limited for this Ross Hall event, so it’s best to make a point of registering yours online before you arrive.

Another special event taking place on Saturday the 7th is our once-only bibliophile treasure hunt! Don’t worry, that’s my own personal title for it. After 12 years away from fiction, Liz Gilbert—author of Eat, Pray, Love—is back with The Signature of All Things, a sweeping tale of botany, exploration, and love in the 19th century. So it’s only fitting that we’d hold this contest at one of the world’s finest botanical institutions. When you’re walking the grounds this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., keep an eye out for one of 10 special vouchers hidden throughout. If you happen to see the cover of Liz’ new book on the laminated sheet, snap it up and bring it to our Shop in the Garden for a free advance copy of the novel and a $25 discount on an NYBG Adult Education course of your choice!

One more highlight for Saturday is the return of Debbie Becker’s weekend Bird Walk. I suspect the summer hiatus felt like an eternity for our dedicated local birders, but it’s smooth sailing from here on out with Bird Walks held nearly every Saturday at 11 a.m. If you’re new to the experience, bring binoculars if you have a pair—otherwise you can borrow one of a limited number at our Visitor Center.

We’ll also have a special Poetry Reading with writer and Renaissance scholar Linda Gregerson, home gardening demonstrations for chrysanthemum lovers, opportunities to try our newest botanical iPhone app, and more, so don’t miss this last opportunity to check out what so many New Yorkers have been enjoying all summer! Wild Medicine closes its doors on Sunday, September 8.

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Saturday, September 7

Tour Wild Medicine in the Conservatory
In the Conservatory, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Guides throughout the exhibition help bring the stories of Wild Medicine to life and guide your experience. Learn about featured medicinal plants and their cultural significance, the origin of medicinal gardens, and more.

Bird Walk – 11:00 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool

The Garden is home to a plethora of native and migrating birds. The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert to learn about bird-friendly habitats, migrating species, and birds that make a permanent home at the Garden. Bird Walks are held weekly from September through June, with the exception of November 30, 2013.

Closing Weekend Lecture with Curator Dr. Michael Balick — Ancient Wisdom and Modern Medicine: Rainforest Remedies – 1 p.m.
In the Ross Hall

Seating is limited; reserve your tickets in advance to guarantee seating.
Get your tickets here and Select the special All-Garden Pass with the same title as the lecture above.

Curator Dr. Michael J. Balick concludes the run of the Wild Medicine exhibition with a lecture discussing his ethnobotanical fieldwork on islands of the Pacific and elsewhere around the world. In seeking to show the potential of traditional knowledge and practices in the modern world, as well as preserve the biodiversity upon which it depends, scientists find themselves in a race against time, with both tropical ecosystems being destroyed and ancient wisdom about the plants and their environment rapidly being lost. Find out how a team of scientists and local people are working together to help document plant based health traditions before it is lost as elders pass away and younger people do not learn these skills, as well as conserve important habitats for future generations.

Home Gardening Demonstration – Beyond Mums: Fall Container Ideas – 2 p.m.
In the Home Gardening Center

Join us to discover tips and techniques for planting sensational seasonal containers. Learn how to choose a container that is right for you and to create designs that explode with color and texture.

Poetry of the Italian Renaissance
Saturday, September 7, 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall

Poetry comes to life during this dramatic reading of poetry with Linda Gregerson, Renaissance scholar, author of The Woman Who and classically trained actor, presented in conjunction with the Music and Dance of the Italian Renaissance performances. Immerse fully in the arts as poets read translations of 16th Century romantic and botanically inspired works, arranged in collaboration with the Poetry Society of America.

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Sunday, September 8

Tour Wild Medicine in the Conservatory
In the Conservatory, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Guides throughout the exhibition help bring the stories of Wild Medicine to life and guide your experience. Learn about featured medicinal plants and their cultural significance, the origin of medicinal gardens, and more.

Music and Dance of the Italian Renaissance – 1 & 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall

Enjoy a rich repertoire of music and dance of the Italian Renaissance period presented by members of Early Music New York-Frederick Renz, Director with members of the New York Historical Dance Company. Performers wear costumes and play historical instruments to reproduce the sights and sounds of this period music. Learn about the music and instruments compared to their modern counterparts. On select performance days, immerse fully in the arts as actors read translations of 16th Century romantic and botanically inspired works, arranged in collaboration with the Poetry Society of America.

Home Gardening Demonstration – Beyond Mums: Fall Container Ideas
In the Home Gardening Center – 2 p.m.

Join us to discover tips and techniques for planting sensational seasonal containers. Learn how to choose a container that is right for you and to create designs that explode with color and texture.

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Ongoing Children’s Programs

Outdoor Nature Exploration at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
Open daily during regular Garden hours;
Guided Activities: Tuesdays-Fridays, 1:30-5:30 p.m.,
Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Explore nature and plant science through seasonally changing programs, themed galleries, and hands-on activities in the William and Lynda Steere Discovery Center as well as through outdoor exploration of the 12-acre Adventure Garden.

Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
April 6 – October 11, 2013; 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Kids can explore with Mario’s Menu Mystery game, featuring favorite vegetables and herbs from nine of his restaurants’ kitchens, including Otto and Del Posto.
Included in any All-Garden Pass.

Cooking Demonstrations
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, at the Whole Foods Market® Family Garden Kitchen
May 11 – October 11, 2013: Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 2 & 4 p.m.

From late spring into early fall, learn to cook up flavorful new recipes using garden-fresh ingredients, twice a day on Wednesdays and weekends in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.