Botany Bistro

Open your eyes to the fascinating world of plants in ways you never considered as you dive deep into botanical topics and scientific exploration during your lunch hour! This virtual lunch and learn series, held every other Friday from 12 to 12:45pm, will uncover the science behind plant form and function while highlighting significant local efforts to advance and conserve our botanical heritage.

Learners of all levels are welcome to join in and further their knowledge of plants. No matter what your background or interests are, understanding the complex processes of how plants thrive will help you maintain a healthy garden ecosystem in your landscape and empower you to protect and nurture natural spaces.

The Botany Bistro Schedule

The 2023-24 Botany Bistro series is over, and the Bistro is currently on hiatus. Check out the Botany Bistro archive for past sessions or sign up for updates below! Dates can also be found on our main CGC calendar.

Meet Your Instructor

CGC Ecology Education Manager Mary Dudley is a passionate educator who strives to bring environmental education to students of all ages who seek to integrate nature into their daily lives and classroom curriculum. Prior to rejoining the CGC team, she worked as the agriculture education teacher at James N. Gamble Montessori High School. Mary holds two graduate degrees: one in botany and another in workforce development education.

Mary created Botany Bistro because, as she explains: “The study of botany is very important to me personally. It has given me the ability to diagnose and treat plant problems, identify plants in nature and my backyard and appreciate the wonder of plants around me. I want to share this knowledge freely in the hopes that all of our neighbors will have the ability to incorporate plants into their lives, diets and playscapes.”