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Book Talk: Water in the Desert by Gary Paul Nabhan
Thursday, July 2, 2026
5:30 pm
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Garden of Fragrance
Acclaimed agrarian activist and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan introduces his new memoir Water in the Desert: A Pilgrimage, a profoundly inspiring account of interspecies belonging, collaborative conservation, and the sacred work of caring for the earth.
Celebrated as a “world visionary” (Utne Reader) and our “lyrical poet of biodiversity” (Mother Jones), Gary Paul Nabhan has authored dozens of books and been awarded a MacArthur “genius grant.” In Water in the Desert, he traces the fascinating story of his life, offering in the process a vision for cultural renewal.
At once a refreshing account of a pathbreaking scientist-activist’s kinship with other species and cultures and an inspiring guide to the deeply collaborative ethic and practice of care required to flourish in kinship on Earth, Water in the Desert is a book for our time.
Presented in collaboration with Green Apple Books on the Park.
Featured Authors
Gary Paul Nabhan is a celebrated ethnobotanist and biocultural conservationist whose groundbreaking work has advanced ecological restoration, pollinator recovery, and Indigenous food revitalization. A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, John Burroughs Medal recipient, and James Beard Award winner, he has been recognized nationally for his contributions to both conservation and food culture. He lives in Patagonia, Arizona, where he continues to work at the intersection of ecology and community.
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