Overview: Join us for an engaging conversation with author Paula Whyman as she shares the captivating story behind her new book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop (January 2025).
In conversation with Charlotte Lorick, Head of Biodiversity Conservation at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Paula will take us on a journey through her attempt to restore a sprawling piece of farmland in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, a land that had long been left to its own devices. With both awe and humility, Paula will highlight her personal challenges and triumphs as she faced the complexities of conservation work, including invasive species, rattlesnakes, and an abundance of expert advice that often contradicts itself.
During this converation, Paula will share her experiences trying to breathe new life into this wild, untamed piece of nature. From her first foray into hands-on ecology to her surprising discoveries in the meadows, orchards, and forests, Paula’s story is a testament to the messy, beautiful chaos of nature and the lessons that emerge from it.
Tickeers:
$10 Admission; $30 Admission + Book
Advanced Praise for Bad Naturalist:
"Glorious....perhaps Whyman's greatest success is that with this delightful book she distills useful practices for other landowners, as well as the importance of doing what she did."
―Washington Gardener
"How can someone who knows nothing about ecological restoration successfully rehab 200 acres of retired farmland? In Bad Naturalist, her self-deprecating, humorous, and thoroughly engaging book, Paula Whyman tells us exactly how. She describes the many pitfalls, explains how she triumphed over them, and details the many benefits of persevering, both for herself and for her mountaintop ecosystem. Why should landowners read this book? Because they own—and need to restore—most of the landscape, an awesome responsibility whose meaning Whyman has distilled for us.”
―Douglas W. Tallamy, New York Times bestselling author of Nature’s Best Hope
Registration and Arrival:
This event will be capped at 70 attendees. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Eventbrite until full. The event will begin with refreshments in the Oak Spring Granary at 4:30pm. The lecture will officially begin at 5:00pm.
Photo Release Statement
By attending this event, you consent to your likeness and image being used for ongoing promotional and marketing efforts.
Header Image: Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop - Paula Whyman (January 2025)
This lecture is hosted by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in collaboration with Middleburg Books.
About Paula Whyman:
Paula Whyman’s first book of nonfiction is Bad Naturalist. Her earlier book, You May See a Stranger, is an award-winning linked short story collection. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post and The American Scholar, and in journals including McSweeney’s Quarterly, Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, and The Hudson Review. She was awarded residencies by MacDowell, Yaddo, VCCA, The Studios of Key West, and Oak Spring Garden Foundation. Her work on this book was supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. She spends her time on a mountain in Virginia with her husband and a mercurial standard poodle. Visit Paula online at paulawhyman.com