Lost Words in the Garden
August 15 @ 8:30 am – 10:00 am
About ten years ago the Oxford Junior Dictionary (OJD) removed words from nature like acorn, buttercup, fern, heron, to make room for technology words like analogue, chatroom, and voicemail. They claimed the dictionary merely reflected the life experience of young readers.
The fact that words like dandelion and doe, pelican and poppy were not part of the “life experience” of young readers concerns us. While these words are alive in the wild, children, especially those with limited access to natural places, have been robbed of language that might help them imagine the world beyond their door.
Join us for a walk through Zilker Botanical Garden to discover some of The Lost Words in the garden and learn about ways to reconnect to the natural world. All ages are welcome!!
This walk connects with the Dougherty Arts Center exhibition, Recovering The Lost Words (https://www.austintexas.gov/dougherty/julia-c-butridge-gallery) On display from July 6 – August 15, 2026.
