5 Plants that Changed the World

This illustrated talk focuses upon just a few of the hundreds of worthy candidates for the auspicious title of ‘World Changing’. Michael has chosen species which have benefited humankind from prehistory and into the future – for our food and health, technology and industry, understanding of our world and even some ways that we destroy it and ourselves. Via his own book (‘I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast’), he’ll also highlight some more weird and wonderful facts about the amazing power of plants and their importance in our lives – past, present and future.

Michael Holland studied Ecology at Lancaster and Oregon State Universities and is a keen photographer, wildlife gardener and all-round composting nerd! Michael had a 25-year career at the eminent Chelsea Physic Garden in London, latterly as Head of Education for over 17 years. He has taught tens of thousands of people, aged 2 to 92, about the natural world. A Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and the London Environmental Educators’ Forum (LEEF) Michael has spoken at a number of global conferences; a highlight being invited to lecture at a botanical garden in Japan.

He has appeared on a number of television and radio shows and podcasts about plants and history (including Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Channel 5’s ‘The Thames: Britain’s Great River’ series with Tony Robinson and Mr Plant Geek’s Plant-Based Podcast to name a few). His recent book ‘I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast’ is a colourful compendium of plants and ethnobotany aimed at children and families.

The SLBI is a registered charity for botanical education. It supports people of all ages and backgrounds in learning about plants. By making a donation with your booking you will help to sustain our work with school children, families and the wider community. As a small charity, any amount you can give, large or small, will be warmly appreciated and make an enormous difference. Thankyou.

We will email you the link and password on the morning of the talk