State Museum to host book talk with renowned environmental writer Margaret Renkl
November 9, 2025
Free event to feature conversation, reception and book signing on December 2
The South Carolina State Museum invites the public to celebrate South Carolina Arbor Day with a special evening featuring acclaimed author and environmental writer Margaret Renkl on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
Presented in observance of South Carolina Arbor Day, the evening will include a moderated discussion, reception and book signing. The conversation with Margaret Renkl will be led by James Barilla, author of My Backyard Jungle and professor of creative writing at the University of South Carolina.
Renkl is one of the South’s leading literary voices on nature, conservation and the environment. A contributing writer for The New York Times, she is the author of three celebrated books of essays, including The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, winner of the 2024 Southern Book Prize.
A native of Alabama and graduate of the University of South Carolina, Renkl brings a deeply Southern perspective to her reflections on nature, family and the changing environment. Her work encourages readers to rediscover the beauty and abundance in their own backyards and to act with compassion and urgency to protect it.
Margaret Renkl: Celebrating and Protecting Nature’s Gifts is a free program, but guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance at scmuseum.org. Copies of Renkl’s books will also be available for purchase during the event. For more information, visit scmuseum.org
About the South Carolina State Museum
Since opening in 1988, the South Carolina State Museum has been committed to collecting, preserving and showcasing the rich culture, art, natural history, technology and innovation of the Palmetto State. Through a comprehensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and four floors of stimulating exhibitions and displays housed within the historic Columbia Mills Building, the State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire and enrich the lives of millions of visitors and students from across South Carolina. For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org.
