Biodiversity Summer
Carnegie Museum of
Natural History focuses on Biodiversity in 2002 with programs for adults
and children
Open your eyes to
everyday environmental emergencies
Biodiversity 911: Saving Life on Earth
June 1 through
September 3, 2002
This visitor-friendly introduction to a global subject
answers the questions: what is biodiversity, why is it declining? and how
can we help protect it? The
innovative activities of Biodiversity
911 are fun for the family, and an educational breakthrough on this
worldwide concern.
In Biodiversity Theater we meet lovable characters like the
shrimp, whale or rhinoceros (all endangered species) in an emergency room
asking for the help of a live-action doctor. Thus you find out about biodiversity
issues such as habitat loss, pollution and overfishing
Then, in six interactive areas based on characters from
the show, you explore exhibits such as a colorful crawl through coral reef,
a giant temperate forest tree, and what is alive in a larger-than-life
clump of soil. At the scrolling tree area, visitors discover the incredible
diversity of life in a rain forest. In the marine diversity area, kids can
play a computer fishing game and shop for fish in an interactive "Day at the Market."
The "Difference of One" computer kiosk helps
you identify the personal changes anyone can make to help protect the
Earth's incredible diversity—from the local to the global scale. The
"Wild World" computer kiosk shows you how scientists study
biodiversity around the world. And within the exhibition, a music video by
the popular environmental singer/songwriter Billy B. encourages movement
and interaction, while exposing younger visitors to key ideas in
biodiversity.
Developed by World Wildlife Fund and designed by Jeff
Kennedy Associates, Inc., with a
creative film by Academy-Award winning Aardman.
Powdermill Nature Reserve:
BioForay 2002
June 8
through 11
Powdermill Nature Reserve is holding its first BioForay
on four days in June, from Saturday June 8 through Tuesday June 11. The public is invited to the opening and
closing activities on June 8 and 11, while on June 9-10 scientists are in
the field conducting species surveys.
A "BioForay" emphasizes scientific
thoroughness by taking several days to survey select species of plants and
animals in a given area. In
contrast, the "BioBlitz," is an Olympic race with the clock to
see how many different species in a select area can be identified in 24
hours. The BioForay will add to the
database of environmental
information by finding out interesting local details about particular
groups in their chosen habitat. .
While Powdermill is famous for its year-round
bird-banding records, this BioForay is the first time the public has been
invited to share the activities of a full-scale biological survey. This year about 120 acres of the 2,200-acre
research station will be surveyed, and future years will cover different
areas.
The Powdermill education staff is seeking amateur
naturalists and hobbyists to volunteer as research assistants. On the first and last days, museum experts in entomology, mammalogy,
botany, birds, amphibians and reptiles and invertebrates will show the
public what they do, and why.
For more information about activities, and to volunteer,
call Theresa Gay Rohall, Coordinator of Education at 724.593.6105. Powdermill Nature Reserve, in the Laurel
Highlands at Rector, PA is about an hour and 15 minute drive east of
Pittsburgh, north from the Donegal exit of the Pennsylvania turnpike.
Wendell E. Wilson receives the 2001 Carnegie Mineralogical Award
The publisher and
editor-in-chief of The Mineralogical Record, Wendell E.
Wilson, PhD, received the Carnegie Mineralogical Award at the Tucson Gem
and Mineral Show in February. The
annual award was presented by Bill DeWalt, Director of Carnegie Museum of
Natural History, representing the museum's long-standing commitment to
honoring the best in contributions to specimen mineralogy.
The section head of
Hillman Hall of Minerals & Gems, Marc Wilson, noted that The Mineralogical Record sets a standard of excellence that
challenges other periodicals around the world to raise their standards, and
specifically the standards of Wendell E. Wilson. This year Wendell Wilson celebrated his
25th year with the publication.
He is also famous in the mineralogical field for his many books, his
photography, and art works.
The Carnegie
Mineralogical Award, supported by the Hillman Foundation, honors the
outstanding contributions in mineralogical preservation, conservation, and
education that match the ideals advanced in the museum’s Hillman Hall of
Minerals & Gems.
Voices of the Earth
May 1 - July 31, 2002
Hillman Hall of Minerals & Gems
If Mother Nature
wore jewelry she would adorn herself with the gems displayed in Voices of the Earth. Designer Paula Crevoshay combines her artistry
with that of ten leading North American lapidary artists to create
pendants, brooches, and necklaces that celebrate biodiversity in an
exciting collection of lapidary art.
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