Alien
species invade for Earth Day
April 22, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Maria Sadowski (919) 733-7450,
ext. 305
RALEIGH - Looking for your Earth Day headquarters? Look no further than the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where critters and humans alike will celebrate Earth Day 2004: Alien Invasion on Saturday, April 24 from 9 am to 5 pm. This nature-loving event features live animals, crafts, and special presentations.
The event
focuses on a critical issue for the environment: invasive species, defined
as “alien” or non-native species that harm or are likely to
harm the economy, environment, or human health. Brush up on knowledge
at the “What Are Invasive Species” station. Learn about familiar
aliens like fire ants, gypsy moths, and kudzu as well as more unusual
one such as giant African snails, ocean plants known as
dinoflagellates, and introduced species of crayfish, mussels, and clams.
Do a little painting at the honeysuckle snakes craft station. Introduce
the invasive species topic to a younger crowd with the short film Green
Invaders, aimed at children younger than 10. Learn about the benefits
of planting native species such as cardinal flowers; you’ll discover
these and other garden delights in a native plant swap exhibit. Find out
about one of the most serious threats facing the state: sudden oak death,
a contagious fungus that attacks woody plants.
Special showings
in the WRAL Digital Theater include Invasive Exotic Plants: Problems &
Solutions, presented by Johnny Randall, assistant director for conservation
at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, at 1 pm and Along for the
Ride, the Museum’s informative and entertaining hit production about
invasive species, presented by Museum curator Bob Alderink at 11 am and
3 pm. No registration is necessary for this free event.
The
Earth Day blast continues into the evening with a special lecture by Peter
Raven, Time magazine’s “Hero for the Planet.” Raven,
director of the Missouri Botanical Garden and member of the National Academy
of Sciences, is one of the world’s leading advocates of conservation
and biodiversity. His lecture will focus on how alien invasives are responsible
for endangering native species and the roles that botanical gardens, the
nursery industry, and landscape architects have in determining if additional
invasives will destroy natural habitats.
The Peter Raven reception begins at 6:30 pm; lecture is at 7 pm. This event, sponsored by Friends of the Museum, is $10 for the general public; $5 for Friends members and students. To register, call 919.733.7450, ext. 303.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.
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