Earth Day Festivities at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Water Quality and the Future of Our State
April 13, 2005
Calendar, Science, Environment Reporters/Editors
Contact: Emelia
Cowans (919) 733-7450, ext. 305.
(Raleigh) -- Spend an exciting, educational day meeting live animals, exploring interactive displays and participating in special programs that highlight the importance of water quality as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences celebrates the 35th anniversary of Earth Day on Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Created in 1970, millions now celebrate Earth Day -- a worldwide environmental movement to protect our planet. As a division of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Museum chose "Water Quality" as this year's theme, tying directly into Earth Day's global theme: "Protect Our Children and Our Future."
Erin Mac Entee, Museum curator of educational events, says enhancing the public's understanding of water quality issues is critical to the success of DENR's strategic environmental plan for North Carolina. "This focus is an extension of the department's mission to raise public awareness of how people, other living things, and natural systems are interconnected. We want to let our visitors explore how they are related to all other life on Earth, and learn how they can help protect our shared natural resources."
With dozens of activities and displays inside and outside the Museum in downtown Raleigh, you can come learn about statewide efforts to create a greater understanding of local conservation issues and how DENR is working to protect the future of North Carolina's natural resources. The Division of Forest Resources, Division of Water Quality, the N.C. Zoo, and the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program headline the event.
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl will be on hand, courtesy of Forest Resources, to engage audiences of all ages. Forest Resources will also have an educational booth with information about tree planting and the agency's nursery program. Stations from agencies outside DENR include the U.S. Geological Survey, the N.C. Museum of Art's "Design-a-Pond" activity, and the N.C. Master Gardeners, who will teach the public about soil testing and planting to prevent soil loss.
The Museum is partnering with the Museum of
History in a scavenger hunt that will send participants across the
Bicentennial Plaza on an
educational adventure. The Museum will also host a cell phone, cell
phone battery and rechargeable battery recycling center sponsored by
the North Carolina Zoo, something Mac Entee believes is extremely important. "The
act of recycling creates a clean and secure method to reclaim valuable
materials for reuse and addresses many of the world's pressing environmental
issues."
Keeping with the water quality theme, there will be several activities
and presentations devoted to water, including a water taste test
to see if you can tell the difference between spring, tap and ozonated
water. Additionally, there will booths devoted to animals that play
an important role in conservation and water quality. For example,
find out why bullfrogs are considered an "indicator species."
The Museum's Earth Day activities are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Erin Mac Entee at 919-733-7450, ext. 502.
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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