Press Release
Fla. Museum winter/spring 2006 public programs, lectures & classes
For Immediate Release Jan. 27, 2006
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Dir. of Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@ufl.edu
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
*Public Programs
Glow Living Lights Public Opening
Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
What do lightning bugs, angler fish and Bermuda Fire have in common? They all glow! Join us for an "enlightening"
day of discovery as we learn about scores of organisms that chemically produce their own light. Learn how belly lights,
burglar alarms and vomiting help marine animals survive. Discover how the color of lights plays a role in defense and
hunting. Enjoy a day of illuminating fun with hands-on activities that explore "living light" adaptations.
Secret Lights in the Sea
Saturday, Jan. 28 | 11 a.m.
Join deep sea explorer and international expert Dr. Edith Widder to learn the how, where and why of bioluminescence. Hear
about the latest innovations for deep-sea research and applications to marine conservation. Share in the amazement of critters
that glow in the dark.
Collectors Day
Saturday, Feb. 11 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gather your nets, jars and collection books! From nutcrackers to nematodes, collections will abound on this day of collectors and
conservationists. Visit with local collectors and view some of the Museum's own. Learn how collections contribute to science and
conservation. Make a collection book and take home tools to start your own.
Pollination Parade
Saturday, March 25 | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Join us for a morning of pollinating pleasure with presentations, live bats and hands-on activities to learn about bats, butterflies,
moths and the important role they share as pollinators. Then caravan to the Lubee Bat Conservancy to see colonies of bats from
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
*Science Sunday Lectures
Join us for Science Sunday and FREE Snoops this spring. Attend a diverse array of adult lectures while your children enjoy free
programming on related themes with Florida Museum staff. Children will be returned to parents at the end of each lecture and prior
to book-signings. Sunday lectures are from 2-3 p.m.
Frolicking Bears, Wet Vultures and Other Oddities: A New York City Journalist in Nineteenth-Century Florida
Feb. 19 | 2-3 p.m.
Florida Museum Curator of Archaeology Jerald T. Milanich will share stories and antics from his newly released book that compiles
the wanderings and musings of Amos Jay Cummings in the late 1800s. Hear Cumming's historic writings about "bruins and buzzards;
rednecks and racists; murderers and mosquitoes; rich soils and poor souls," and learn how his tales reveal the untamed frontier that
once was Florida. Milanich will offer a book signing following this event.
Spineless Wonders
March 5 | 2-3 p.m.
Join Florida Museum malacologist Gustav Paulay for an underwater adventure into the colorful world of coral reefs. Explore the
diversity and wonder of creatures that inhabit reef systems!
Reconstructing Past Environments: Utilizing Fossil Teeth to Infer Ancient Ecology
April 9 | 2-3 p.m.
Join University of Florida/Florida Museum Ph.D. student Larisa Grawe DeSantis as she describes research to reconstruct ancient
environments from tapir teeth. Learn how fossils from the eastern United States are being used to recreate the density of forests and
grasslands during the Neogene period, and why tapirs are particularly helpful in revealing secrets of the past.
Butterflies of the East Coast
April 23 | 2-3 p.m.
Join author Rick Cech for this presentation of accessible facts and photos about butterflies of the eastern United States. Learn about
both common and rare butterflies and catch-up on the complexity of butterfly behavior. Book-signing to follow lecture.
*Museum Nights - Thursday evenings
Close the Day... Open Your Mind. Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art each Thursday
night! These events are co-sponsored by University of Florida Student Government. Visit
http://www.sg.ufl.edu/SpecialEvents/MuseumNight/ for a complete
schedule.
Special Event Nights
Bats & Butterflies: A Celebration of Pollinators
April 6 | 5-8 p.m.
Come see our award-winning Butterfly Rainforest, search for night-flying moths and learn about Florida pollinators, including live bats
and butterflies. Admission to the Rainforest is free to UF students with their Gator 1 ID card from 5-7:30 p.m. Last admission to the
Butterfly Rainforest is 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Lubee Bat Conservancy.
Science Movie Nights
Enter the world of cinematic science during select Museum Nights. This spring, the Museum will continue its science movie series,
with a scientific expert who can decipher fact from fiction in a fun-filled critique.
Anaconda
Jan. 19 | 7 p.m.
Do anacondas devour humans? Find out as Florida Museum herpetologist Kenny Krysko reviews this PG-13-rated horror flick.
Tarzan of the Apes
Feb. 16 | 7 p.m.
Catch jungle fever with UF forest ecologist Jack Putz and explore jungle representations in this showing of the original 1918 silent
film featuring Elmo Lincoln and Enid Markey.
The Relic
March 30 | 8 p.m.
Join Florida Museum Molecular Lab Curator Pam Soltis to dissect myth from reality as a mysterious creature takes over the Chicago
Museum of Natural History. Rated R for violence and language.
*Adult Classes
Edible Geography
Saturday, March 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Do oranges really come from Florida? Does coffee come from the Andes? Why are potatoes Irish? Join Dr. Patti Anderson in this
vegetarian-based class of botanical geography! If you've ever wondered where some of the foods we eat originated, bring your
curiosity, and we'll provide the botanical travel guide. Taste spices that spurred explorers to search for the new world and add spice
to your next culinary conversation. $25 members/$30 non-members. Pre-registration required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 for
more information.
Butterfly Gardening in Spring
Saturdays, May 6-27 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Horticulturist Hannah Nendick-Mason will lead you into the world of butterfly gardening with this four-session class. Learn to attract
some of North Central Florida's butterflies to your own backyard by exploring basic butterfly biology, types of local butterflies, larval
host and nectar plants, garden design, site preparation and planting, and general garden care and maintenance. $70 members, $90
non-members. Pre-registration required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 for more information.
*Preschool Classes
Wigglers & Walkers
Wiggle with pleasure the second Wednesday of the month for child-friendly fun with Florida Museum docents and staff. Join your
preschoolers to learn about Museum exhibits through stories, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Come early to park your
stroller and make new friends. Members: $3 adult/child pair, with $1 each additional child. Non-members: $4 adult/child pair, with
$1 each additional child. Call 352-846-2000, ext. 277.
Night and Day
Jan. 11 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Who's diurnal? Who's nocturnal? And who glows in the dark? Join us for wiggling fun as we explore the diverse habits of animals
and plants
Who's Home?
Feb. 8 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Nests and holes, snags and mounds. Find all the crazy places nature abounds!
Driving me Buggy!
March 8 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Do bees sneeze? Do butterflies have knees? Take an insect adventure with us!
Going, Going . . . Almost Gone
April 12 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
From manatees of Florida to turtles of the sea — learn about species that are endangered.
*Grades K-5 Classes
Animal Towns & Undergrounds
Friday, Jan. 13 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Join us for some spelunking fun as we explore the world beneath our feet. Uncover mysteries that surround caves, burrowing animals,
animal architecture and more! $60 members, $72 non-members. Pre-registration required. Students must bring a sack lunch. Call (352) 846-2000,
ext. 277 for more information.
Living Lights & Sparkling Seas
Friday, March 24 | 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Common in the ocean, but rare on land, bioluminescence is one of nature's remarkable wonders. From fireflies to vampire squid, this
study of glowing organisms will include some chemistry, biology, ecology and even oceanography. Visit the exhibit Glow: Living Lights
and have some fun! $60 members, $72 non-members. Pre-registration required. Students must bring a sack lunch. Call (352) 846-2000,
ext. 277 for more information.
Let's Explore! Spring Series
Our exploration series continues this spring with a focus on Amazing Adaptations. $15 members, $20 non-members. Pre-registration
required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 for more information.
"Light's Alive!" — Things that Glow
Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Shape Shifters
Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Freaky Frogs
Saturday, March 11 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Squirmy Worms and Things that Squiggle
Saturday, April 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Spring Break Camps!
April 3-7 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
Join us as we explore natural wonders this spring! Dress for the weather and outdoor activities. Bring a lunch for the full day.
Pre-registration is required. Each camp session is $90 members/$110 non-members. A full-day camp registration is $180
members/$200 non-members and includes lunchtime supervision.
Morning Class: Nature Detectives
Learn to identify animals in the Natural Area Teaching Lab behind the Museum or your own backyard using tracks, scat, skulls
and more! Become a wildlife tracker as you explore the fun clues nature leaves behind.
Afternoon Class: Amazon Adventure!
Put on your insect repellent and boots, as you follow the Amazon 3,000 miles from the Andes to the sea. Venture into the rainforest
to discover the diverse array of plants, animals and cultures that inhabit the Amazon region and learn new discoveries of science and
culture.
*Grades 6-8 Classes
Where the Wild Wood Grows
Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Take a walk on the wild side! Learn basic forest ecology and explore the plants, soils and animals of the Natural Area Teaching
Laboratory. $30 members, $36 non-members for each class. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 for more information.
Nature at Night
Saturday, March 11 | 5-9 p.m.
Take a twilight adventure as you encounter the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory at night. Study the night stars, track night-time
predators and learn what being nocturnal is all about! $30 members, $36 non-members for each class. Call (352) 846-2000, ext.
277 for more information.
*Home School Classes
Ages 7-11
Fossils: Clues from the Past
Jan 30, Feb 6, Feb 13 & Feb 20 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
What strange and amazing creatures lived in Florida millions of years ago? Explore the Fossil Hall where many of the exhibit's
fossils were found within 100 miles of Gainesville. Discover how paleontologists dig up clues to the past. What tools do they use?
What are fossils and how do they form? You'll make your own fossil without waiting millions of years to see your results.
Pre-registration for the four-week session is required by Jan. 17. $60 members, $72 non-members. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277
for more information.
Beautiful Butterflies
April 10, April 17, April 24, & May 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
What makes a butterfly an insect? Compare butterflies and moths and explore their life cycles and adaptations. Learn to identify
common Florida butterflies. Discover the wonderful world of butterfly gardening when you learn how to attract butterflies to your
garden. Pre-registration for the four-week session is required by March 27. $60 members, $72 non-members, plus a $4 lab fee.
Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277 for more information.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Florida Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. For more information, including directions and parking information, call (352) 846-2000, or visit the museum online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.