GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Take a prehistoric road trip with the Florida Museum of Natural History during the opening of “Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway with artist Ray Troll and paleontologist Kirk Johnson” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4.

University of Florida mascots Albert and Alberta are scheduled to appear from 11 a.m. to noon for visitor photographs with the Albertosaurus skeleton in the exhibit. UF paleontologists, paleobotanists and geologists, as well as members of state fossil clubs including the Tampa Bay Fossil Club, Southwest Florida Fossil Club, Florida Fossil Hunters and the Florida Paleontological Society will also speak with visitors and display specimens from their collections.

“Visitors will have the chance to talk with experts, ask questions and examine real fossils,” said Amanda Erickson Harvey, Florida Museum education assistant. “The activities complement the exhibit, and it will be fun for visitors of any age.”

Opening day events also include face painting and two docent-guided tours of the exhibit at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Visitors may even compare their feet with the cast of a duck-billed dinosaur footprint in the museum’s Discovery Room.

Outside the museum, field vehicles with tools used by museum researchers will be displayed, and visitors may borrow fossil- and dinosaur-themed books, DVDs and CDs from the Alachua County Library District bookmobile.

Food from High Springs Orchard and Bakery as well as David’s BBQ will also be available for purchase.

The exhibit features 30 fossils, including a complete skeleton cast of Triceratops horridus, the famous three-horned dinosaur, in addition to Albertosaurus, a ferocious carnivore that lived about 70 million years ago. The fossils complement 19 color prints and five large-scale murals of Troll’s creative artwork, which illustrates imagined scenes from prehistoric times and brings fossils from the museum’s research collection to life. The exhibit also features a paleontology laboratory where visitors may watch museum scientists, volunteers and students prepare and examine actual fossils from the field.

While opening day activities are free, admission to “Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway” is $5 for adults, $4.50 for Florida residents, seniors and college students and $4 for ages 3-17. Value admission tickets to the exhibit and Butterfly Rainforest are also available, $13 for adults, $12 for Florida residents, seniors and college students and $9 for ages 3-17. Museum members receive free admission to both exhibits.

“Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway” is presented by the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences Inc. and the Florida Museum Associates Board. The exhibit was organized by the Burke Museum at the University of Washington.

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Sources: Amanda Harvey, 352-273-2052, aerickson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Logan Gerber
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

UF employees will receive postcards through campus mail, which may be presented at the front desk for free admission to the “Wild Music: Sounds and Songs of Life” and Butterfly Rainforest exhibits. Employees who do not receive a postcard may present a valid Gator 1 ID for free admission. Employees may also show their Gator 1 ID to receive a 10 percent discount in the museum gift shops, including butterfly-friendly plant purchases. All other museum exhibits are free.

“The staff and faculty represent UF’s most valuable asset,” said Florida Museum of Natural History Director Douglas Jones. “By offering free admission to our two fee-based exhibits, the Florida Museum can show its appreciation to the staff and faculty for all they do to enrich our community.”

Other permanent exhibits include “Our Energy Future,” “Explore Research,” “Collections are the Library of Life,” “Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life & Land,” “Northwest Florida: Waterways & Wildlife,” and “South Florida People & Environments.”

In addition to “Wild Music,” which closes Jan. 2 other temporary exhibits include “Dugout Canoes: Paddling through the Americas,” on display through fall 2013, and “Birds of the World: From Science to Art,” on display through April 29.

Families may also enjoy the Discovery Room, scheduled to close Jan. 1.

The Butterfly Rainforest is a 6,400-square-foot screened, outdoor enclosure with tropical plants and hundreds of living butterflies from around the world. Rainforest employees conduct butterfly releases with a brief presentation in the exhibit on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

“Wild Music: Sounds & Songs of Life” explores the biological origins of music and offers a wide variety of interactive activities focusing on music in different environments. Visitors can play a number of musical instruments, listen to the songs of whale and bird species and experiment with devices like an electrolarynx, a mechanical device used to help produce speech, or a hydrophone, an underwater microphone.

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Source: Douglas Jones, 352-273-1902, dsjones@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Alyssa Wang
Media contact:  Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

Elementary, middle and high school students in Florida who receive an ‘A’ or ‘S’ grade in science can present their latest report card for free admission to the Butterfly Rainforest with a paid regular price adult admission. Alachua County students receive their next report cards Nov. 8.

The offer is valid until the next report cards are issued. A student receiving another ‘A’ or ‘S’ grade on their next report card would again qualify for the offer through the end of the following grading period.

” ‘A for Science’ is such a popular program that we decided it should not be limited to just a few counties,” said Jaret Daniels, Florida Museum assistant director of exhibits and public programs. “We want to showcase the importance of science statewide, encourage students to do well in school and reward them for receiving outstanding grades.”

The program was available to students in Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam and Union counties in 2010.

The Butterfly Rainforest is a 6,400-square-foot, lush, tropical garden with hundreds of living butterflies from around the world, including 60 to 80 different species at any given time.

Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This offer has no cash value and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $10.50 for adults ($9 Fla. residents) and $6 for ages 3-17.

For more information about this promotion or other museum events, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.

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Source: Jaret Daniels, 352-273-2022, jdaniels@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Leeann Bright
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History is now offering free docent-guided tours of the permanent exhibit, “Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land. The 20 minute tours begin at 2:45 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month, beginning Feb. 19.

“We really hope the tours will enrich the visitor experience at the museum,” said Florida Museum education assistant Jeanette Carlisle. “Our goal is to make this an ongoing and permanent program.”

The tours are guided by museum docents with exhibit training. Groups are limited to 12 people, and visitors who wish to participate should meet the docent tour guide in the central gallery in front of the mammoth five minutes prior to the tour.

“This is a great program and something we’ve been working on for a long time,” Carlisle said. “The docents love to give tours, and it’s one more way for our guests to enjoy the museum.”

Drawing upon the Florida Museum’s internationally acclaimed fossil collections, this award-winning exhibit describes the last 65 million years of Florida’s history. Walk through time beginning with the Eocene, when Florida was underwater, to the Pleistocene, when the first humans arrived 14,000 years ago.

More than 90 percent of the 500 fossils displayed in the exhibit are real and many were found within 100 miles of Gainesville. The exhibit also features 30 skeletons of Florida’s earliest mammals, including a 15-foot-tall ground sloth, bear dog, jaguar and peccary, a pig-like animal.

For more information visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fossilhall/ or call 352-846-2000.

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Source: Jeanette Carlisle, 352-273-2026, carlislej@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Logan Gerber
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

Photos available

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The fifth annual ButterflyFest at the Florida Museum of Natural History from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday features free, interactive presentations and activities the entire family will enjoy.

Visitors can listen to presentations about Project Butterfly WINGS, Honduran butterflies and moths, the Monarch Watch organization, worldwide honey bee decline and the migratory patterns of Monarchs. Gardening activities and wildflower walks as well as live butterfly releases will also be offered.

Younger visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, create their own pollinator costumes and participate in a “Pollinator Parade” through the museum. Non-profit organizations will also provide child-friendly activities.

The museum will host a butterfly-friendly plant sale and museum staff will be available to help visitors pick the perfect native nectar, host and accent plants for their gardens. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit.

Danscompany of Gainesville, Howard Bishop Middle School Band, Objects in Motion, the University of Florida juggling club and The Sedoctives, UF’s all-female a cappella group, will perform during the festival.

Winners of the photography contest will be announced Oct. 23. Winning photos are scheduled to run in the Oct. 24 edition of The Gainesville Sun, which sponsored the contest. Other ButterflyFest sponsors include Cox Communications and GRU.

Fee-based workshops, field trips and tours that require pre-registration are also available. Workshops include: “Painting Butterflies and Moths” with award-winning artist Mindy Lighthipe, “Monarch Tagging” with keynote speaker Chip R. Taylor, “Picture-Perfect Rainforest Photography,” “Advanced Butterfly Garden Design” and a “Butterfly Rearing Workshop.” Visitors can also participate in a fieldtrip to Paynes Prairie to explore native wildlife or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity.

The McGuire Center is the world’s largest Lepidoptera research and education facility and houses one of the world’s largest collections of butterflies and moths at more than 9 million specimens. Participants may register online at www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest or by calling 352-273-2062.

ButterflyFest is dedicated to increasing awareness of Florida’s butterflies as fun, fascinating ambassadors to the natural world. Presentations, arts and crafts, workshops, field trips and tours will promote inquiry and provide a call to action for the conservation and preservation of backyard wildlife and habitats.

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Writer: Leeann Bright
Media contact:  Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

ButterflyFest Activity Schedule
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 23 -24

Fri. Oct. 22

8-11 a.m. Water and Wildlife field trip (fee based)

1-3 p.m. & 3-5 p.m. Monarch tagging workshop (fee based)

Sat. Oct. 23

8:30-9:30 a.m. Butterflies Behind-the-Scenes Tour (fee based)

8:30-9:30 a.m. Picture Perfect – Rainforest Photography (fee based)

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pollinator Costume Creation

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ButterflyFest Craft

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Non-profit Organization Family Activities

10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Potted Butterfly Garden Activity

10:30-11 a.m. Pollinator Photography Contest Award Ceremony

11:30 a.m. – noon Butterfly Identification Bingo

11:30 a.m. Pollination Parade

12:30-1:15 p.m. Biodiversity of Butterflies and Moths of Honduras by McGuire Center Director Thomas Emmel and McGuire Center Lepidoptera Curator Jacqueline Miller

1-1:15 p.m. Live Butterfly Release

1:30 p.m. Objects in Motion (live performance)

1:30-2:30 p.m. Monarch Watch presentation by keynote speaker Chip Taylor

2 p.m. Pollination Parade

2:30-3 p.m. Butterfly Identification Bingo

2:30 p.m. Danscompany of Gainesville (live performance)

2:30-3:30 p.m. Advanced Butterfly Garden Design Workshop (fee based)

3:15-4 p.m. Worldwide Honeybee Decline presentation by Wayne “Chappie” McChesney

3:30 -3:45 p.m. Live Butterfly Release

Wildflower walks occur every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and last for 20 minutes

Sunday Oct. 24

8:30-9:30 a.m. Butterflies Behind-the-Scenes Tour (fee based)

8:30-9:30 a.m. Picture Perfect – Rainforest Photography (fee based)

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pollinator Costume Creation

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ButterflyFest Craft

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Non-profit Organization Family Activities

10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Potted Butterfly Garden Activity

11:30 a.m. – noon Butterfly Identification Bingo

11:30 a.m. Pollination Parade

12:30-12:45 p.m. Live Butterfly Release

1 p.m. Sedoctives (live performance)

1:30-2:30 p.m. Migratory Patterns of the Monarch presentation by Chip Taylor

2 p.m. Pollination Parade

2:30-3:30 p.m. Butterfly Rearing Workshop (fee based)

2:30-3:00 p.m. Butterfly Identification Bingo

3 p.m. Howard Bishop Middle School Band (live performance)

3:30-3:45 p.m. Live Butterfly Release

Wildflower walks occur every hour on the hour from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. and last for 20 minutes.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gardening enthusiasts now have an extra day to purchase butterfly-friendly plants during the Florida Museum of Natural History’s weekend sales.

The museum recently expanded its sale to include Fridays due to popular demand and to help gardeners prepare for the first ButterflyFest Gardening Contest.

“The plant sales have been extremely popular,” said Butterfly Rainforest assistant manager Jeff Hansen. “We decided to extend the plant sales an extra day for museum visitors looking to add a little more color to their gardens.”

Plant sale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. All proceeds benefit the Florida Museum’s Butterfly Rainforest exhibit.

The museum’s fifth-annual ButterflyFest on Oct. 23-24 features a new gardening contest. Entries must be submitted between Aug. 23 and Sept. 10. More information is available online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest/garden_contest.htm.

The museum plant sale features 10 plants each week, including native, nectar, host and accent species. Up to 10 additional unannounced species also are available. The list of plants offered each week is available online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/plant_list.htm.

The plant sale is located near the museum’s front entrance. Prices begin at $3 for a 4″ pot and most 1-gallon pots are $6. Larger sizes are also available ranging from $12 to $18 for a 3-gallon pot.

For more information call 352-273-2043.

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Source: Jeff Hansen, 352-273-1898, jhansen@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Patti Nunez
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Join the fun with the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art during the 40th anniversary of Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24.

Located in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza, this year’s celebration includes demonstrations and activities focused on the environment and conservation. The Alachua County environmental protection department will hold a rain barrel sale outside the museums. These barrels help homeowners collect water for reuse on their property. Also, visit with local conservation groups at both museums and learn how easy it is to help preserve the planet.

At the Florida Museum of Natural History visitors may create a bird seed mosaic and view the newest Galleria exhibit, “Life on the Edge: The Story of Florida’s Nature Coast,” by Eric Zamora. Zamora uses the visual power of photography to share the story of Florida’s Nature Coast, which stretches 240 miles from St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge near Tallahassee to Northern Pasco County. Development pressure in the area has increased tremendously in recent years with the proposal of a limestone mine, nuclear power plant, two large resorts and an expressway.

Appreciate the environment and join the Harn Museum of Art for outdoor painting activities for children and families, as well as demonstrations by plein air artists Frank Barone, Aliye Cullu, Tim Malles and Sam Saxon. The Harn will also offer docent-led tours of works in the museum focused on nature. The Kanapaha Celtic Trio will play traditional Celtic music from Ireland and Scotland, celebrating nature and love for the land.

At the Harn Museum, visitors may also learn about the important role of honey bees in “Apiary Investigations.” This art installation explores the intersection between natural history, science and art, using the beehive and the honey bee as a metaphor to examine human behavior. Toward the end of the day, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a film about a beekeeper titled “Ulee’s Gold.”

In honor of this special event, the Florida Museum will expand its weekend plant sale to include more than 50 species of native and butterfly-friendly plants. This extended selection is available 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 – 4 p.m. Sunday and is a great opportunity to make a difference by gardening with plants perfect for local pollinators.

Admission to Earth Day activities is free. For more information visit www.harn.ufl.edu or www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000 or 352-392-9826.

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Writer: Patti Nunez
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu (Florida Museum of Natural History)
Tami Wroath, 352-392-9826, ext. 2116, twroath@harn.ufl.edu (Harn Museum of Art)

Earth Day Events Schedule
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24

Harn Museum of Art

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Docent-led tours of works focusing on nature for families and children

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Outdoor painting activity and demonstrations by plein air artists Frank Barone, Aliye Cullu, Tim Malles and Sam Saxon.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Art installation “Apiary Investigations” by Kelly Rogers

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Musical performance by the Kanapaha Celtic Trio

2 – 4 p.m.
Film “Ulee’s Gold”

Florida Museum of Natural History

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Butterfly Rainforest Plant Sale

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Create a bird seed mosaic

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rain Barrel Sale – Alachua County Environmental Protection Department

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Photography exhibit “Life on the Edge: The Story of Florida’s Nature Coast” by Eric Zamora

Community Participants located at both museums:
Alachua County Environmental Protection Department
Alachua County Office Waste Alternatives
Florida Organic Growers
Friends of Payne’s Prairie
Gainesville Regional Utilities
Keep Alachua County Beautiful
Lubee Bat Conservancy
Trashformations
Save the Frogs Day
Watershed Action Volunteers

Florida Museum of Natural History
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. – 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $9.50 for adults ($8 Fla. residents) and $5 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000.

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
The Harn Museum of Art is an integral part of the University of Florida. The museum’s permanent collection holds nearly 7,000 works, including African, Asian, modern and contemporary art and photography. The museum enhances the university’s activities and serves a culturally diverse audience through the exhibition of works of art and educational programming. Admission is free. Museum hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free on weekends. The Camellia Court Cafe is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

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Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Lauren Williams
PHOTOS AVAILABLE

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will host its 28th Annual Collectors Day from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Jan. 20. This free event is one of the Florida Museum’s most popular public programs.

Visitors may view a wide range of collections ranging from stamps and elephants to sports and war memorabilia, and speak with the more than 60 area collectors expected to attend. For more information on Collectors Day, call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277. A list of collectors available for media contact is available by request.

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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. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 2006 Florida Butterfly Festival photography contest rules are now available online. The entry fee is $10 per photo, with cash prizes awarded to the top five winners. Other winning entries and honorable mentions will be included in a 2008 calendar and displayed at the Florida Museum of Natural History during the 2006 festival Oct. 14-15. Entry deadline is Friday, Sept. 15. Complete rules and an entry form are available at www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest/photo_contest.htm.

The inaugural Florida Butterfly Festival will be held at the University of Florida Cultural Plaza and other area locations, including Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Morningside Nature Center, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo and the Thomas Center. The Florida Museum is planning the festival with several community partners, including the Arts Association of Alachua County, Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art.

The festival web site also includes an event schedule and information about travel, seminars, field trips, children’s activities and other events. Vendor and sponsor information will be added as it becomes available.

Festival visitors also may tour the Florida Museum’s Butterfly Rainforest exhibit and new butterfly wildflower demonstration garden, which the museum plans to open this year.

For more information on the festival, call the Florida Museum, (352) 846-2000, ext. 200 or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest/.

Media contact: Paul Ramey, (352) 846-2000, pramey@ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Looking for something the whole family can do this summer? The Florida Museum of Natural History will offer an interactive “Discovery Room” for guests of all ages from June 12- Aug. 13. The room is free and open every day until 4:30 p.m.

Activities include entertaining crafts, including creating creatures from Florida’s diverse ecosystems, hunts for museum treasures and exploration of a coral reef. Guests also may visit during the following scheduled program times for stories, puppets, museum exploration with Dr. Discovery and more!

Florida Museum 2006 Summer Discovery Room schedule:

Ecoart! — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Talking Tales — Tuesdays 10 a.m.
Green Earth Games — Thursdays, Saturdays 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Tree Musketeers Puppet Show — Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 3 p.m.
Dr. Discovery — Tuesdays, Fridays 3- 4 p.m.
Face Painting — Fridays 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

For more information, call (352) 846-2000 ext. 246 or visit the museum online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/discovery.htm.

Media contact: Paul Ramey, (352) 846-2000, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Lauren Williams