Friday, June 27, 2014

Wildlife Adventures Week One - Water Wildlife!

Wow! We had an incredible first week of our summer WILDLIFE ADVENTURES program here at the Bean Museum. On Tuesday, we learned all about what a wetland is, why they are so important, and what kinds of plants and animals live there. Thanks to the incredible Education Collection here at the Bean, we could look at and touch all sorts of wetland specimens: muskrat, caiman, weasel, duck, mink, Woodhouse toad, rainbow trout, and so much more. Even some of our live animals came out for the experience, like Lemon the Pac-Man frog and Houdini the Ornate Box turtle!

After becoming wetland experts on Tuesday, we ventured to the Provo River Restoration Project in Wasatch County on Thursday to spot all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat. We saw everything from coyote prints to garter snakes, from mink to blackbirds! Check out the photographic proof of our adventure!


Can you spot the garter snake sunning himself on the rock?


A family of goslings for an afternoon swim.


A mink pup! He came right up to us to say hello, before his mother came to drag him off! (Probably to remind him not to talk to strangers!)


Cattails and a yellow-headed blackbird in the distance.


A caterpillar who tried to hitchhike with us. Smile little guy!


A beautiful day at the pond.


Josh was an excellent tour guide. Thanks Josh!


A beaver has done some damage to this log here. They have to always be chewing on something or their teeth would grow forever!

Stay tuned for more pictures and news about Wildlife Adventures for the rest of the summer! It's not too late to register for some of our later programs. Coming up....

The Bee's Knees - July 8 & 10
Reptile Retreat - July 15 & 17
Feathered Friends - July 29 & Aug 1
Cave Crawlers - Aug 5 & 7

For more summer fun, come and visit the Bean Museum, Monday through Saturday!

Hailey
Museum Educator

Friday, June 6, 2014

Conservation Kids vs. Toxic Waste Part 3: Recycle





Part 3 of Conservation Kids vs. Toxic Waste - Recycle


Don't forget to visit the Bean Museum Saturday, June 7th from 10AM - 5PM for our big opening event and on Monday, June 9th for our special family night from 5-9 PM.




We will have the following activities planned for both events:

  • Crafts for kids - decorate your own reusable shopping bag!
  • Take a photo with Superheros "Katy & Ken, the Conservation Kids"
  • Live Animal Shows (1 & 3 PM on Saturday, 6:30 & 7:30 PM on Monday)
  • T-shirt give-away - Post a picture to Facebook or Instagram that shows how you "Protect Your Planet!" You might be recycling, cleaning up your local park, using reusable grocery bags... get creative! Tag the museum (@beanmuseum on Instagram) and you will be able to pick up your free t-shirt at the opening event!!! Use the hashtag #conservationcontest
    • PICTURES MUST BE POSTED BY MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 6TH!!! Please indicate what size you'd like!


As always, you can request an outreach live animal show on our website. We are now also accepting requests for in-house live animal shows (after June 9th). We will still offer one free outreach on Monday nights for FHE (see website for details and restrictions) and our webcast live animal shows.

We are also offering Wildlife Adventures this summer for kids ages 6-12 with the following fun field trips:
Week 1            June 17 and 19          WATER WILDLIFE (Provo River & Utah Lake)
Week 2            June 24 and 26          ROCK ON (Stewart Falls or Cascade Springs)
Week 3            July 8 and 10             THE BEE'S KNEES (Local Beekeeper)
Week 4            July 15 and 17           REPTILE RETREAT (Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life)
Week 5            July 29 and Aug 1     FEATHERED FRIENDS (Tracy Aviary)
Week 6            Aug 5 and 7               CAVE CRAWLERS (Timpanogos Cave)


We hope to see you soon!