Biodiversity Month - Report 117

HMNH Celebrates Explore Your World! BioDiversity Month 2002

Number of participans: 13,200

Ms. Janis Sacco reports:

During the month of May, we featured a Smithsonian poster exhibit, created several new tours and scavenger hunts for the public with a biodiversity focus, created new permanent interpretation on endangered plant species, conducted hands-on guided activities and live-animal preesentations with a focus on biodiversity focused, held a Harvard-scientist lecture on amphibian declines, and provided visitors with IBOY literature on biodiversity. We promoted the exhibition on site with colorful signage (including the IBOY Logo) and a handout given to all visitors. The event was also promoted via a press release and as the cover story on the HMNH Program and Events Guide (which is mailed to thousands of members and friends of the museum). Approximately 13,000 people visited the museum in May and participated in biodiversity month activities. Approximately 200 more attended a truly excellent evening lecture on amphibian declines and the reception following the lecture.

Although not specifically part of our biodiversity month celebration at HMNH, we also hosted regional organizers and funders (including Bob Durand and E. O. Wilson) for the launch of Massachusetts Biodiversity Days 2002 (about 75 people). We also offered an Ocean Family Festival(hands-on activities about marine biodiversity) during the second Saturday in June, which was advertised as part of HMNH's bioDiversity celebration although it did not occur during the month of May. Ocean Family Festival attracted another 650 people, mostly families with children.