MEDIA CONTACT:
Sally Anne Giedrys
Communications Manager
sgiedrys@ecotarium.org
(508) 929-2738
(WORCESTER, MA)&emdash; Touch the footprints of endangered animals. Peer at the layers of life in a giant tropical tree. Select the sustainably harvested "catch of the day" at a fish market. Visitors can do all this and more at Biodiversity 911: Saving Life on Earth&emdash; a lively and interactive nationally traveling exhibit at the EcoTarium from October 11 to December 31, 2003.
What's "biodiversity"? It's the word scientists use to describe the astonishing variety of plant and animal life on Earth&emdash; from ants to orchids to savannas. In this exciting, hands-on exhibit, visitors will discover why "biodiversity" is so important and what is threatening this rich diversity of plant and animal life&emdash; here in New England and across the globe. They'll also walk away with new ideas about what each of us can do to help.
"The diversity and complexity of life is amazing&endash; from the rainforests to our own backyards," says Alexander Goldowsky, director of programs and exhibits at the EcoTarium. "Biodiversity loss is a global issue, and the solutions also need to reach from the rainforests back to our own communities. It is an issue of stewardship and the planet we want to leave for future generations."
Judy Braus, director of education at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) explains the exhibit "is designed to make biodiversity come alive for visitors. Through science, humor and creativity, it tells the story of biodiversity&emdash; from highlighting the Earth's stunning diversity to helping visitors understand the urgency of biodiversity loss."
The exhibit's centerpiece is a short animated film on biodiversity produced by Aardman, the creators of Wallace and Grommit and the feature film Chicken Run. The film takes visitors into a hospital emergency room where live doctors are treating clay animation creatures for ailments caused by such diverse culprits as overfishing, deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the illegal wildlife trade.
From the theater, visitors can follow a path through the museum into supporting exhibit areas centered around specific issues from the film, including forests, fisheries and the illegal wildlife trade. Each area includes hands-on, interactive components&emdash; from computer games to cartoons&emdash; and offers "prescriptions for the future" that describe ways that people around the world are making a difference.
An interactive web site based on Biodiversity 911 includes online activities and additional information and resources on topics explored in the exhibit. Visit www.ecotarium.org to link to the exhibit site.
Major local support for this exhibit is provided by FLEXcon. Additional support is provided by Mr. annd Mrs. Sturtevant Hobbs.
Biodiversity 911: Saving Life on Earth was developed by World Wildlife Fund in partnership with Jeff Kennedy Associates, Inc., Aardman, and the Institute for Learning Innovation. The National Science Foundation and the Mars Foundation provided major funding. Additional support was provided by the Eastman Kodak Company, the Evan Frankel Foundation and the American Honda Foundation. The Biodiversity 911 tour is managed by the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated.
EcoTarium, a center for environmental exploration, offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, nature trails, ponds, an award-winning meadow habitat, a planetarium and a narrow-gauge railroad. The center, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Open selected Monday holidays. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-16. The EcoTarium is 45 minutes from Boston, located 10 minutes from the Mass Turnpike. Free parking is available.