UA Museum of Natural History to Host River Walk Exhibit, Related Activities

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History in Smith Hall will host the photographic exhibit, River Walk: A Journey Toward the Future of Southern Rivers, Jan. 18-May 5.

Featuring full-color photographs by Beth Maynor Young and a strong educational message by freelance journalist Jennifer Greer, the exhibit explores the animals, plants, and habitats of aquatic areas and presents biodiversity, watershed management, and other water resource issues.

Young, founder of Cahaba River Publishing, and former staff photographer for the Southern Progress Corp., publisher of Southern Living magazine, has dedicated her work to creating an identity of the South’s remnant wild places.

“When you’re in a river’s presence,” said Young, “something begins to happen-a place settles on you in a deeper way, slowly, through the sounds of frogs, katydids in the trees at night, and turtles splashing in the water. The beauty and balance reflected in the life of the river become real.”

From the canyon streams and waterfalls of the Southern Appalachians to the deltas and swamps of the Coastal Plain, River Walk identifies and illustrates the fragility, beauty, and sacredness of Southern rivers, and provides steps for protecting waters for future generations.

With the exhibit, the museum will offer related programs such as canoeing, white water rafting, fly-fishing, and riverboat cruising. For details, phone 205/348-9473. Operating hours for The UA Museum of Natural History are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., and 1-4:30 p.m. Sun. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and children.

River Walk is organized by the Anniston Museum of Natural History, through the contributions of the Alabama Power Foundation; Jemison Investment Co. Inc.; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Washington D.C.; Alagasco; BellSouth; and the Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board. Through a contribution from Alagasco, River Walk will travel to museums and institutions throughout the Southeast.