UA Museum Offers Natural History Activities with ‘River Walk’ Exhibit

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Museum of Natural History will offer a series of field trips, workshops, presentations, and school group activities to complement the photographic exhibit, River Walk, open through May 5 in Smith Hall on The University of Alabama campus.

Individual participants must be age 10 or older, unless accompanied by a registered adult. School group tours and activities are open to any age. For more information, telephone 205/348-9473.

Groups for most day trips will meet at UA’s Smith Hall at 8 a.m. and return by 4 p.m. Costs vary. Upcoming adventures include: Hurricane Creek Canoe, Feb. 16; Riverboat Dinner Cruise, April 11; Fly Fishing, April 20; Sipsey Fork Canoe, April 21; Ocoee River White Water Rafting, May 4-5; and Cahaba Lily Canoe, May 11.

Workshop participants will gather at Smith Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The cost is $16. Upcoming workshops include: Japanese Fish Printing, Jan. 26; and Fossil Molds and Casts, March 16.

Presentations are scheduled from 7-8 p.m. in 205 Smith Hall and are free of charge. Upcoming topics include: “Water Wars” by Brad McLane of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Feb. 21; “Discovery and Recovery of the Greene County Mosasaur” by James Lamb of North Carolina State University, March 4; “Protecting Southeastern Rivers” by Beth Maynor Young of Cahaba River Publishing, March 21; and “Anthropology of Fly Fishing” by Michael D. Coe of Yale University, April 19.

School groups who schedule Museum exhibit tours may also participate in hands-on activities, learning from Museum staff about pollution, erosion, and how sediments affect aquatic life. For additional instruction during the visit, teachers may use a “River Trunk” of books, videos, music, puppets, slides, and other aides.

Operating hours for The Alabama 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.