[NMScience] May events at Natural History

[Morris, Tish, DCA]

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
May, 2009: Events, Collections Tours, Exhibit Opening, Lectures and June Trips

BioBlitz
Saturday, May 2nd 
Join us at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park on Saturday, May 2nd between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. for New Mexico's first BioBlitz, a 24-hour inventory of all living organisms within a given area.  The goal of the BioBlitz will be to introduce the public to the diversity of life in the middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem and to engage all in citizen science.  Participate in small groups led by biologists to explore birds, mammals, insects, plants, lizards, turtles, and other living things in the field. Just come down; $3 day use fee at the Nature Center is the only cost. See the Museum’s website for more details.
http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/
Cosponsored by the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and The Nature Conservancy.


First Saturdays at the
Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
Saturday, May 2nd, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For the last year the SMNHC has been taking part in a forest thinning project that promotes biodiversity and forest health, while preventing catastrophic fires. Come see the results and learn how to keep your landscaping safe and healthy at 10 a.m., or just come to take a walk and bring a picnic lunch.  Call 505-281-5259.
http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/smnhc/index.html


Space Frontiers Exhibit Opening Friday, May 15, 2009

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the New Mexico Museum of Space History have come together to create the exhibit, Space Frontiers. From ancient Native American observatories at Chaco Canyon to modern day facilities such as the Very Large Array, New Mexico’s clear skies and high altitudes have provided an ideal location to study the heavens. New Mexicans may not realize what a major role our state has played in the understanding and exploration of space. But, from the experimental rocketry of Robert Goddard to Spaceport America, New Mexico’s open space and low population have provided ideal conditions for developing aero-space technologies. This exhibit showcases our state’s history and contributions to how we see and travel beyond our planet earth.

Voices in Science Lecture:
Five+ Years on Mars
Larry Crumpler, Ph.D.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009  7 p.m.

Dr. Crumpler has been a Scientist on the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission though its entire 5+ years on Mars.  Those two golf cart-sized rovers have traveled several miles across the surface, looking at the terrain on opposite sides of the planet. This is the first true geologic exploration of another planet. “Opportunity” has explored a large impact crater; “Spirit” has climbed a mountain. Both have shown there was water in Mars’ ancient geologic history. They have been working for over five years—way beyond the expectations of their designers, and now, we can actually track the Rovers as they move across the planet with new images from the HiRISE orbiter.  Dr. Crumpler has sold out the last two talks given this spring, so he is giving another talk to mark the opening of our new exhibit “Space Frontiers.”

Dr. Larry Crumpler is Research Curator at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.  He is a Scientist on the NASA-Mars Exploration Rover Mission and on HiRISE, part of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is now providing high-resolution images of Mars. He has been having a great time being a “field geologist” on another planet.  Come hear some of the stories of this groundbreaking expedition on Mars from our local expert.  

$7 adults, $6 members/seniors, $4 students. Purchase in advance to guarantee your seats at: www.naturalhistoryfoundation.org or at the door before the talk; doors open at 6:15 p.m.


Museum Collections Tours
Join us for behind-the-scenes tours of our Bioscience and Geoscience collections. Learn the importance of museum collections, how they are used, and how they are preserved and maintained. Free with Museum admission.
--Bioscience Tour
11 a.m. to noon, Fridays
May 15, June 19
Bioscience Tour: All children must be above age 7 and accompanied with an adult.

--Geoscience Tour
3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays
May 1, June 5
Geoscience Tour: All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information call 505-841-2892; Reservations welcome.

Voices in Science Lecture:
Chaco Astronomy
Anna Sofaer with Paul Pino
Wednesday, June 17, 2009  7 p.m.

High on a butte in New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon at summer solstice in 1977, Anna Sofaer encountered an astonishing phenomenon--a single shaft of light bisecting a spiral petroglyph, crafted long ago by the ancestors of today’s Pueblo people. Her recognition of its significance led to thirty years of research and recovery regarding astronomical expressions in the complex architecture and art of an ancient  people. These efforts changed forever our perception of the meaning and purpose of Chaco. Ms. Sofaer will present information from her new book documenting thirty years of research regarding the “Sun Dagger” site, lunar and solar alignments of the major Chaco buildings, and implications of the true function of the Great North Road. Chaco Astronomy is featured in the Museum’s new exhibit “Space Frontiers.”

Ms Sofaer will be joined by Paul Pino, Tribal Council Member and former War Chief of Laguna Pueblo. He will speak of his  insights about Puebloan heritage and its relationship to Chaco. Anna Sofaer is Director of the non-profit Solstice Project, that conducts research, preservation and education efforts on the astronomical expressions of the Chacoan Culture of the Southwest. She has worked with anthropologists, astronomers, geographers, and modern Pueblo people. She produced, directed and co-wrote “The Mystery of Chaco Canyon” shown on PBS and National Geographic channels.

$7 adults, $6 members/seniors, $4 students. Purchase in advance to guarantee your seats at: www.naturalhistoryfoundation.org or at the door before the talk; doors open at 6:15 p.m.


Museum Field Trips:
Tracking Mountain lions on the Ladder Ranch Trip
Led by Travis Perry, Ph.D.
Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2009 
Cost $470 per person 

Located near Hillsboro, New Mexico, the spectacular Ladder Ranch encompasses more than 250,000 acres and is home to a diversity of wildlife including mountain lions. Dr. Perry will provide in-the-field instruction on recognizing mountain lion sign, tracks, and cache sites. Learn about mountain lion behavior, their role in the ecosystem, and their interaction with humans. Participate in on-going research and use telemetry to track the collared mountain lions on the ranch. Join us on this exclusive experience limited to only 9 participants. Experience will include moderate hiking, in summer temperatures, up to one-half mile.

Travis Perry is an Associate Professor of Biology at Furman University in South Carolina. He is conducting cougar research on and around the extensive Ladder and Armendaris Ranches in south-central New Mexico. His research interests include evolutionary ecology and conservation biology. Mountain lion expert Harley Shaw, retired Arizona Game and Fish biologist and author of Soul Among Lions will also be joining us.

The field trip is limited to 9 people (minimum of 6).

Along with the unique field experience we will provide: transportation, snacks, lunch, dinner, breakfast and lodging at the Ladder Ranch Lodge, sack lunch on day two, and water jugs to refill your bottle. Bring your own money for dinner on our way home in Socorro.  A portion of the trip cost supports this research.

Check out Dr. Perry’s website at: http://furmancougar.blogspot.com/

Questions: Tish Morris at 841-2882, tish.morris at state.nm.us
Download registration materials at www.NMnaturalhistory.org or email programs.NMMNHS at state.nm.us


Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Project (BEMP) 
Field Trip to Alameda/Rio Grande Open Space
Kimi Scheerer
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – 8 a.m.-noon OR
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 – 8 a.m.-noon

Begun in 1997, the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP) collects scientific data along the middle Rio Grande valley from volunteers, mostly school children from over 40 schools. Join us for a morning discovering bosque biology and participate in this 12-year study of the health and ecology of our cottonwood forests. Participants will learn about how youth are actively involved in citizen science and how this data is used by the University of New Mexico, the Long Term Ecological Research network, and public land managers. Data will be collected from the BEMP sites near the San Juan Chama Drinking Water Diversion Dam and will include monthly precipitation, leaf litter biomass, and monitoring multiple groundwater table wells. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while discussing how climate change has affected the health of the Rio Grande bosque.

Kimi Scheerer is the Education Coordinator for BEMP and thoroughly enjoys “BEMPin’ it Up!” at schools and different community events around New Mexico! Ms. Scheerer relocated to Nuevo Mexico in 2006 after a career in marine biology at various nature centers, aquariums, ecological institutes and residential school programs, 

Costs: adults $25 public, $20 members; children $12 public, $10 members


Talks are at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-841-2800
Check our website at: www.NMnaturalhistory.org



Tish Morris
Senior Education Specialist
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
1801 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-841-2882
tish.morris at state.nm.us
www.NMnaturalhistory.org



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