Make a Splash with Wild in the Water at Charlotte Nature Museum
Saturday, August 20, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
August 12, 2011Charlotte, NC – Cool your heels in the wonders of water and learn about its living inhabitants, as Charlotte Nature Museum hosts its August Creature Feature: Wild in the Water on Saturday, August 20, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Carolina streams, ponds and lakes are the native home of a boundless array of plants and animals. Float on this cool fact – the Catawba River contains the most dams of any North Carolina river, at 244 miles long with seven man-made lakes. Learn about the ecological importance of our natural water reserves and the steps we can take to preserve them.
While exploring our waters, you may find a crayfish [Cambarus genus], which is a freshwater crustacean, or maybe a spiny softshell turtle [Apaone spinifera], which has a pointed snout and tough rubbery coating instead of bony plates on its back. Little guests can check out turtles and sliders on exhibit in the Museum’s Creature Cavern and learn what to do if they appear in your backyard. Charlotte Nature Museum’s baby American Alligator [Alligator mississippiensis] Snappy will show off his aquatic habitat, which mirrors the freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the southeastern United States. Saved from the brink of extinction, there are now believed to be more than one million alligators inhabiting the Southeast United States.
Story time will be a splash with titles including “Otters Under Water” by Jim Arnosky, “A House for Hermit Crab” by Eric Carle, “In the Small, Small Pond” by Denise Fleming and more. Dive into the puppet show “Don’t Make a Pet of Me” and stop by Trail’s End Store for special gift items including plush alligators, turtle figurines and frog tattoos, stickers and books.
Creature Features, presented by Earth Fare with support from The Guild of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum, are monthly special events and include crafts, puppet shows, storytelling and refreshments (while supplies last). Creature Feature activities are free with Museum admission. Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Members are free. Parking is free.
Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.
Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc.
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