The Nature Museum and The Windham Foundation Announce Celebratory Event in Honor of Earth Day

GRAFTON, VT - The Nature Museum and The Windham Foundation announce a celebratory event in honor of Earth Day. This special occasion will take place on Saturday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Phelps Barn, The Grafton Inn, in Grafton, Vermont. Musician and singer Will Danforth will get the show started with songs of nature before introducing the main event. Then enjoy a multi-media presentation with renowned wildlife expert Mike Clough complete with live wild animal guests from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum. Discover how the history of farming and forestry has changed the landscape and the species that live on it. Stick around to enjoy a piece of Earth Day cake with Mike Clough, who will stay to answer questions. Then take a short walk to explore and enjoy The Nature Museum's exhibits and interactive displays.

"We're thrilled that The Windham Foundation is our sponsor for this Earth Day Celebration. The Windham Foundation's dedication to preserving the vitality of our rural communities directly aligns with our mission to engage and enlighten audiences of all ages, and inspire stewardship of our natural world," explains Laurie Danforth, President of the Board of The Nature Museum.

The Nature Museum is dedicated to providing programs and speakers for adults related to biology, earth science and natural history. Most importantly, the museum fosters discovery-learning programs to engage youth in the wonders of nature to develop the next generation of earth stewards. As such, the museum is delighted to offer free admission to this event to youth aged 6 and up. This program is not recommended for children younger than 6.

Pre-register at www.nature-museum.org and let us know how many kids will accompany you. Tickets for adults will be $8 in advance/$10 at the door, kids 6 and up free. This will be a popular event; participants are encouraged to register in advance to guarantee their spots. For more information, visit www.nature-museum.org or call 802-843-2111. The Phelps Barn at Grafton Inn is located at 92 Main Street and The Nature Museum is located at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton, VT.

In honor of Earth Day, The Nature Museum will be open to the public during Spring Break from Tuesday, April 18, through Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Museum's Environmental Educator at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day for eco-education, hands-on activities, nature games and creative art activities.

Born in Windsor, VT, Michael Clough has spent his entire life enjoying and exploring the wild places of New England. Since receiving his B.S. in environmental science with a concentration in biology from Long Island University's Southampton College, Mike has worked with some of the Northeast's premiere conservation and environmental education groups to create live animal experiences for the public. His many programs feature a wide range of Vermont wildlife including birds of prey, owls, frogs, snakes, and more. Mike leads adult, family, and youth nature workshops in many towns in Southern Vermont through his work with the Four Winds Nature Institute. He is also the Assistant Director of Southern Vermont Natural History Museum.

The Nature Museum is a regional resource for nature, science and environmental education in Southern Vermont. Not only a museum, it also provides hands-on exhibits, delivers natural history and science information, creates experiences that engage and enlighten audiences, and inspires stewardship of the natural world through programming and events for all ages. For more information, please visit facebook.com/naturemuseumatgrafton, [email protected] or www.nature-museum.org. The Nature Museum is located at 186 Townshend Road in Grafton, Vermont, 802-843-2111.