2/28/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Romney Hall, Public Affairs Coordinator, UNI Museums, (319) 273-2188
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

UNI Museums to host second installment of 'Planet Earth' Film Series March 15

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Museum is hosting select Saturday showings of the British Broadcasting Corporation's "Planet Earth" documentary film series through   May 31, at the University Museum, 3219 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls. All film installments are shown at 1:30 and 3 p.m. on the designated dates and are free and open to the public.

"Planet Earth" is a four-time Emmy® Award winner from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and relies on high-definition production techniques to capture never-before-seen animal behaviors and views of remote locations from around the globe. The second film in the Museum's "Planet Earth" series, "Deep Ocean," will be shown on Saturday, March 15. It explores the depths of the planet's oceans and the creatures that reside there, in waters that cover two-thirds of the Earth's surface, yet remain largely unknown. 

According to Romney Hall, public affairs coordinator for the UNI Museums, visitors will be introduced to some of the world's most spectacular species. "From bioluminescent light shows performed by squids to an examination of the blue whale, the largest animal to ever exist, 'Deep Ocean' includes incredible footage," says Hall.

Future installments include "Ice Worlds," showing March 29; "Great Plains," showing April 12; "Jungles," showing April 26; "Seasonal Forests," showing May 10; and "Caves," showing May 31. 

The "Planet Earth" film series is presented in connection with the University Museum's current featured exhibit, "Earth from Space," on display Feb. 16 through June 28. "Earth from Space"is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The exhibition has been made possible by Global Imagination, with additional support provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Women's Committee. The Smithsonian Community Grant program, funded by MetLife Foundation, and John Deere Waterloo Operations are also sponsors of these public programs.

For details on the "Planet Earth" film series and the "Earth from Space" exhibit, visit www.uni.edu/museum or call (319) 273-2188.

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