FEATURED EXHIBIT

Images of the Irreplaceable Wild

at the University Museum

Fragile Nature
August 29–October 24, 2009

Touch the Sky
November 2–December 23, 2009

Experience the beauty of our natural world with Images of the Irreplaceable Wild, featuring two incredible photography exhibits this fall at the University Museum.

Photo by Joel Sartore

Open Aug. 29–Oct. 24, Fragile Nature is a breathtaking view of the most fearsome, delicate, and endangered species of our world through the lens of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. Sartore takes the visitor on assignment with the world's greatest magazine. From jaguars and macaws to gray wolves and grizzly bears, it's a natural journey across much of North and South America. In Sartore's own words, you'll hear the stories behind the photos and discover why some species become endangered, what their chances are for recovery, and most importantly, what we can do to help.

Photo by Jim Brandenburg

On display Nov. 2–Dec. 23, the photography of Jim Brandenburg is featured in Touch the Sky, a tribute to the beautiful vistas and iconic creatures of the American prairie. World-renowned nature photographer Brandenburg captures the wide-open magnificence of the prairie, as well as its often over-looked intricate details. In panoramic images, we see great herds of bison as well as the lowly grasshopper, dragonfly, and dove. Lightning storms and wildfire rage across the landscape, while delicate blossoms sway in the breeze, and yellow cottonwood leaves rest on new fallen snow. Through these photos, Brandenburg reveals the cycles of life with both precision and aesthetic grace.

Learn more about these exhibits

AUGUST

One Wild Afternoon
Saturday, August 29
At the University Museum

Kick off the opening of our fall exhibit with two wild programs.
1:30 pm
Join Linda Nebbe, of the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, for Living Through the Windows. Nebbe will share stories of the amazing animals she has rehabilitated and introduce you to some of her current friends including a Grey Horned Owl, a Bard Owl and a bat. This program is free and open to the public. Animal crackers will be served!

3–4:30 pm
Explore UNI’s Tallgrass prairie with a Photography Workshop taught by photojournalist Bill Witt. Bring your own camera and learn how to capture wildlife in its native habitat. Cost is $10 for Friends members and $12 for non-members. Class size is limited. Call (319) 273-2188 to register by Friday, Aug. 28.

SEPTEMBER

At Close Range
Saturday, September 12, 1:30 pm
At the University Museum

Enjoy this unique documentary about National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. Shooting in some of the most exotic locales on earth, often in the most wretched conditions, Sartore often wonders if he has the best job in the world or the worst. At Close Range with National Geographic reminds us of where we fit in the cosmos, and what we owe to the next generation of all the earth's inhabitants.

Fall Prairie Walk
Tuesday, September 15, 5 pm
At the University Museum

Join the staff from Black Hawk County Conservation Board for a two-hour walk through one of UNI’s prairies. Bring a camera or come
to learn more about our beautiful native plants of the Iowa grasslands and their importance to wildlife. Cost is $3 per person. Register at (319) 273-2188 by Mon., Sept. 14.

Family Fun Day: A Walk on the Wild Side
Saturday, September 19, 9 am–noon
At the University Museum

Make cat masks with New York artist and fashion designer Cat Chow, explore with an animal scavenger hunt, touch animal fur, view beautiful photographs, and enjoy making animal crafts. This event is free and open to the public. Call (319) 273-2188 to register by Tuesday, Sept. 15.

ACRE* event
Apples, Cheese, Bees and More - Potluck Picnic & Program
Saturday, September 19, 5:30 pm
At Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls

Popcorn, cheese, honey and apples make great companions. At this fall festival, sample and purchase apples from local orchards, buy local popcorn and honey, help make apple cider, learn to make cheese from Cedar Falls resident Jack Yates and enjoy a tribute to apples by improv troupe "Half Masted."

* Now through November 2009 the Cedar Falls Annual Read for the Environment (ACRE) has planned several community events for all ages. This year, ACRE partners will share the joys of local foods from community gardens to apple cider. Books about growing food, the environment and sustainability will be featured at each event. Please join ACRE at one or all of our potluck picnics. Bring a hearty appetite, a dish to share (local or regional food encouraged) and tableware. For more information, visit http://www.cedarfallspubliclibrary.org/acre.html.

Monarch Tagging and Net Making
Saturday, September 22, 4 pm–sundown
At the University Museum

See a butterfly up close with a net that you have made yourself. Tag a monarch and then enter the University Museum to learn more about butterflies with books, crafts, and other hands-on activities. Participate for an hour or stay the whole time. Join the Black Hawk County Conservation Board staff in cooperation with UNI Museums for an evening full of butterflies and net making. Cost is $7 per person. Call (319) 273-2188 to register by Monday, Sept. 21.

Capturing Iowa’s Seasons
Tuesday, September 29, 7 pm
At the University Museum
Listen as Iowa nature photographer Ty Smedes discusses his book, Capturing Iowa's Seasons. From wild flowers to migrating song birds, view some of his most beautiful images featuring the common and uncommon visitors to Iowa's landscape throughout the year. Free and open to the public.

OCTOBER

Iowa's Endangered Wood Turtles
Tuesday, October 20, 7 pm
At the University Museum

Meet one of Iowa's endangered species, the North American wood turtle. Jeff Tamplin, UNI associate professor of biology, will discuss the unique traits of the aquatic turtle and the many discoveries made through his research. In addition, view animals from the Biology Department's live display cases including turtles, snakes and an alligator! This event is free and open to the public.

Planet in Peril Film Series
CNN's Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin examine the environmental conflicts between growing populations and natural resources.

Learn more at www.cnn.com/planetinperil

Saturday, Oct. 3, 1:30 pm
at the University Museum
Planet in Peril: Part 1
Total Run Time: 90 minutes

Saturday, Oct. 10, 1:30 pm
at the University Museum
Planet in Peril: Part 2
Total Run Time: 90 minutes

Saturday, Oct. 24, 1:30 pm
at the University Museum
Planet in Peril: Battle Lines
Total Run Time: 120 minutes

NOVEMBER

An Evening with Bill Witt
Tuesday, November 3, 7 pm
At the University Museum

Bill Witt has been photographing Iowa's wild places for more than
30 years, and the result is Enchanted by Prairie, a collection of images that revel in the beauty and diversity of Iowa's prairie remnants. Join Witt for a book signing and discussion of his work. Free and open to the public.

America’s Lost Landscape
Tuesday, November 10, 7 pm
At the University Museum
Join Daryl Smith, executive producer of the film and director of UNI's Tallgrass Prairie Center, for a brief introduction and screening of America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie. The film examines the rich and complex story of one of the most astonishing natural alterations in human history. It also highlights prairie preservation efforts and the prairie ecosystem as a model for sustainable agriculture.

Bucks From Books to benefit UNI Museums
Saturday, November 14
At University Book & Supply, B. Dalton and Waterloo Barnes & Noble
The University of Northern Iowa Museums, along with University Book & Supply, B. Dalton, and the Waterloo Barnes & Noble book store, will host Bucks From Books, a fundraiser to benefit the UNI Museums.
Shoppers may participate during regular store hours at each location by presenting a UNI Museums' bookmark voucher at the time of purchase or by mentioning the UNI Museums to cashier.

A percentage of the purchase price will be donated to the UNI Museums and put toward the purchase of an exhibit sound system. All book sales are eligible for inclusion, and at Barnes & Noble and B. Dalton, all sales, with the exception of memberships and gift cards, are included in the fundraising effort.

DECEMBER

An Old-Fashioned Schoolhouse Christmas
Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30-8 pm
At Marshall Center School
Focus on Christmas in the 1930s and enjoy caroling, homemade crafts, costumed interpretations, story time and a greeting from Santa Claus.  Museum staff will recreate an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse celebration. "This annual activity offers a return to Christmases past," states Jori Wade-Booth, public affairs coordinator for the UNI Museums.  "It's a terrific opportunity to enjoy a simpler time and to celebrate the seasons."

Attendance is free and open to the public.

FUTURE FEATURED EXHIBITS

Our World in Focus: The Irreplaceable Wild

Photography Contest and & Exhibit
Deadline: December 1, 2009

Amateur and professional photographers of all ages are invited to submit 8x10 photographs focusing on the flora and fauna of Iowa, the United States and the world. Deadline for contest entries is Tuesday, Dec. 1.  Each submission should include an 8x10" copy of the photo and an artist statement describing the subject matter. Prizes will be awarded and entries displayed at the opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 2 pm.

Learn more about the contest, including rules and entry form