People usually visit zoos expecting to see animals up close, to learn about them from displays, and maybe even to buy items from the gift shops to commemorate their visits.
Usually.
Most would not expect to be able to put together puzzles about precipitation or recyclable items; to create pieces of a “community mosaic,” nor to make decisions at activity stations that will send them to a “clean” or “dirty” area, depending on whether they used water-savvy judgment or not.
These are the types of activities awaiting visitors starting this weekend at Woodland Park Zoo, as life-sized educational art moves into the home of larger-than-life animals. The Wyland Clean Water Tour Maze, which encompasses 1,200 square feet, is set up in the zoo’s Beech Grove. It can be accessed through the south entrance at 750 N. 50th St.
Wyland is a world-famous marine life artist who creates murals. Woodland Park Zoo chose to display his maze because his passion about environmentally friendly behavior matches that of the zoo staff.
The Clean Water Tour was “tested” at 11 West Coast locations, including Seattle’s Pacific Science Center, before being released on its own for use in aquariums and zoos. Zoo officials say the public can be assured Woodland Park’s staff will keep its eye out for other interactive ways to make visits more than just a typical day at the zoo.
“Bug Blast”: Seattle’s Burke Museum is going to the bugs.
On Sunday, kids and adults alike can visit the museum to marvel at the eighth annual “Bug Blast,” a celebration of creepy crawly critters of all types.
Events include displays of thousands of insects; bug quizzes, arts and crafts, face-painting and musical performances; Ant Cam, which captures live activity within an ant nest; seeing various insects from Woodland Park Zoo up close, and more.
Burke’s curator of arachnids, Ron Crawford, says in his experience, most people, not just kids, who come to the event already are generally interested in bugs, but nonetheless, some creatures seem to generate more popularity.
“There’s always a line to see the giant hissing cockroaches from the zoo,” he said.
At least two different bug zoos will be represented, in addition to the Burke’s vast collection of preserved specimens.
Those who have their own bug collections can bring them in to learn more from Scarabs: The Bug Society experts. The society was founded in 1937, and it performs today as a club for everyone interested in bugs, professionals as well as the general public.
Burke Museum photos
RIGHT: A young visitor gets a closer view at a previous “Bug Blast.”
FAR RIGHT: Butterflies and other insects are part of Burke’s collection.
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