Natural exploration, surprises and fun for the whole family from May 16 to 24
From May 16 to 24, 2009, nature takes over the ROM with an exciting line-up of events, activities and programs for all ages related to nature and sustainable living. Nature Week begins with the eagerly anticipated opening of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity on May 16, the Royal Ontario Museum’s new permanent gallery devoted to exploring and protecting life on Earth. Throughout Nature Week, the ROM is pleased to offer programs and activities related to the latest scientific research, news and issues concerning life on Earth, and to align with like-minded organizations focused on increasing awareness of biodiversity issues both globally and locally.
“Nature Week is a showcase of the ROM’s long standing focus on Natural History collections and research - a primary mandate of the Museum,” said William Thorsell, Director and CEO of the ROM. “Our staff curators are actively involved in the study of species globally through their ongoing fieldwork and research. The new Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is a wonderful complement to existing Natural History galleries and programs, further helping to increase understanding of our planet’s past and future.”
During Nature Week the ROM will be buzzing with activity both inside and outside on its Bloor Street Plaza. On May 19, The ROM presents How to Save the World, an evening of stimulating panel discussion and debate featuring three experts with very differing points of view. Panelists Thomas Homer-Dixon - a scholar, Gregg Easterbrook - a journalist and Terry Anderson - the head of an economic think-tank participate in this look at the current state of the environment and proposed policies to protect the Earth. Mark Kingwell, a philosopher and professor at the University of Toronto, moderates.
Following the debate, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) will participate in Candles of Hope: Local Species at Risk, an event designed to raise awareness of endangered species in Ontario. Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting our biodiversity. Global extinction issues are widely recognized, however many people don’t realize how great this issue is close to home and what they can do to help.
Ontario’s Endangered Species Act is approaching its one-year anniversary. With passage of the act, Ontario became a North American leader in species at risk protection and recovery. Native plants and animals that are at risk of extinction or disappearing from the province are species at risk in Ontario.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading land conservation organization. With more of Canada’s species at risk than any other province, there is an urgency to protect Ontario’s rare species and threatened ecosystems. Since 1962, NCC has helped to protect more than 125,000 acres (50,000 hectares) of Ontario’s most precious places, securing a future for species at risk.
FLAP was the first organization in the world to address the issue of bird collisions with buildings. Since 1993, FLAP volunteers have picked up over 44,000 birds from 162 species in the Toronto region - 40 percent have survived and were released back into the wild. FLAP has developed leading-edge programs and policies that address the issue at the source. Of the 162 bird species FLAP volunteers have recovered, 17 are national and/or provincial species-at-risk. Many of the birds displayed in the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity were donated through FLAP.
From May 19-21, Royal Botanical Gardens will unveil a living installation on the ROM’s Bloor Street Plaza, focusing on helping the public learn more about hands-on approaches to sustainable biodiversity. Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the largest in the world. RBG is a biodiversity hotspot and is home to 25 percent of our nation’s wild plant species. Through its recently unveiled Canadian Institute for Sustainable Biodiversity, RBG will enhance human well-being, combat the effects of climate change and promote sustainable biodiversity by providing Canadians with leading-edge, practical, science-based advice.
On Friday May 22, Sheba, Bowmanville Zoo’s resident African elephant, makes a rare appearance at the ROM in honour of the United Nations' International Day for Biological Diversity. Sheba’s friends, including a Grant zebra and Amur tiger, will join this special guest appearance. Bowmanville Zoo is North American’s oldest private zoo, established in 1919. Its principle focus is on ongoing efforts to educate and instill environmental stewardship ethics in visitors to the zoo. Bowmanville Zoo is also one of the largest suppliers of trained animals for the feature film and television industry, bringing the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation to its animal programming.
As part of the Schad Gallery, ROM staff offer programs and activities related to the latest scientific research, news and issues concerning life on Earth. These educational and interactive presentations make use of touchable specimens, hands-on activities, experiments and demonstrations to engage visitors of all ages with the wonders of the natural world. Activities include Exploring Coral Reefs, Insect Insights and Partners in Protection: Invasive Species (see full schedule below).
The ROM is also pleased to offer Conversations with Curators, an opportunity to hear first-hand about current research and field work from members of the museum’s Curatorial team.
NATURE WEEK SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Public opening of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
10:00 am to 5:30 pm
The new permanent Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is devoted to exploring our world’s biodiversity and the numerous factors affecting its conservation and survival. This innovative and interactive gallery combines seven ecosystem experiences, approximately 2,500 specimens and the Earth Rangers Studio featuring live animal ambassadors to convey an important message about the stunning variety of life on Earth, the interconnectedness of nature’s amazing web, and the ability that each of us has to care for the environment.
SATURDAY, MAY 16 & SUNDAY, MAY 17
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
As part of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, Earth Rangers’ Power of One show, presented by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, is a 15-minute multimedia experience that features live animal ambassadors, including a lemur, snowy owl, serval cat and an American kestrel.
ROMKids Weekends
Rotunda, Level 1 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Visit a wildlife-inspired hands-on activity area. Families can explore the rainforest as a giant sloth, assemble a habitat puzzle and even make a colourful tree frog finger puppet to take home.
MONDAY, MAY 18
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
See Description listed for May 16 & 17
ROMKids Weekends
Rotunda, Level 1 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
See Description listed for May 16 & 17
TUESDAY, MAY 19
Exploring Coral Reefs
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Visitors learn about the myriad of fascinating creatures that live in ROM live coral reef ecosystem and issues related to their conservation.
How to Save the World
Samuel Hall Currelly Gallery - 7:00 to 8:00 pm
The ROM presents an evening of stimulating panel discussion and debate featuring three experts with very differing points of view. Panelists include Thomas Homer-Dixon - a scholar, Gregg Easterbrook - a journalist and Terry Anderson - the head of an economic think-tank. Moderator Mark Kingwell is a philosopher and professor at the University of Toronto. Topics include the current state of the environment and the best ways and policies to protect the Earth. Admission is free and seating is on a first come, first served basis.
Candles of Hope – Local Species at Risk
ROM Bloor Street Plaza - 8:00 to 9:30 pm
Join the ROM, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) for a candlelight event to raise awareness of local species at risk. Light a candle in support of a local endangered species and learn about how each of us to can do a little more to preserve Ontario’s wildlife.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Royal Botanical Gardens Living Installation
ROM Bloor Street Plaza – All Day
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)unveils a living installation on the ROM’s Bloor Street Plaza representing global biodiversity. Visit and learn more about hands-on approaches to sustainable biodiversity. RBG develops and promotes public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and nature.
Trees for Toronto **MEDIA ONLY EVENT**
Queen’s Park - 10:30 am
The ROM is delighted to unveil Trees for Toronto, a collaborative planting and identification project with the City of Toronto to renew the urban forest in Queen’s Park, provide interpretive signage, tree species plaques and a website dedicated to the trees of Queen’s Park.
Conversations with Curators: The Making of an Iconic Specimen at the ROM: the story of Bull, the White Rhino - Judith Eger
RBC Glass Room - 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Hear first hand the story of the Schad’s Gallery’s iconic White Rhino exhibit. Judith Eger is Senior Curator of Mammalogy and Deputy Head of the Department of Natural History at the ROM. She has worked at the ROM since the fall of 1968, completing two graduate degrees in the early part of her career. Her current research focuses on the systematics and biogeography of the bats of southeast Asia.
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
As above
THURSDAY, MAY 21
Insect Insights
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Insect Insights visitors examine specimens to glean engrossing facts about insects and other arthropods, such as the differences between insects and spiders, moths and butterflies, and why insects are so important to a healthy planet.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Global Biodiversity Up Close - Elephant at the ROM!
ROM Bloor Street Plaza – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Bowmanville Zoo’s own Sheba, an African elephant, and friends including a Grant zebra and Amur tiger will make a rare guest appearance on the ROM's Bloor Street Plaza.
Partners in Protection: Invasive Species
Earth Rangers Studio - 11:30 am to 3:00 pm
The ROM teams up with environmentally-conscious organizations to present green initiatives taking place in our communities. As today is the UN’s International Day for Biological Diversity with this year’s theme being “Invasive Species”, this important topic will be addressed.
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio 4:00 to 9:00 pm
Doors Open Toronto Kick-off event
Royal Ontario Museum - 4:30 to 9:30 pm
This year’s Doors Open Toronto event kicks off at the ROM with free Museum admission all evening long.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
ROMKids Weekends
Rotunda, Level 1 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Earth Rangers’ Power of One shows
Earth Rangers Studio - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
ROMKids Weekends
Rotunda, Level 1 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Conversations with Curators: The Making of Schad Gallery of Biodiversity - Doug Currie
RBC Glass Room - 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Doug Currie, lead curator for the ROM's new Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, will talk about the creation of the ROM's newest gallery. “The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity represents the much-anticipated return of the Life Sciences collections to the ROM’s public spaces,” says Doug Currie, Curator of Entomology in the ROM’s Natural History department and the Schad Gallery’s lead curator. “The ROM’s curatorial team has been working diligently for two years to select the most spectacular specimens, the most compelling videos and the most fascinating information about our natural world. Visitors will walk away with a feeling of respect for our planet and a renewed sense of purpose to protect its biodiversity.”
ONGOING EVENTS
ROM Museum Store
Throughout Nature Week and beyond, the ROM Museum Store celebrates the opening of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity by offering a range of Canadian and globally sourced Earth-friendly products including giftware, jewellery, apparel, books and toys. This Sustainable Earth featured merchandise will be highlighted throughout the store.
ROM Restaurants
c5 Restaurant Lounge and Food Studio offer a variety of locally-sourced menu specials and Toronto community initiatives that will continue throughout the year. Beginning in May, Food Studio offers Home Cooked Specials featuring the chefs’ best family recipes. Green Recipes, with a featured soup, main course or dessert, will also be highlighted in Food Studio with recipes available on cards in the restaurant or online.
Green Gastronomy
Returning to c5 is the extremely popular Green Gastronomy program that pairs a celebrity Ontario chef, a selected regional farmer and vintner to create a superlative dinner and wine menu that reflects a sensitivity to local suppliers and to the land. On May 22, Green Gastronomy features Chef Donna Dooher of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. Anthony Walsh, Executive Chef at Canoe, creates a menu on June 19. For more information about c5 Restaurant visit www.c5restaurant.ca or www.rom.on.ca/dining_shopping/dining/crystal5.php.