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Seeking a secure peace with freedom and justice, built on world citizenship and effective global governance.
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 The Story in My Backyardopen your door open your eyes open a book The Annual Community Read for the Environment (ACRE) project promotes reading, writing, and concern about the environment. From February through May 2009, many Muscatine community events are planned for all ages. Please join in one, several, or all of the activities promoted through this brochure. For further information about any of the activities, please contact the listed sponsoring organization. Download a complete reading list of suggested titles for children, a complete list for adults, or stop by the Musser Public Library to pick them up. Activities Free and open to the public unless stated otherwise Animals Among Us February 2-March 23 Environmental Discovery Center, 3300 Cedar Street Contact: David Bakke, 563-264-5922 “Animals Among Us” presents beautiful animal-related photographs and personal essays studying the relationship between people and their contact with animals. The exhibit consists of 14 large, full-color banners highlighting some of the winning entries from adults and children across the state. “Animals Among Us” is on loan courtesy of the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Iowa. Photo/essay exhibit on display during regular business hours. Visiting Author Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m. Muscatine Community College Little Theater, 152 Colorado Street Contact: Paul Mayes, 563-288-6046 Author Cornelia Mutel will lead a conversation on “Writing About Nature.” Students, nature lovers, and aspiring writers are encouraged to attend! Ecologist Cornelia Mutel has written several natural history and environmental books, and is active in efforts to preserve Iowa’s remaining natural areas. Her books have been instrumental in focusing attention on restoration of western Iowa’s unique ecological features and used extensively for restoring Iowa’s woodlands and prairies. The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa is a comprehensive environmental history of Iowa. Storytime: Story in My Backyard Regular Storytime sessions during the months of March and April Musser Public Library, 304 Iowa Avenue Contact: Library Information Desk, 563-263-3065 Preschool Storytime at the Musser Library, targeted at children ages 3-6, meets on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in the Children’s Department at 10:30 a.m. Storytime features songs, finger plays, stories, and fun activities to encourage early literacy and a love of learning. Topics and Dates: March 4 & 5 Spring Flowers March 11 & 12 My Spring Robin March 18 & 19 Mud, Mud, Mud March 25 & 26 Creepy Crawlies April 8 See and Feel Iowa Wildlife, with Sarah Myers April 15 How Do Our Clothes Come From Nature, with Rachel Myers April 16 Trees, with Sarah and Anna Brooks April 22 & 23 What Color Is a Tomato? April 29 & 30 Bilingual Puppet Show: The Story in My Backyard/El Cuento en Mi Patio Earth Day Celebration Friday, April 17, 4:00-7:00 p.m. Pearl City Station, Muscatine Riverfront Contact: Laura Liegois, Solid Waste Manager, 563-263-9689 A fun evening of activities for all ages. Come and see what the city of Muscatine is doing for the environment, along with county agencies, industries, and businesses in Muscatine. Creating Your Story Saturday, April 18, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Environmental Discovery Center, 3300 Cedar Street Contact: David Bakke, 563-264-5922 Family program led by author and Department of Natural Resources district forester Mark Vitosh along with Muscatine County naturalist David Bakke. Ideas for creating a family book will be shared. Participants are encouraged to bring cameras and dress for planting trees and enjoying the outdoors. Citywide Clean Up April 18-24 Your backyard! Contact: Laura Liegois Solid Waste Manager, 563-263-9689 Join the middle school students in Muscatine during citywide clean up! Groups from Central and West Middle Schools are teaming up to clean our community. You and your family can help by picking up trash around your own backyard and neighborhood. Spring Field Trips to the Learning Center Theme: Story in My Backyard Environmental Discovery Center, 3300 Cedar Street Contact: David Bakke, 563-264-5922 Visiting Author Wednesday, May 6 Musser Public Library, 304 Iowa Avenue 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., presentations for young (PK-3) children Contact: Library Information Desk, 263-3065 “Prairies and Woodlands: Our Natural World,” presentation by author/artist Claudia McGehee Using A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet and A Woodlands Counting Book as a launching pad, Claudia will introduce two specific habitats common historically and currently to the Midwest. Students will learn hands-on about plants in their environments by sample specimens Claudia will share. Through large interactive murals, the children help “build” a prairie and woodland and learn important components of each. The author will also be presenting to CAMP kids at 4:15 p.m. Reading, Any Day...Every Day Read to your children, grandchildren, and other children in your life—and explore nature with them, too! Suggested Titles for Children Agatha’s Feather Bed, by Carmen Agra Deedy Home, by Jeannie Baker Someday a Tree, by Eve Bunting A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet, by Claudia McGehee The Forest Where Ashley Lives, by Mark A. Vitosh and Ashley L. Vitosh Download a complete list of suggested book titles for children, and a list for adults, or stop by the Musser Public Library to pick one up. Sponsoring Organizations Center for Afterschool and Morning Programs (CAMP) Center for Energy and Environment Education, University of Northern Iowa Muscatine Books & More Muscatine Community College Muscatine Community School District Muscatine County Conservation Muscatine Recycling Center and Transfer Station Musser Public Library The Stanley Foundation Supporters Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program |
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Stanley Foundation events, talks, video reports, and segments from our 