About the Martinsville-Henry County Community Nature Initiative

With the support of The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont, Virginia Museum of Natural History and its partners, Dr. Denny Casey and Tamara Poles developed a new nature and outdoor initiative entitled the Martinsville Henry County Community Nature Initiative (MHC CNI). The CNI will serve as a clearinghouse for environmental information, use nature as a way to stimulate learning, develop opportunities for quality family time in the outdoors, and position VMNH as a leader in environmental education. CNI will serve as a means to provide hands-on, real-world opportunities for children, educators, and families to increase appreciation for nature and as an effective means to better understand and address community environmental issues.

Click the above CNI logo for official website and to access your Earth Week Passport!

Earth Week 2010 Highlights

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Earth Week Celebration Conclusion

I would like to thank everyone who helped make the second annual Earth Week a Success! Each program was well attended and well planned. I have heard nothing but good things about the programs and I am so proud of everyone who helped. Below are some highlights from the week

THANK YOU!!!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Earth Week Celebration

The Earth Week Celebration has arrived!! This year’s celebration will start April 16 and end with the Earth Day Festival April 24, 2010 at Jack Dalton Park! Be sure to print off your passports and bring them to the listed events to be eligible for prizes the day of the Earth Day Festival! Download your passport here!

Get your passport stamped at the Earth Week activities you attend and turn in your passport at the Earth Day Festival to enter to win in the prizes! You have to attend at least 3 activities!

For additional activities and details please go to www.mhccni.org

Here is a list of activities

April 16:
No Light Night Hike at 8:00 pm at Gravely Nature Preserve. Pre-registration is required at 276 634 4185

April 17
Friends of Philpott Environmental Expo at Philpott Lake Park Overlook from 1 to 4pm Free for all ages!

April 18
Black Bears of Virginia, a hands-on experience in learning about bears! J. Frank Wilson Park, Stone Shelter, 7:30 to 8:30 (rain location Philpott Visitor Center) Free! Pre-registration is required at 276 634 4185 by April 16

April 19
Earth Day Earth Craft
located at Studio 107, 5:30 to 6:30 for Pre-K to K. Free!

April 20
Tuesday Morning Strolls
, meet at the Martinsville Parks and Recreation Office, 9:00am to 10:00am Free for all ages!

Earth Day Presentation
, (Learn about composting!) at Henry County Administration Building,! Main boardroom. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free for all Ages

Hike and Craft, collect materials for a craft while you take a beautiful hike at Philpott Lake. Philpott Dam Overlook, 5:00 to 6:00pm Free for all ages!

April 21
VMNH Earth Day Event
, Morning and afternoon education sessions are available for school groups. All grades. A special presentation will be given that day by Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester!!! Pre-registration is required at 276 634 4185 or email at discover@vmnh.virginia.gov

Natural Art, natural crafts at Frank Wilson Park ages 4 and up. Program starts at 5:30. Pre-registration is required at 276 634 4185

April 23
Screen on the Green! Games start at 7:00pm and the movie start 8:00pm! Located at Frank Wilson Park this event is FREE and for all ages!

April 24
Earth Day 5K
, Registration is at 9:00am and the race starts at 10:00am. Location, Martinsville Parks and Recreation Facility 746 Indian Trail Road. Early registration through April 15: $15. After April 15 : $20

Earth Day Festival!! Jack Dalton Park 1:00- 4:00pm FREE, all ages are welcome!

Starry Night, Jack Dalton Park 7:30pm Free Ages 10 and up. Pre- registration is required for this event. To register call 276 634 4185 or email at discover@vmnh.gov

Kite Festival 2010!


March 20, 2010 we conducted the first annual Kite Festival! This festival was located at Jack Dalton Park. Thanks to the Piedmont Arts Association and Martinsville Parks and Recreation we had over 500 make your own kite kits that were donated to us for this event! Children were able to come in and make their own personal kites, paint them with the guidance of college students and real artists from Studio 107. Participants also took part in watching the Henry County Patriot acrobatics. The Henry County Patriots brought their model aircraft and held demonstrations along with giving people a chance to practice flight using their flight simulator! Also at the event, we had a make your own bubble wand bubble station, paper helicopter station, parachute games, disc golf competitions with prizes, and SEMAA had a station where participants were able to build kites and noise makers! It was a busy and fun day! Participants did not run out of activities to take part in.

We had over 500 participants, a beautiful day, games, crafts, and prizes, it was an amazing event!

Special thanks goes out to all the volunteers for this event, it would not have been as successful without you guys!