Earth Day at VMNH

Above picture is of Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester who was our Keynote speaker of the day.

Earth Day at VMNH was an amazing event! We had presenters from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Master Gardeners, Dan River Basin Association, and a Master Naturalist. This event was a conference style event for classes that registered.

We also had a very special guest speaker Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester who gave a presentation that was OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Earth Week 2010 Highlights

No Light Night Hike
This event had over a dozen people exploring the Gravely Nature Preserve at night without ANY flashlights!! Everyone had a wonderful time and their guide said they were an excellent group!

Friends of Philpott Environmental Expo
This event had exhibitors from all around Martinsville, Henry County, and neighboring counties. There were over 400 participants at this very fun event!! Wonderful job Friends of Philpott!!

Black Bears of Virginia
This was a great presentation given by Danny Martin USACE. This outdoor educational presentation was a hit with the families that attended to see in real time bears jumping from tree to tree. An amazing presentation followed by a great outdoor movie about bears in nature. This event kept our audience of over 20 people on the edge of their seats.

Earth Day Earth Craft
This crafty event had over a dozen kids making beautiful deer deterrent wind chimes! They came in all colors and designs. The kids had more paint on them than their crafts, this is how we know they had a great time :)

Hike and Craft April 21 (Philpott Dam) and the Natural Art April 22 (Frank Wilson Park)
Over a dozen people gathered for these events to develop creative crafts out of the natural objects that they found on a hike. Perfect days for both activities! Great job!

Screen on the Green
This event went very well. We had over 80 people in attendance! From 7:00 to 8:00 the participants went on a nature hike, identified and made animal tracks, created nature crafts, got their faces painted, and played with bubbles. Then as soon as 8:00 hit we watched the Lorax!

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!!!

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!

Attention Educators!!

Teachers, educators, and community leaders clear your calendars the first week of June and the first week of August! We are currently organizing two one-day workshops taking place during these weeks! More information to come later this week!!! Contact me if you would like to know more information!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year from MHCCNI!
We hope your new year is off to a wonderful start! We have been coordinating some exciting programs and festivals for the M-HC area for this year. You can find out more specific information about these programs, events, and festivals at www.mhccni.org . We have some fun Saturday programs underway along with a festival which will take place in March!