rawl, climb, and fly with ‘Amazing Butterflies’ at Jackson’s Attraction C of the Year. Transform yourself into a caterpillar and journey through one of the planet’s most amazing lifecycles at the “Amazing Butterflies” exhibit. Experience the challenges of being a caterpillar as it morphs into a beautiful butterfly through a hands-on human maze of larger-than-life leaves, grass, and trees. Along the way, discover the ways caterpillars move, what they eat, and how other creatures help them achieve their transformation. Mark your progress as a butterfly by stamping a souvenir garden card at eight stations before zooming out of the maze as a butterfly on “The Monarch Monorail!” “After exploring the exhibit, ‘fly’ over to the Museum’s Terrarium to see live but- terflies,” invites Chris Zachow, president of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sci- ence Foundation board of directors. As butterflies seek out nectar for food, they often carry pollen from one plant flow- er to the next, and assist in plant pollination. “This exhibit provides a fun, interac- tive experience for families to learn about this amazing relationship,” explains Larry Castle, Director of Technical Programs for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. If you enjoy butterflies, then you’ll love MDWFP’s Butterfly Conserving Wildlife car tag. The tag costs $30 dollars (in addition to the regular tag fee). Proceeds benefit the Wildlife Heritage Fund. Contact your local tax collector’s office to get yours. “Amazing Butterflies” was created by the Natural History Museum in London in collabo- ration with Minotaur Mazes. The exhibit is sponsored locally by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), Anonymous, Clarion Ledger, Paul Benton, The Chish- olm Foundation, Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sanderson Farms, Trustmark Bank, Chris & Steve Zachow, Feild Cooperative Associates, Emme Wells, Jennie McIntosh, Ollye B. Shirley, and other generous supporters.

Vol.Vol. #28 # • No.No. III#

THETHE MUSEUM MUSEUM IS AA DIVISION DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF OF WILDLIFE, WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, FISHERIES AND, AND PARKS PARKS WINTER 2011 1 Department

ADMINISTRATION Commissioners Sam Polles, Ph.D. Charles Rigdon Executive Director Chairman Robert Cook Jerry Munro Deputy Director VICE-Chairman Dear Members, Larry Castle William “Billy” Deviney Director of technical programs Bryan Jones The news concerning funding for state government is pretty grim right now. This John C Stanley IV year we face what has been forecast to be a challenging year. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science receives about 60 percent of our funding from the state’s general funds, so we are included in the dire news and we have taken huge cuts in our state funding. Looking back over this year’s accomplishments and noting that we provided services for more than 292,000 people gives us hope that we will come through this difficult time and find the resources to continue to serve our audience with quality education and conservation endeavors. DIRECTORS E D U C AT I O N I am sure that we will continue to rely on friends and supporters to come to our Libby Hartfield CONTINUED Museum Director Joseph M. McGee aid as we have during previous times of need. Outreach Naturalist Charles Knight The new temporary exhibit Amazing Butterflies is an excellent example of the ASSISTANT MUSEUM DIRECTOR Nicole Phillips Naturalist combination of public and private sector support we depend on. A grant from the ADMINISTRATION Andrea Schuhmann Mary Jenkins OUTREACH Naturalist Institute of Museum and Library Services in conjunction with local private donors Special Projects Officer Corey Wright such as Trustmark Bank and Sanderson Farms make this dynamic, interactive exhibit Connie Gore Naturalist Gift Shop Manager E X H I B I T possible. Cindy Bearden MANAGEMENT Gift Shop assistant Our last temporary exhibit, Megalodon: Largest Shark That Ever Lived, was made Norton McKeigney Tracey Reid Exhibits Supervisor Gift Shop ASSISTANT possible by a similar mix of funding. Please take the time to read through the complete Ray Terry Eamy Williams Exhibits Supervisor list of donors found in this newsletter. Gift Shop ASSISTANT Mary Stevens NATURAL HERITAGE We will also depend on our loyal volunteers who work hand-in-hand with our volunteer LIBRARIAN Sherry Surrette, Ph.D. Natural Heritage capable staff to consistently provide exemplary programs for our audience. We have Harold Garner Program Coordinator Facilities Maintenance faith that friends will step forward again to help. Manager Joelle Carney database manager Charles Jeffcoat Custodian Adrianne Clark Database Technician Fran Noone receptionist Aaron Francois Database Technician Ann Peden volunteer services Tom Mann zoologist AQUARIUMS Andy Sanderson Andrew Whitehurst ecologist Aquarium Coordinator Matt Smith DATABASE MANAGER Libby Hartfield Karen Dierolf Museum Director Aquatic Biologist Heather Sullivan Bryan Fedrick Botanist Herpetologist RESEARCH & Eric Gregory COLLECTIONS MISSION STATEMENT: aquarium assistant Jeremy Copley COLLECTIONS/RESEARCH John Hardy ASSISTANT AquariST The mission of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is to promote understanding and R.L. Jones, Ph.D. Mike Stegall Herpetologist appreciation of Mississippi’s biological diversity through collections, research, scientific databases, Aquarist Sean McGregor education, and exhibits; and to inspire the people of our state to respect the environment and to EDUCATION conservation Angel Rohnke associate Biologist preserve natural Mississippi. Education Coordinator Scott Peyton Mary Alston Collections Manager Preschool Educator George Phillips Crystie Baker Paleontology Curator OUTREACH NATURALIST Matt Roberts Joan Elder Ichthyologist PRESCHOOL EDUCATOR Kathy Shelton Jonathan Harris Biologist educator LaToya Turner Megan Sewall Laboratory Assistant Naturalist Nicholas Winstead Yolanda Hawkins ORNITHOLOGIST Education Assistant Rebecca Jones special projects coordinator

2 WINTER 2011 MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE Fossil Road Show Special Events Pack up your fossils and hit Fossil Road Show the road! SAT • MAR 5 ring your favorite fossils and get 10a m to 3p m expert opinions about their ages B and identities from our team of NatureFEST! scientists. See fossils from the Museum SAT • APR 9 collection and enjoy interesting fossil 10a m to 5p m presentations. Who knows what might turn up this year? International Migratory Bird Day SAT • MAY 7 10a m to 3pm NatureFEST! Snake Day Come explore with us! Tues • Jun 7 10a m to 3pm t’s a festival, a nature outing, and a fascinating Museum trip, all I wrapped into one exciting day. Bat expert Rob Mies is back to share the mysterious world of bats!

Snake Day: Mississippi Style Don’t let this one slip by. Herpetologist Bryan Fedrick will help you spot the differences D between Mississippi’s venomous and non-venomous snakes, separating eet the “Snake Man”, Terry myth from accurate information about Vandeventer. Enjoy fish native snakes’ value in the ecosystem. M feedings and live animal Catch one of Fedrick’s interactive creature features. Interact with our discussions from 10am–11am and biologists and researchers and tour International 12noon–1pm. Live snakes will be behind the scenes. Get outside and tour exhibited from 10am–3pm, with experts the native plant garden, take a nature Migratory Bird Day on hand to answer your questions. hike and paddle a canoe (weather (Snake exhibits provided by MMNS and permitting). Come on over to their Terry Vandeventer, Museum Associate). stopover. igrate to the Museum’s grounds and nature trails, favorite M stopovers for birds that fly between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Central and South America. We’ll gather for bird watching, nature hikes, and more.

WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG WINTER 2011 3 Award Winning Announcements Entries sought for “Third Annual Back to Nature Photography Contest ”

The Museum is accepting entries from February 2, 2011 - February 1, 2012 for the Third Annual Back to Nature Photography Contest. The contest is designed to encourage Museum visitors to venture out and capture the natural beauty of the wildlife and habitats seen on the grounds of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and along the trails of Lefleur’s Bluff State Park. For details visit www.msnaturalscience.org and click on The Latest or call 601-354-7303 for official guidelines and entry form. Winners of the Second Annual Back to Nature Photography Contest will be announced in a future issue of the Newsline and on our website.

A Golden Silk Spider lounges in its web along the nature trails. Credit: Hays Collins

James Patterson

Libby Hartfield and Angel Rohnke She develops strong Museum recognized as key part of Jackson’s partnerships with tourism product Mississippi science The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is Jackson’s 2010 Attraction of the Year. teachers and students The award, part of the Jackson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s SUMITT (Superlative Merit in Travel & Tourism) Awards program, is voted on by Jackson’s tourism industry. Angel Rohnke, Education Coordinator has The award was presented to Chris Zachow, President of the MMNS Foundation Board received the Mississippi Science Teachers of Directors and Libby Hartfield, Museum Director in a ceremony held at the Jackson Association’s 2010 Informal Educator of the Convention Complex. Year Award.

4 WINTER 2011 WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG Mississippi’s Endangered Butterfly Two new populations of Mitchell’s Satyr identified

ast summer, museum biologists had a unique opportunity to survey for the Federally Endangered Mitchell’s Satyr L butterfly (Neonympha mitchelli mitchelli) through a federally funded grant with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This survey was performed to determine the estimated distribution of this butterfly species in northeast Mississippi. Mitchell’s Satyrs are considered to be one of the most critically endangered butterflies in eastern North America. In 2004, Mississippi State University entomologists identified the first two known Mitchell’s Satyr populations in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. Until this time, this butterfly species was only thought to occur in Indiana, Michigan, and Alabama. Adult Mitchell’s Satyr Butterflies that were caught, photographed and released. Mitchell’s Satyrs require a very specific habitat type for their In June 2010, Sherry Surrette, Heather Sullivan, and Scott survival. This habitat type (sometimes called a fen) must consist of Peyton surveyed over fifty wetland habitats for Mitchell’s Satyrs a wet meadow that allows sunlight to penetrate, but also provides and their associated vegetation. The month of June was chosen bordering shade. In addition, the groundcover vegetation must because this is the month in which the first satyr brood of the be dominated specific sedge species Carex( crinita and C. lurida). year is known to emerge as adult butterflies. The biologists were These plants are thought to serve as the primary food sources for successful at identifying two new Mitchell’s Satyr populations developing satyr larvae. The specificity of this habitat makes it in Itawamba and Tishomingo Counties. Again in August an extremely rare find. In addition, wetland draining during 2010, additional surveys were conducted during the estimated the 1900’s to expand urban development and agricultural lands time of the second adult satyr brood flight. However, no new likely destroyed many wetland areas that supported this unique populations were found during this trip. Additional Mitchell’s satyr habitat type. Satyr surveys are planned for June and August 2011.

Suitable Habitat for the Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly.

MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE WINTER 2011 5 FEB 1 Did you know that caterpillars were able Ongoing Summer Camp to identify plants and plant relationships Summer Camp Registration for MMNS before humans were able to do so? Dr. Members opens. See www.msnaturasci- Brown will discuss caterpillars and this ence.org or call 601-354-7303 for form. ability.

FEB 2 , 2011 - FEB 1, 2012 Contest Enter the 3rd Annual Back to Nature Photography Contest Designed to encour- MPB RADIO SHOW age visitors to venture out and capture the Listen to Museum Director Libby Hartfield natural beauty of the wildlife and habitats and local veterinarian Dr. Troy Majure every seen on the museum grounds, and along Thursday morning at 9am (rebroadcast the trails of Lefleur’s Bluff State Park. See at 9pm) as they take call-in questions from www.msnaturalscience.org or call 601- listeners about all of Mississippi’s critters—big 354-7303 for official guidelines and entry. or small, furry or scaled, wild or domestic. Join the live fun with a call to the team at 877-672-7464. NOW - MAY 8, 2011 SPECIAL EXHIBIT FUN FRIDAYS Amazing Butterflies This summer, join the Museum’s Education “Amazing Butterflies”. Giant Maze and staff for Fun Fridays and experience Live Butterflies. Discover the caterpillar’s interactive, hands-on programs. These family- secret world of towering grass and leaves, friendly programs, for accompanied children, then transform and take flight! are offered every Friday in June and July MAR 5 • SAT • 10a m -3p m

beginning June 10. Fossil Road Show MAR 1 Fossil experts will help visitors identify FISH FEEDING Summer Camp their fossils and determine more about Meet some of our most fascinating aquarium Summer camp Registration for non-mem- their own fossil collections. inhabitants, every Tuesday and Friday at 10am, and Sunday at 2pm. MAR 14-18 • MON-FRI CREATURE FEATURES Teacher Workshops Scheduled or spontaneous, these informal For details, contact Angel Rohnke at programs feature live or mounted animals. 601-354-7303 or by email; Scheduled every Saturday at 10am and 2pm, [email protected] Creature Features make learning fun! [email protected] LECTURE SERIES APR 5 • TUE • No o n -1p m - l e c tu r e • s p e a k e r : d r . j e s s i c a k a s - On the first Tuesday of the month (except bers opens. See www.msnaturalscience.org Dec. and Jan.), the Museum offers lectures or call 601-354-7303 for form. addressing a variety of natural science subjects. Unless noted otherwise, the MAR 1 • TUE • No o n -1p m - l e c tu r e • s p e a k e r : Dr. Ri c h a r d lectures take place from 12noon to 1pm Br o w n , Pr o f e s s o r o f Ent o m o l o g y , a nd Di r e c t o r , Mi s s i s s i p p i in the Museum’s Rotwein Theater. Lectures Ent o m o l o g i c a l Mu s eu m , Mi s s i s s i p p i St a te University are free to Museum Foundation members or regular admission visitors. Please show your Butterflies, Caterpillars, and Plant membership card at the gate. Taxonomy BIRD WALKS On the first Saturday of the month (except Bill Stripling Dec. and Jan.), join experienced birders and t l e r , m a r i ne edu c a t i o n c ente r , g u l f c o a s t r e s e a r c h l a b o r a t o r y , Jackson Audubon Society members for a walk u s m , o c e a n s p r i n g s on the wild side. Bird walks for family groups Response Oil Spill Outreach Based in and beginners are from 8a m to 10a m Science at Lefleur’s Bluff State Park Campground. An interactive discussion of oil in the Fee: $3. For more information, call Mary Gulf of Mexico and the scientific response Stevens at 601.956.7444. to the spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

6 WINTER 2011 MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE APR 9 • SAT • 10a m -5p m JUN 4 - JAN 9, 2012 • s p e c i a l e v ent For Teachers NatureFEST! “Frogs!” created by The Audubon Nature Bring the family to explore the museum Institute. From the “jewels of the Ama- WET AND WILD CEU CREDITS - starring bats, snakes, fish and a behind- zon” - the tiny poison dart frogs - to the The Museum offers two environmental the-scenes look at research, guided nature giant Surinam toad, to the highly toxic education programs, Project WILD walks, and other outdoor activities Terrible Dart Frogs, come discover how and Project WET, with CEU credits available. “toadally” important, interesting, and fun APR 24 - SUN this interactive exploration of all things WORKSHOPS Museum Closed for Holiday frog can be! MAR 14 - Growing Up WILD MAR 15 - Project WET JUN 4 • SAT • 7a m -10:30a m MAR 16 - Project Aquatic WILD Katfishin’ Kids at Turcotte Education MAR 17 - Project Flying WILD Center MAR 18 - WILD about Reptiles Fun fishing at Turcotte Lab off Hwy July 25 - Growing Up WILD 43 at Ross Barnett Reservoir, for ages July 26 - WILD about Reptiles 15 and under, accompanied by adults. July 27 - Project Aquatic WILD Equipment and refreshments are free. July 28 - Project Flying WILD July 29 - Project WET JUN 6-10 RESOURCES Junior Naturalist Summer Camp To schedule a workshop or field trip, reserve a resource Jr. Naturalist Camp (for the older kids), kit, download classroom materials, or learn more about gives kids a chance to participate in how our Museum can help meet your classroom needs, call Angel Rohnke or Rebecca Jones at 601-354-7303 indoor/outdoor activities that focus on or visit www.msnaturalscience.org. the ecosystems of Mississippi. Campers learn about identification, collection, and For Preschoolers conservation of our indigenous species. The Museum’s “hands-on” Preschool For details, contact Megan Sewall. 601- Discovery Room is designed specifically for 354-7303 [email protected] pre-kindergartners, ages 3-5. It is open when a staff member or volunteer is available. The JUN 7 • TUE • 10a m -11a m & No o n -1p m - l e c tu r e schedule is subject to change. Call Joan Elder MAY 3 • TUE • No o n -1p m - l e c tu r e • Sp e a k e r : And y Pe c k , Sp e a k e r : Br y a n Fed r i c k , He r p et o l o g i s t at 601-354-7303 ext.136 or email joan.elder@ Ph.D., Fr e s h w a te r Ec o l o g i s t , Na tu r e Co n s e r v a n c y o f Missis- Learn the value of our native snakes and mmns.state.ms.us for more information. s i p p i & Ente r g y Fo und a t i o n Fe l l o w , Ja c k s o n how to distinguish venomous species Restoring Mississippi Delta Habitats: from non-venomous ones. Live snakes PRESCHOOL DISCOVERY ROOM HOURS How Green Infrastructure Can Provide will be exhibited from 10am to 3pm. MON-FRI 1-4p m Both Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat SAT 9:30a m -12n o o n & 1-4p m Improvements. JUN and JUL SUN 1-4p m Planting more than 390,000 trees will Fun Fridays starting June 10. Fun Fridays TIME FOR TWOS (ages 2 & under) benefit more than 900 acres of Yazoo are interactive, hands-on programs 2nd TUE 1-4p m National Wildlife Refuge Land. When offered in June and July from 10am STORY TIME (ages 3 to 5) combined with other resources, the - 12noon. An adult must accompany WED 1:15, 2:15, & 3:15p m (aug-May) end result becomes more than the sum children. TUE & THU 10:15 & 11:15a m (Jun-Jul) of its parts. This project will be dis- cussed at the restoration site level and JUN 13-16 (entering K-1) • JUN 20-23 (entering PRESCHOOL CLASSES PRE-RESERVATION REQUIRED on larger scales such as the Yazoo River 2-3) • JUN 27-30 (entering 4-5). Wild about Summer Camp MON-FRI 9a m , 9:45a m , & 10:30a m (aug-May) Basin, Mississippi River, and the Gulf of WED & FRI 9a m , 9:45a m , & 10:30a m (Jun-Jul) Mexico Camp WILD (for the younger campers) is a place where kids explore the outdoors, MAR,APR,MAY CLASS: “Mo m ! It’s Da r k !” - a s tud y o f MAY 7 • SAT • 10a m –3p m make new friends, and delve into n o c tu r n a l a n i m a l s a nd t h e i r b a b i e s . Ch i l d r en w i l l a p p r e c i a te International Migratory Bird Day nature. For details, contact Nicole Smith. t h e l a r g e nu m be r o f a n i m a l s t h a t l o o k f o r f o o d a t n i g h t a nd Gather for bird watching, nature hikes, 601-354-7303 [email protected]. n o te t h e n a m e s o f s o m e o f t h e b a b i e s a s w e l l a s t h e i r h a b i t a t s . and lots of hands-on activities. Join in ms.us the fun and help support migratory bird JUL-AUG CLASS: “Sm a l l , Yet A w e s o m e !” - a p ee k i nt o conservation. t h e w o r l d o f i n s e c t s . Ch i l d r en w i l l e x p l o r e t h e f a s c i n a t i n g w o r l d o f i n s e c t s a nd a p p r e c i a te t h e i r diversity, u s e f u l ne s s , a nd p h y s i c a l s t r u c tu r e . MAY 30 Museum Closed for Holiday Note: Dates are subject to change.

WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG WINTER 2011 7 Aquarium Staff Brings “Amazing Butterflies” Exhibit to Life. Visit The Swamp this winter and get close to the creatures that call this special habitat, “Home”.

s you have probably noticed, we try to have each of our newsletters reflect something to do with our current special exhibit. This winter we have an exhibit on butterflies A andyou may be wondering, “How in the world will the aquariums be able to tie into that subject?” Well, have no fear, we have done it. The terrarium, (aka The Swamp), is going to become the temporary home for not just fish, alligators and turtles but also live butterflies. Please understand that this is not going to be a full-fledged butterfly house, but we are going to try to have a few of the common native species. The swamp is a 1,700-square foot greenhouse containing a lush native plant garden and a 20,000-gallon aquarium that provides a home for an assortment of alligators, fish, and turtles that includes endangered turtles such as the ringed saw back turtle, black knobbed saw back turtles, and the yellow blotched saw back turtles. The endangered turtle exhibit is designed with a simulated sandbar so that these turtles can dig nests and lay eggs. Each year we look forward to the baby hatchlings. However, we have always been disappointed that we did not see any baby yellow blotched turtle hatchlings. For our regular visitors, you may remember that last fall we did a complete renovation of the terrarium. We installed new basking lights, a sprinkler system, and basking logs. Apparently, this finally set the mood for the yellow blotched turtles. This summer, we were delighted to see our first baby yellow blotched turtle hatchlings. All three species of saw back turtle hatchlings are now on display in the baby turtle tank along with hatchlings from many other species of native Mississippi turtles.

For Volunteers and preparing specimens for Have you ever experienced a “cool the herbarium. You’re also moon”? This was just one of many likely to meet Jim in the exhibit discoveries on our last adult volunteer hall, sharing what he’s learned field trip visiting the Delta Blues Museum working with our research in Clarksdale, MS and the B.B. King biologists. “What keeps me Museum in Indianola, MS. A full day of coming back is being with a considering how to interpret our state’s cadre of very knowledgeable rich culture for visitors ended with a people who are always willing

surprise treat; heated moon pies topped Volunteer coordinator Ann Peden shopping in to help you. And then I’m able with ice cream and chocolate sauce, aka, downtown Clarksdale on a volunteer trip to to go downstairs and impart the “cool moon”. You never know what the Delta with a couple of our most faithful that knowledge to our guests. volunteers, Bill and Betty Anne Hays you’ll learn as a Museum volunteer! That’s fun, too.” Exploring Mississippi is just one We welcome new opportunity provided by our volunteer program. volunteer divers, Charles Volunteers continue their outstanding support of all Burrage and Jennifer Whatley. Museum activities, and we continue to welcome you Look for them waving at you to join our ranks. underwater during our fish- Volunteer Jim Leonard has now earned over feeding dives. Weekdays, new A “Cool Moon” - one thousand hours since he began volunteering moonpie heated up with volunteer Derek Terry will be in 2008. “I get a lot more than I give, as far as I’m ice cream on top. Genius! out and about in the exhibit concerned,” Jim says. “Every day I learn something hall to help answer questions new.” Jim’s made major contributions to the Museum collections, specifically and share interesting info. with dissection of mussel and gill tissue samples for the DNA sample storage

8 WINTER 2011 WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG Volunteer Notes To participate you will first need to complete a volunteer application, available on-line at www.msnaturalscience.org. Teen Volunteer information is Our current temporary exhibit, Amazing Butterflies, gives you the also available. opportunity to transform into a Museum volunteer, especially if you enjoy BECOME A VOLUNTEER! meeting new people and would like to learn more about butterflies! If you’d This is a great time to join our volunteer community. Teen Volunteer like to help out, get in touch at [email protected] or contact information is also available. Please contact volunteer coordinator Ann volunteer coordinator Ann Peden at 601-354-7303. Peden at 601-354-7303 or [email protected] to get started.

Wind Storms Damage Trails but Swift Repairs are Planned. Trails continue to benefit from volunteer involvement and use.

he museum and park trails are very pleasant during the months of February T through May and are the most pleasant for walking along the river, up and down the bluffs, and along our upper and lower backwater sloughs. However, in the last few months, wind storms have brought down trees and wrecked both of our 3 year-old viewing platforms. The upper slough platform was 50 percent destroyed and the lower slough only lost some hand rails and a few stairs. Prompt repairs are planned. The trees along our trails make them attractive and provide shade, but they smash our trail improvements when they come down. Six Eagle Scout projects provided new trail amenities in the form of retaining walls, benches and bridge repair over the last few months. Joseph Herrington, Jarred Easterling, Philip Lanoux, Zachary Thaggard and Jimmy Swensen earned their Eagle Scout pins in part Florence High School senior project on urban water pollution by completing functional projects that made the museum and and built and installed wood duck nesting boxes along a slough park trails nicer places to visit and use. Cody Cliburn did his on the river trail. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park manager Randy Dearman has created a new primitive campground near the Pearl River for use by scouts, church, and school groups. This campground is only 50 feet from the road to the boat ramp on the river, and is easy to use for scout troops that have trailers full of camping equipment and need to camp close to their vehicles, plus it is within a short walk of shower and bathroom facilities of the main campground. The LeFleur’s Ridge group camping area is open and has been improved by the addition of picnic tables and portable toilets on platforms, but it requires a hike of about 15 minutes down the river trail from the closest parking area and is better suited for backpack camping. Scouts and other supervised groups are welcome to use it by arrangement with the park manager, call (601) 987-3923. Last Spring, Troop 8 from First Baptist Church of Jackson launched canoes below the Ross Barnett Reservoir dam, and paddled down the Pearl to camp – a first for the park.

MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE WINTER 2011 9 Steadfast Supporters $100,000-$200,000 Abe Rotwein Family Bryant Mather The Chisholm Foundation Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Regions Bank Foundation Deposit Guaranty/AmSouth Foundation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ergon $50,000-$100,000 BellSouth Gertrude C. Ford Foundation Magalen O. Bryant & Tara Phil Hardin Foundation Wildlife Management Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Hughes Community Foundation Irby Companies of Greater Jackson Richard McRae, Jr., Family Chevron Mississippi Chemical Corporation Entergy Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Environmental Protection Agency National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/ Saturday Friede Goldman Shell Marine Habitat Program April 9, 2011 Gannett Foundation/The Clarion-Ledger Dr. & Mrs. Steve Zachow 10 am - 5 pm Spend the day in the $25,000-$50,000 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Paul T. Benton middle of nature! Bureau of Land Management Plum Creek Foundation – inside and ouside Delta and Pine Land Company Pruet Companies Feild Cooperative Association, Inc. Sanderson Farms the Museum – Foundation for the Mid South Trustmark National Bank Georgia-Pacific Corporation U.S. Department of Transportation International Paper Foundation U.S. Forest Service Some of the many Activities: Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Mr. & Mrs. William J. Van Devender Birds of Prey Merrill Lynch The Walker Foundation MS Department of Environmental Quality Dr. & Mrs. Julian Wiener Museum Collections Mississippi Power Company Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation Native Plant Sale Mississippi Valley Gas Company Yazoo Mississippi Molpus Woodlands Group Delta Levee Board Live Animals Scuba Divers $10,000-$25,000 Nature Trails The Armstrong Foundation Mississippi Forestry Foundation Giant Aquariums AT&T National Geographic BancorpSouth Foundation Society Education Foundation “Snake Man Betsy & Wade Creekmore Nissan of North America, Inc. Terry Vandeventer” Cellular South Foundation Soterra LLC Howard Industries, Inc. Sprint PCS/US Unwired Behind-the-scenes Tours Institute of Museum and Library Services St. Dominic Health Services Bat Expert Rob Mies Mississippi Arts Commission The Straddlefork Foundation Mississippi Forestry Association Wild Turkey Federation Photo Contest Winners

10 WINTER 2011 MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE New Members/Donors Foundation

Life Sidney & Gloria Montgomery Beth & Fred Wilson Janie Nash Jan A. Allinder Michelle P. Pharr Dr. & Mrs. John D. Wofford Mark Nicodemus Alex Alston, Jr. Don & Becky Potts Steve Zary Amy Ninness John E. Ashcraft, Jr. Dan & Kristi Smith Beverly Oden Sue Allen Tate Family Alison Parr Sam Beibers ($65 or more) Katie Briggs Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Weaver Kayla Abraham Casey Parsons Polly Briggs Dr. & Mrs. Frank Wiygul, Jr. Melissa Alexander Mandy Penny Magalen O. Bryant Kathryn Wiener Greg Amos Greg Powell Kevin Caldwell Steven Applewhite Weston Presley Friend Amanda Quarles Mr. & Mrs. Bill Cook ($100 or more) William Bares Opal H. Dakin Murphy & Ruth Adkins John Belz Susan Reid Marianne & Jack Dempsey George A. Allen Jeffrey Blackwood Courtney Roberts Theo Dinkins Gerald & Elizabeth Barber Tom Bobbitt Ethel Rose The Mississippi Museum of Natural Halla Jo Ellis David Bowen Barber Boone Daniel Scarbrough Billie M. Ellison Liz Brandon Helen Boone Corey Schneider Science Foundation is the lifeblood Sylvia Ann Finman Charles & Becky Brasfield Linda Wright Gabe Schneider of our Museum, providing man power, Jenn Sivak Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Goings Jane Buttross Nicole Bradshaw financial assistance, and Mr. & Mrs. Chris Hall Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Callahan Mr. & Mrs. Brumfield Thomas Slawson Mr. & Mrs. Richard Harding Sarah & Richard Campbell Rickey Burke David Smith moral support. The Foundation Paul Hartfield C. B. Carroll & Jeanne Luckett Amanda Camp Matt Smith invites you to join today! Emily Hartfield Mr. & Mrs. Buford Clark Dorsey Carson Jarod South Matthew Holleman, III Sidney & Holt Crews Todd Carter Patrick Spencer Michael & Janice LeBlanc Elaine Crystal Diane Chamberlain Elizabeth Steadham OFFICERS William L. Lee Kane & Betty Ditto Phillip Chapman Sean Sullivan Chris Zachow Jennie McIntosh Terry Dwyer Katie Chustz Janet Thames President Mr. & Mrs. David McMillin Greg Thompson Alex Alston, Jr. Sean W. Ellis Aimee Cole Vice President John Palmer Jane & Ed Emling Christy Copeland Steven Tuminello Meghan Universal Janice Larson Jackie & Avery Rollins Dees R. Faucett Kevin Cronin Secretary/Treasurer Suzanne Rotwein Sara Fore Chris Crothers Kim Walden James E. Stary John & Ann Fournet Michael Czora Katie Walker BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carol Taff Jana Warren Dr. Nola Gibson Kirk Eddleman George Allen Libby Hartfield Richard Vavrick Donna R. Godwin Michael Edwards Ralph Watson Ellan Vavrick Clyde & Barbara Hare Chris Eubanks David West Alex Alston, Jr. Matt Holleman, III Robert & Janice Whitehead Alice Harper Leonard Eubanks Guy Wilkins Paul Benton Lorose Hunter William Roberts Wilson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jack Harding Lynn Evans Ashley Williams Betsy Creekmore Janice Larson Dr. & Mrs. Steve Zachow Homa Hill Stacy Everett Brent Wilson Frederick Wilson Opal Dakin Ashley Parker Mrs. Norman A. Johnson, Jr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick Marianne Dempsey Alice Perry Sustaining Joan M. Kaye Laura Foley Michael Wimberly ($1,000 or more) Frank Winder Halla Jo Ellis Avery Rollins Ms. Magalen Bryant Ernest A. Klatt, Jr. Maria Garcia Bridget Wineman Sean Wesley Ellis Ollye Brown Shirley Betsy & Wade Creekmore Penny Kochtitzky Lori Garrott Peter & Carolee Kuchirka Justin Gordon Emily Wright Dick Hall Sheila Smith Hiram & Elizabeth Creekmore Tieling Xie Deborah Dawkins Dr. & Mrs. T. W. Lewis III April Gutierrez Phillip Street Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Martin Michael Hardy Junwang Xu Robert Fairbank, Jr. Chris Zepponi Chris Zachow Mr. & Mrs. Verneda Mason Laura Harris Christopher Gedemer John Maxey Terri Hedeman Individual Melissa & David Patterson Glade & Emily McInnis Thomas Hederman ($40 or more) Lottie Smith Don & Mary Mitchell Leslie Heidden Stephanie Benefield Join Today! Lance & Beth Stevens Jeanette Morgan Amelia Hollingsworth Laura Kuhn Carol Taff Maurice Murray Grace Hopkins Mr. & Mrs. Chris Travis Bill Osborne Les Howell Exhibit Sponsors All members enjoy free admission to Rob & Pam Wells Ashley & Wheeler Parker Michael Hrivnak Amazing Butterflies the Museum, invitations to members- Karen Whitworth Alex & Mary Purvis Charles Ivy Institute of Museum & Library Chat H. Phillips II Byron Jenson Services (IMLS)* only events, a subscription to our Benefactor Joy Rhoads Dale Johnson ANONYMOUS newsletter, and discounts at the Eddie R. Pope Allen Riechert Emily Johnson The Clarion-Ledger ** John L. Rings Maria Johnson Paul Benton Dragonfly Shoppe. Higher levels Patron Dr. & Mrs. Nicole Johnson The Chisholm Foundation of membership receive additional ($500 or more) E. Barney Robinson III H. Wayne Jones Jackson Convention & Visitors Charlotte Icardi Dr. Lewis F. Rogers Bela Kanyicska Bureau benefits, such as public recognition Hap & Hilda Owen Mr. & Mrs. Tony Roughton Debra Kassoff Sanderson Farms of their contributions, additional William B. Stripling, Jr. Art Salomon Deven Kellogg Trustmark Bank admission passes, and even the Ernest & Beth Taylor Mike Schmidt Trey Kelly Chris & Steve Zachow Gloria Walker Mary Elizabeth Smith Christy Ketchum Feild Cooperative Associates private use of Museum facilities. Adair Williams Dr. & Mrs. J. George Smith Jacob Lancaster Emme Wells And all memberships entitle you Margie L. Smith Amy Lassley Donor Jennie McIntosh to free admission to more than ($250 or more) Kristie & Steven Speights David Lawrence Ollye B. Shirley Frederick & Marian Anklam Ray & Dardanella Shenefelt Sean Lenz 200 other museums nationwide Mr. & Mrs. Jim Sledge Kelly Leo *“This project was supported in Steven & Erin Chevalier part by a grant from the Institute of through a reciprocal Louisa Dixon Mr. & Mrs. James Starnes Larisa Liu Museum and Library Services. James P. Grissom Bill & Joanna Storey Brandee Livingston Any views, findings, conclusions membership program. Mr. & Mrs. Chris Hall Mr. & Mrs. Wes Stover Elisabeth Malphurs or recommendations expressed in Ed Swiatlo Juli Ann Marquette this Newsline do not necessarily Dick Hall represent those of the Institute of Individual memberships start at $40. Katherine Klipple Granville & Sue Allen Tate Chris McLaurin Museum and Library Services.” Stephen L. Thomas Danada McMurty **The Clarion-Ledger is the sole Help preserve the best of Mr. & Mrs. Alan Lange print sponsor. Mary G. Lockhart Aaron Trubman Wilson Minor Mississippi’s natural world! Drs. Timothy & W. Lamar & Nanette Weems Mack Mitchell Nancye McCowan Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Wiggs Eric Moody

WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG WINTER 2011 11 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Non-Profit Org. 2148 Riverside Drive U.S. Postage Jackson, MS 39202-1353 PAID Jackson, Miss. permit no. 932

601-354-7303 WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG

Museum Hours MON-FRI 8a m to 5p m SAT 9a m to 5p m • SUN 1p m to 5p m FEATURED GIFT SHOP ITEMS: Gift Shop Hours Each season, the Museum shop offers a thought- MON-SAT 9a m -4p m • SUN 1-4p m ful selection of gift items that coordinate with the current special exhibit (“Amazing Butterflies”) and Admission educational programming. From books to fossils, Members: FREE • Adults: $6 jewelry to puppets, and science kits to t-shirts - Children ages 3-18: $4 • Children Under 3: FREE make your shopping choice a natural one! Senior Citizens 60 & over: $5 Peterson Field Call for group rates Guides Eastern Butterflies LOCATION $20 plus 7% sales tax The Museum is located on I-55 at Lakeland Ordering Information: Drive—within LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. Please call the gift shop during business hours at 601-354-7303 to place your order. (Add $2.00 shipping and handling for mail orders.) Fascinations Green Earth Butterfly Kit The Dragonfly Shoppe is a Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation sponsor. $20 plus 7% sales tax

12 WINTER 2011 601-354-7303 • 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, Ms 39202 • WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG