Exploring Trees Inside and Out

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Children Climb into Knowledge at Exploring Trees Inside and Out

Kid friendly exhibition at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum through Feb. 6

CHICAGO –– The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is proud to present parents with a chance to ‘spruce’ their kids up and bring them out to its newest ’tree-mendous’ exhibition, Exploring Trees Inside and Out, as it makes the final stop on its three-year tour across America. Presented by Doubletree Hotels and the Arbor Day Foundation, the exhibition is part of an education outreach project offering a dynamic and interactive opportunity to explore the beauty of the great outdoors through the incredible wonder of trees. The exhibition will be on display through February 6, 2011.

“As the urban gateway to nature and science, the Nature Museum is proud to provide its visitors with the opportunity to learn more about nature and experience it in an educational and memorable way through Exploring Trees Inside and Out,” said Deborah Lahey, President and CEO of Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. “The exhibition is the perfect way to connect our youngest guests with nature through play. This is especially valuable in a city like Chicago, where trees are often the most obvious encounter with nature people have every day.”

Exploring Trees Inside and Out is a spacious, 2,500-square-foot exhibition that emphasizes the importance of trees and nature. A variety of engaging and educational “sensation stations” in the exhibition encourage children ages two through 10 to:

§ Understand Nature and Trees from Multiple Perspectives – climb through the inside of a larger-than-life tree and veins of leaves; slide into a pile of leaves; see light filter through leaves; and hear water move through the roots.
§ Experience Trees with Every Sense – uncover the “magic” of photosynthesis; touch bark; smell cedar and cinnamon; hear sounds of animals in trees; crawl through a log; and learn about the habitats of different creatures.
§ Recognize the Role of Trees in Our Communities – discover how trees are a part of our daily lives; learn how trees enhance our communities; and build creations in the wood workshop.
§ Enjoy the Forest from a Bird’s-Eye View – soar over the treetops as a cardinal or delightfully enjoy role play as a squirrel in a wooded forest via an entertaining “green screen” experience.

The exhibition was designed by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, and developed with a generous grant from Doubletree Hotels.

“Exploring Trees Inside and Out encourages kids and adults of all ages to appreciate the importance of trees in our everyday lives,” said Rob Palleschi, global head for Doubletree Hotels. “The exhibition was designed to inspire children and parents alike to explore the natural wonders right outside their doors. We are proud to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to make that happen.”

“Our organization, along with the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, truly appreciate the Nature Museum’s participation in helping us bring this special experience to Chicago,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We hope people will get excited about taking advantage of the last breaths of autumn to play outside and enjoying the trees in their own neighborhoods before the leaves fall and winter is upon us.”

Admission to the Nature Museum, including special exhibitions like Exploring Trees Inside and Out, is $9/adult, $6/child 3-12, $7/seniors and students. Thursdays are suggested donation days. Located at 2430 North Cannon Drive in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the Museum is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.naturemuseum.org/ or call 773-755-5100.

For more information about the everyday importance of trees and the Exploring Trees Inside and Out traveling exhibition, please visit www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at http://www.arborday.org/.


About the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum serves as an urban gateway to nature and science. Located in an eco-friendly building amidst abundant wildlife and nature in Lincoln Park, hands-on exhibitions allow visitors of all ages to connect with regional wildlife and public programs that inspire green living and sustainability. With a history that spans more than 150 years, the Academy’s conservation efforts study, explore and protect urban wildlife and the unique natural history of the Great Lakes region. Today, collaborative conservation programs include citizen science initiatives, native habitat restoration and one of the region’s largest environmental education programs. For more information, visit naturemuseum.org or call 773-755-5100.

About Doubletree Hotels
With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 230 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, Doubletree hotels and resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand’s legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward programme, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers may visit our website at http://www.doubletree.com/.