MEDIA / NEWS

Media Contact
Dee Gardner
Manager of Public Relations & Marketing, MMNS Foundation
2148 Riverside Drive
Jackson, Mississippi 39202-1353

Phone: 601-576-6000
Fax: 601-354-7227
Email: deegardner@comcast.net

Welcome to our Media/News Room, where you will find the most current information on exhibits, news, and events taking place at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. As time and space permit, we archive such materials for your convenience (see bottom of page). For press information on our parent agency, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, click on MDWFP. 

News Releases & Media Kits
If you are a member of the media, you've come to the right place. Here you will find general information and downloadable images from the Museum, plus news releases and other detailed information on our Special Exhibits and Special Events.

• MMNS General Press Information
• Play in the Rain(forest) at the Rainforest Adventure Exhibit!
  Jackson, MS … Visit theRainforest Adventureexhibit from January 26 - May 12, 2013 at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' Museum of Natural Science. "Rainforest Adventureis a multisensory expedition to the tropical rainforests of the world," explains Megan Fedrick, education coordinator. The exhibit highlights the challenges facing these unique ecological wonders. Visitors are introduced to scientists and the ways they study rainforests. Using costumes and props, children role-play as research assistants on a series of problem-solving adventures.
• "Got Fish?" Set for January 26th at MS Museum of Natural Science
  Jackson, Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' Museum of Natural Science will host the annual "Got FISH?" fishing seminar program, moderated by "Mississippi Outdoors" TV show co-host Randy Newell, on January 26, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The "Got Fish?" event is included in the regular Museum admission fee. Magnolia Crappie Club members will discuss lure selection and knot tying. Bring the family to experience SCUBA divers feeding the fish in the aquariums.
• Family Fun Science Night at the Museum of Natural Science:
  JACKSON - Join us on January 17th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a night of hands-on science fun at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' Museum of Natural Science! "This event was created to provide an exciting time for families to experience science fun," explains Libby Hartfield, museum director. Explore a touch tank. Interact with live animals. Watch a diver feed the fish at 7 p.m.
• AAM Reaccrediation of MMNS press release 2012
• MCCB Dedication Press Release

Newsletter
Read the current edition of our award-winning Natural Newsline as a downloadable PDF suitable for printing. To receive the print edition of Natural Newsline by mail, join the Museum Foundation today.

Annual Report
We proudly present our current fiscal year Annual Report for Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation as a downloadable PDF suitable for printing.

News
We announce Museum news, awards and special programs here.

Museum Expands Research Facility
The Museum recently opened an expansion of its existing collections and laboratory space which houses more than one million scientific specimens. Before the construction of this 19,000 square foot addition, many of our collections were at or near storage capacity.

Why are these one million specimens important and what does the Museum staff do with them?
Much of what we understand about our world, we owe to the collection, preservation, and study of natural specimens. Properly preserved collections of plants, animals, and fossils are libraries of Earth's history, and are vital to our ability to learn about the past and future.

This knowledge helps guide decision making that leads to healthy ecosystems which benefit our citizens now and into the future. The work undertaken as far back as the 1930's by the Museum's first director, Miss Fannye Cooke, still impacts us today. And the work that this Center engages in now will impact the lives of our children and their grandchildren.

Click here for "Natural Science Collections: America's Great Scientific Resource"

Awards
Mississippi's Project WILD Facilitator of the Year
John Defazio, Jr. was recently named the 2012 Mississippi Project WILD Outstanding Facilitator of the Year. John has served as a Project WILD facilitator for 22 years. John currently serves as a wildlife biologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He has had a strong interest in environmental education & has provided numerous programs throughout the years to various groups. He has participated in many conservation field days, conservation programs, and teacher workshops. He is a Project Wild, Project Wet, and Project Learning Tree Facilitator. He also trains 4-H teams in the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP). He serves as the Mississippi Envirothon Committee Chair and trains Envirothon teams throughout North Mississippi. These teams have consistently placed first within the state and have traveled to national/international competitions to represent Mississippi.

John has been supporter of Project WILD for a long time. He has conducted many conservation workshops that have included project wild. His workshops have been on field trips to streams and have explored the unique habitats of MS. Some participants have even bird danced as an ice breaker. John's evaluations show that his workshops are interactive, exciting, and unique! John also uses Project Wild activities when participating in conservation field days. During a typical conservation field day, anywhere from 175 to 300 students and teachers are exposed to Project Wild. On average, John participates in 6 to 8 conservation field days each year in different counties.

John has proven himself as a leader in Mississippi through all of the organizations that he interacts with. He truly has a passion for wildlife and environmental education. As a Project WILD facilitator John's enthusiasm and knowledge of wildlife & environmental education encourages all Mississippians to explore the outdoors with passion and interest. 

New & Seasonal Programs
Growing Up WILD
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will serve as the state's primary sponsor of Growing Up WILD, a national early childhood education and training program for educators and caregivers of children ages 3-7 which provides educators with tools to connect young children to nature.
Click here for details.

Girl Scout / Cub Scout Programs
The Museum can help your scout group earn badges naturally! Call and book your group program today. Reservations required two weeks in advance.
For more information, download the Girl Scout and Cub Scout flyer.

Teacher Resources & Workshops
Updated Teacher's Guide Available
Check out the Museum's updated "Teacher's Guide" to museum features, services and procedures for planning field trips and making use of learning materials available for loan. Click here for details.
School Planner Calendar 2012
School Planner Exhibits 2012-13

Teacher Workshops
For details, contact:
Angel Rohnke at angel.rohnke@mmns.state.ms.us or
Megan Fedrick at smegaroni@yahoo.com or call 601-576-6000.

Volunteer
BECOME A VOLUNTEER!
This is a great time to join our volunteer community. Teen Volunteer information is also available. Please contact volunteer coordinator Ann Peden at 601-576-6012 or ann.peden@mmns.state.ms.us to get started. 

Exhibit Updates
Two Headed Snake Exhibit Renovated
A new home for the popular Two Headed Snake was designed and built by the Museum's Exhibit Team with special habitat and security considerations. Be sure to visit us and check it out!

Creature Comforts Thursdays on MPB
Check out Creature Comforts on MPB Think Radio! Each week, Libby Hartfield, Director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science brings a specialist into the studio to answer your questions about various animals we see in Mississippi. And of course, Dr. Troy Majure, a veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center of Jackson answers your pet questions. Each week, you'll learn more about the animals that live in our homes and the animals who live in the world around us. You'll also find out more about family-friendly exhibits and events at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson. Email your pet and animal questions to animals@mpbonline.org and listen to Creature Comforts Thursday mornings at 9 on MPB Think Radio. Visit http://mpbonline.org/creaturecomforts/ for more information. 

Endowment Fund
The Mississippi Museum Museum of Natural Science Foundation has joined forces with the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson to establish an endowment fund account designated for the Museum. The goal of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson is to create plans that honor the wishes of its donors. A CFGJ endowment fund directs your gift to a designated charity or purpose. You identify the Museum as the recipient to benefit through your gift and CFGJ makes the annual distribution. This agreement will augment future donations through investments, collectively managed to yield annual earnings for the Museum and to go back into the principle to help it grow even more.  

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