Press

ALBANY, NY -- The New York State Museum will celebrate Earth Day 2001 on Saturday, April 21 with free family activities throughout the day that include recycled crafts, ecology projects and talks by biologists.

"The State Museum has a long, distinguished record of environmental research," Museum Director Cliff Siegfried said. "The Earth Day activities at the Museum reflect our commitment, as part of the State Education Department, to life-long learning for all New Yorkers - especially in the arena of environmental education."

This year marks the 31st anniversary of Earth Day, which focuses attention on environmental issues throughout the world.

At the Museum, many Earth Day projects will incorporate the exhibitions that feature New York State's habitats. The Museum's own Discovery Squad, an afternoon program for teens, helped coordinate and will be leading some children's Earth Day festivities.

Some of the activities include:

• Museum Biologist Dr. Dan Molloy will talk about his research involving zebra mussels. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Main Lobby.
• Museum Biodiversity Research Institute specialists Ron Gill and Karen Frolich will talk about dragonflies. From noon to 2 p.m.
• Pollution Prevention and Poster Contest with Team Supervisor Cheryl O'Brien, Laurie Rizzo and Jaime Paul from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles with representatives from the DEC, Air Resources. From 11a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Don't Trash Your Future and Environmental Button Making with Debbie Jackson, Environmental Program Specialist, the DEC, Bureau of Waste Reduction & Recycling. From noon to 4 p.m.
• Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt with Master Gardener Cathy Gifford. From noon to 4 p.m.

The New York State Museum is on Madison Avenue in downtown Albany next to the Empire State Plaza. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The public may call 518-474-5877 or visit the website at www.nysm.nysed.gov for more information.