Press

ALBANY, NY – “Birds, Bats & Butterflies” is the theme of the New York State Museum’s next Family Fun Weekend on May 17 and 18.

The Family Fun Weekend takes place from 1 – 4 p.m. both days. Activities, which are free of charge, are held on the Museum’s first floor.

On Sunday only, at 2 p.m., wildlife lecturer and author Rusty Johnson will present birds of prey and reptiles from around the world. He will discuss the relationship between predator and prey and the need to preserve animal habitats. Johnson, a Hudson Valley resident, monitors endangered species around the world and leads ecotours in the Peruvian Amazon. He has assisted Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” and appeared on “The Today Show” and on “Late Night with David Letterman.”

Both afternoons, Family Fun participants can also make and decorate a craft, work at the coloring table and take home a packet of activities and games.

The New York State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department. Located at the Empire State Plaza on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is free and the Museum is fully accessible.

Further information about Museum programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum Web site at www.nysm.nysed.gov.