How can you help a turtle that appears to be injured? How do turtles help our environment? Learn these answers and more when the Terre Haute Children’s Museum hosts “Turtle Power!”
The “Turtle Power” event, which will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, will feature turtle-themed crafts, activities, and a special presentation by Amber Slaughterbeck, Natural Resource Programmer for the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department, who is also known as “turtle girl.”
In August 2010, during her daily drive to classes at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Slaughterbeck kept encountering a sad scene alongside the highway – the remains of turtles, killed by vehicular traffic. Slaughterbeck was heartbroken and frustrated over what she saw, so she decided to do her part to save these turtles, and since then, she has rescued more than 2,000 of them from the area near the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area in West Terre Haute.
At the “Turtle Power” event, Slaughterbeck will talk about some of her experiences, share facts that she’s learned about local turtle populations, and she will provide information that will empower Museum guests to become the next generation of “turtle girls” and “turtle boys.”
The “Turtle Power” event is part of the 2013 Year of the River activities. “Year of the River” is a community-wide initiative providing arts, cultural, environmental and educational events throughout 2013 that are focused on the Wabash River, and rivers and water as they affect our lives.
“We are extremely excited to be hosting such a fun and educational event as part of the Year of the River festivities,” said Lynn Hughes, executive director of the Museum. “Amber has dedicated so much of her heart and time to help these wonderful creatures, and we’re grateful that she’s willing to visit the Museum to share her experiences and educate our guests about the turtles in our local area.”
The “Turtle Power” event is free with Museum admission. Museum admission is free for members of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum and children under 24 months. Regular admission is $7 for adults and children over 24 months.
The Terre Haute Children’s Museum is a nonprofit institution dedicated to enriching our children’s lives through the exploration of science and technology. The Museum, 727 Wabash Ave., is located at the corner of 8th Street and Wabash Avenue in downtown Terre Haute. For more information, visitwww.thchildrensmuseum.com, email [email protected], or call 812-235-5548