'Land in Focus' opens July 19 at Morrill Hall

            A new nature photography exhibit will open July 19 at the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus.

            "Land in Focus" was curated by UNL doctoral student Victoria Chraibi in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and UNL doctoral fellows in the National Science Foundation Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training program. The interactive exhibit showcases the connections urban youth were able to make to the natural world through creativity and inter-generational storytelling. The project was made possible by a grant Chraibi received from the Fulbright Canada-RBC Eco-Leadership Program. It will remain on display through Sept. 30. The story portion of the exhibit can be accessed at www.soundcloud.com/landinfocus.

            "Land in Focus" sheds light on the notion that future generations are increasingly disconnected from nature, yet will be tasked with making critical decisions regarding natural resource and conservation issues in the future.

            Through the grant, six youths ages 11-17 from the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln were provided cameras, and set out to gain a better understanding of Nebraska wildlife and landscapes. Along with their UNL mentors, they visited diverse landscapes in and around Lincoln, including city parks, Nine Mile Prairie, Platte River State Park, privately owned farms and other locations. They documented their field trips with photos ranging from pigs to prairie landscapes. They spoke to a variety of researchers, farmers and Nebraskans spanning multiple generations to learn about their perspectives on nature. Morrill Hall visitors have the opportunity to hear excerpts from these conversations using QR codes.

            The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Regular admission is $6 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $13 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty, and students are admitted free with NU ID. Friends of the Museum are also free with valid membership card. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free in front of the museum. For further information, telephone the museum at 402-472-2642 or visit its website, http://www.museum.unl.edu.

Writer: Dana Ludvik