Social Science, Nature's Dark Side

Join us for an evening of science, art, conversation, and the fascinating darker side of nature. Wander through our interactive stations at your own pace to see, touch, watch, and talk about some of the stranger sides of the natural world.

The Art of Afterlife
Local high school science teacher, Ali Horejsi will demonstrate the art and science of taxidermy and describe how animals are preserved for research and education.

Windows to the Dark
Observe or assist (you choose!) local veterinarian Mary McKie and high school science teacher Laura Unterholzner during a live cow eye dissection, uncovering the fascinating adaptations that give these bovine creatures excellent night vision.

Nature’s Clean-Up Crew
Meet artist Alyia Crystal, who has found an unexpected creative partner in nature: dermestid beetles. Watch her beetle colony in action as it cleans the bones she transforms into intricate works of art, bringing beauty and education to the circle of life.

Sounds That Stop You Dead
With Quarry Hill Naturalist Kelsey Moe, tune in to the sounds of the night: haunting calls, eerie rustles, and cries from the nocturnal world. Test your instincts as you try to match each unsettling sound to its source—friend or foe? familiar or mysterious?—during this outdoor round of trivia!

This isn't a lecture or a formal program. It's a night for curious adults and anyone who knows a thing or two about the fascinating, unsettling, and downright weird things happening in the natural world.

Because the darker side of nature isn't really dark at all—it’s full of intriguing science, unexpected beauty, and some seriously strange adaptations.

• Open House from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Must be ages 21 + to enter
• Trivia is outdoors in the pond pavilion - bring your gear.
• Beverages will be served.