Earth Day Celebration and Clean-Up April 18, 2009

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is throwing a party for the planet, and you’re invited! On April 18, learn about ways to protect Mother Nature during the aquarium’s annual Earth Day celebration, then join staff and other volunteers at Bluff Point State Park on April 19 for a coastal clean-up.

Saturday’s Earth Day celebration at the aquarium includes “green-minded” activities and crafts, such as an interactive game focusing on the correct way to recycle and a lesson on turning broken crayons into an artistic creation. Guests will also help select the winner of the aquarium’s first-ever scrap art sculpture contest, featuring marine-related art created from recycled materials by community members.

Also on Saturday, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., attend a family-friendly Amphibian Monitoring Project training session to learn how to identify and count the local frog, toad and salamander populations this spring and summer. This data is sent to the Department of Environmental Protection to monitor populations and determine whether the numbers are indicative of environmental conditions and change.

On Sunday, roll up your sleeves and help aquarium staff and other community volunteers clean up Bluff Point State Park in Groton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for the free Amphibian Monitoring Project training session and the clean-up. Call (860) 572-5955 ext. 520 or go to www.mysticaquarium.org under “Fun and Learning, Spring and Summer Programs for Families” to register.

Celebration: April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT

Clean-up: April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bluff Point State Park, Depot Rd., Groton, CT

COST: Earth Day celebration is free with aquarium admission: Adults $24, seniors $21, children (ages 3 to 17) $18, free for children 2 and under.

The clean-up is free, but registration is required. Call (860) 572-5955 ext. 520 or register at www.mysticaquarium.org under “Fun and Learning, Spring and Summer Programs for Families.”

For more information, call (860) 572-5955 or e-mail info@mysticaquarium.org.

Official Website: http://mysticaquarium.org/FUNLEARNING/SpringSummerProgramsforChildrenandFamilies/ProgramsforFamilies/tabid/486/Default.aspx