Nature Nights are back and we’re celebrating with Firefly Night on Thursday, July 15th.
Tangle Movement Arts will captivate with a firefly inspired aerial performance.
Scientist Heather Kostick will talk about the biodiversity of urban cemeteries and how humans use these sites as urban green space.
Join the Penn Museum to learn all about the brilliant bug, the cochineal! Humans love color and have been using nature to create bright pigments for many thousands of years. The ancient Maya created vibrant paints and dyes using the cochineal and this special insect is still used today (in ways that might surprise you)! Examine these special creatures to understand how humans have benefited from their distinct features for centuries. Experiment by creating your own paint from dried cochineal bugs!
Watch for fireflies and spend time in The Woodlands after dark, all while enjoying a sweet treat from the Pop Along Truck. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and a flashlight!
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Consider making a small donation at our information table so that we can continue to grow our programs like Nature Nights!
There will be limited parking available, so consider walking or biking to Nature Night: Firefly Night. Visit our website for more information about getting here.
In case of rain, this event will be rescheduled for Thursday, August 12th in combination with Nature Nights: Bat & Moth Night.
About Heather Kostick: Heather L. Kostick (she/her) is a Doctoral Candidate in Environmental Science and is member of the Ward Lab at Drexel University. She has a Bachelor of Science from Juniata College in Wildlife Conservation, and a Master of Environmental Studies in Ecology from the University of Pennsylvania. Heather’s research interests include conservation, biodiversity, urban ecology, and resource management. She is proud to be a locally born and raised in delco, and that her current research has a local connection that will hopefully be useful to local communities and stakeholders.
About Tangle Movement Arts: Tangle Movement Arts is a circus arts company with a contemporary twist, whose performances mix traditional circus like trapeze and acrobatics with dance, theater, and live music to tell a multi-dimensional story. Tangle’s work is devised collaboratively by its all-female ensemble, and reflects individuals of diverse identities, with an emphasis on queer and female experience. Based in Philadelphia, Tangle has been a Philly FringeArts Festival favorite since its inception in 2011.
About The Penn Museum: Dedicated to building connections between cultures, the Penn Museum welcomes everyone to uncover the past and gain an understanding of our shared humanity. The Museum transforms our understanding of the human experience. With a collection of more than one million objects from across the globe, the Penn Museum is a cultural gem housed in an eclectic building that showcases mixed architectural elements, surrounded by outdoor gardens that provide a peaceful hidden urban oasis. It invites guests to unlock the wonder of the human story—and explore your own place within the arc of history. The Museum offers a wide variety of public programs online and onsite that cater to various ages and interests. Open to everyone, most events are free or pay-what-you-wish. For more information, visit our calendar of events.