BIOLOGIST FEATURED IN NEW IMAX® FILM WILL SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH LEMURS ON APRIL 17 AT THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK

Dr. Patricia Wright, the trailblazing scientist featured in the new IMAX^® movie “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar,” will talk about her work with these endangered primates in a special presentation on Thurs., April 17 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

 Dr. Wright, a professor of biological anthropology at Stony Brook University on Long Island, is an expert on lemurs and the people and environment of Madagascar. The new IMAX movie, which opens at The Maritime Aquarium on April 4, blends two stories: the unique natural history of lemurs and Wright’s lifelong mission to help the strange and adorable creatures survive in the modern world.

“Dr. Wright is going to be in very high demand because of this wonderful new movie, so we feel especially fortunate to be able to welcome her so close to the premiere,” said Jennifer Herring, president of The Maritime Aquarium. “We’re sure she’ll have lots of amazing stories about lemurs and a compelling conservation message.”

The 7:30 p.m. talk will be followed by a screening of “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar.”  Tickets are $20 ($16 for Aquarium members).

It’s an exciting year for Dr. Wright. Aside from being the featured scientist in a new IMAX movie, she is one of six finalists for the 2014 Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. (The winner will be announced this summer.)

“Our finalists are among the most important wildlife conservationists working in the field today,” said Michael Crowther, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, which initiated the Indianapolis Prize. “They are achieving real victories in saving animal species, creating hope and making the world a better place.”

Early in her career, Wright made history when she discovered the golden bamboo lemur, a species that was then unknown to science. The find helped to catalyze the formation of Madagascar’s park system. A short time later, Wright learned that timber exploiters were logging the golden bamboo lemur’s rain-forest habitat, so she spent months trekking to define park boundaries with the forestry service and securing funding to develop Ranomafana National Park (RNP). Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, RNP encompasses the home of 12 lemur species, some of which are listed among the world’s most endangered animals.

During the last 20 years, public awareness of Madagascar’s ecosystem has flourished through Dr. Wright’s research and outreach efforts. Her long-term relationship with the local communities in Madagascar has catalyzed economic opportunities around the park. Tourist visits to the park increased from zero to more than 30,000 in 2010, and half the park entrance fees have always been returned to the villages for conservation projects.

Recently, she spearheaded the creation of Centre ValBio, a huge preserve that is a modern hub for multidisciplinary research, training and public awareness, the first in Madagascar.

The IMAX movie “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar” reunites writer-producer Drew Fellman, filmmaker David Douglas and narrator Morgan Freeman from the 2011 IMAX movie “Born to Be Wild,” which follows efforts to reintroduce orphaned baby orangutans and elephants into their natural environment. Beginning an unprecedented fourth year at The Maritime Aquarium, “Born to Be Wild” is one of the Norwalk attraction’s most popular IMAX films ever.

Like “Born to Be Wild,” “Island of the Lemurs: Madagascar” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Entertainment.  It’s rated G.

To reserve tickets for Dr. Patricia Wright’s lecture on April 17 or for the daily screenings of “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar” beginning April 4, go to www.maritimeaquarium.orgwww.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

Saltana Caves a perfect place to Unwind

In Europe and Asia, salt caves are well known for their healing powers. Visitors to Litchfield Hills can experience the healing and wellness powers of a salt cave at Saltana Cave Spa, at the junction of Rte. 7 and Rte. 35 on 590 Danbury Rd. in Ridgefield located between Danbury and Norwalk. Here you will experience the European tradition and health benefits of a salt cave. http://saltanacave.com

Entering the salt cave at Saltana Cave Spa you are surrounded with tons of pink and tan hued health healing Himalayan salt crystals. The salt is underfoot and the crystals are literally and beautifully embedded in the walls.  The room glows with a warm pink light that induces immediate relaxation.

Saltana Caves offers speleotherapy better known as salt cave therapy as well as halotherapy, a special treatment that uses a salt vapor. Halotherapy is reputed to treat respiratory ailments, skin irritations and is said to combat mental lethargy.   As you get settled in zero gravity chairs the first thing you will notice is that you are entirely surrounded by salt, the cave even has a glimmering salt fireplace.

 Imperceptibly dry aerosol salt vapor is pumped into the air and is accompanied by a tape that details the health benefits of the salt minerals that surround you. Soft new age music follows the introduction to salt cave therapy and is perfect to unwind to.  A highly regarded benefit of salt cave therapy is the naturally produced negative ions that are said to reduce stress, headaches, and lethargy. 

 Cave sessions last about 45 minutes and run on the hour from noon to 7 p.m. (last session at 6 p.m.) from Tuesday – Friday. On Sat. the Cave is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Sessions for children one to eight take place Tuesday - Friday at 12 noon and 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to be signed in.  Call (203) 969-4327 for reservations.  For more information http://saltanacave.com

Several area hotels have packages with Saltana including Danbury Crowne Plaza that offers a package with a salt treatment for one through December 31, 2014 starting at $144 inclusive of overnight stay and salt cave treatment for one. Additional passes for the salt cave experience can be purchased. Call the Crowne Plaza for 203-794-0600 for reservations.

For area information www.visitlitchfieldhills.com

April Fun at Audubon Greenwich

Spring gets into full swing in April at Audubon Greenwich.  There are many family fun events taking place here that will provide fun for the whole family.

On Saturday, April 12, for example,two exciting walks are planned. The Ponds and Vernal Pools walk will teach you how to search for salamanders, frogs and more and will take place from 2 p.m. – 3:30.  All ages are welcome on this walk. RSVP is required so call Ted Gilman at 203-869-5272 x230 to reserve your spot.  

There is also a springtime sunset and moonlight walk from 7:45 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.  Participants will seek out the sights, sounds, and smells of a spring evening visiting field, pond, forest, and lake in search of wildlife. Participants will also listen overhead and look up at the moon in search of silhouettes of night-flying springtime bird migrants. This walk is good for kids Ages 7 and up. Space is limited and an RSVP is required to Ted at 203-869-5272 x230.

 The month of April is ends with two events. The first is a documentary film, called Unacceptable Levels from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday April 26. Learn more about common chemicals, how their effects can be more profound on children than on adults, and how the Conn. General Assembly’s Children’s Committee has proposed legislation, “An Act Concerning Children’s Products and Chemicals of High Concern,” which, if passed, could authorize studies that will guide recommendations to protect children. This event is suitable for adults and interested youth. Location: Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library (101 W Putnam Ave). Call Jeff Cordulack at 203-869-5272 x239 with questions and RSVPs are appreciated to greenwichcenter@audubon.org.

 On Sunday, April 27, there will be a Nature Art Class with Adriana Rostovsky from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  This class will show participants how to create textures and collages with nature’s treasures found outdoors. These sessions will focus on using natural items like cones, pods and seed heads to create nature-themed decorations. All ages’ welcome. $25 for first two people; $5 per additional participant. RSVP and advance payment required to greenwichcenter@audubon.org or Jeff at 203-869-5272 x239.

Greenwich Audubon is located on 613 Riversville Rd in Greenwich Connecticut. For more information visit greenwichcenter@audubon.orggreenwichcenter@audubon.org. For information on Fairfield County www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Looking for Daffodils in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County

We are looking for the first signs of Spring in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County so we decided to watch for daffodils that herald spring with their bright yellow blooms.  We expect spring's blooming bonanza to erupt in color over the next three or four weeks.

In the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut thousands of daffodils will bloom in the next three to four weeks over ten acres of woodlands and fields at Laurel Ridge Foundation in Northfield and we will be there to check their progress.

A walk among the daffodils at Laurel Ridge Foundation is a rare early spring outing in an unspoiled oasis. The wild natural landscape of gently sloping woodland, fields and aged stonewalls overlooks a small lake dotted with two tiny islands. The park land and one of the islands is completely carpeted with gold and white blossoms, a glorious sight that is nirvana for photographers.

In Fairfield County we are keeping tabs on Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton CT. Most daffodils here are found on the historic property surrounding the Visitor Center. You will also find them in open fields and growing alongside the site's many stone walls.

Once the home and workplace of J. Alden Weir (1852-1919), Weir Farm is now considered to be the best preserved landscape associated with American Impressionism.

White Memorial Foundation located off of Rte. 202 is the State's largest nature sanctuary that offers a series of nature related programs that will intrigue and educate young and old alike.

On April 5 for examples, there is a llama walk with Deb Elias from Country Quilt Llama Farms.  This is your chance to walk a llama and find out how easy it is. Along the walk you will also learn all kinds of llama information. This is appropriate for children and adults. Sign-ups are necessary with a limit of 10 people per walk. 1:00 P.M., Meet in the Museum parking lot. $15.00 per person. Register directly through Deb by calling 860-672-2753 or emailing cqlf6@hotmail.com. A portion of the fee will be donated to White Memorial.

April 12 begins with a bird language club event with Andy Dobos and Deneen Berier that will help participants identify bird songs and their meanings. Bird language is the study of the songs, calls and body language of birds and other animals giving their running commentary of the world around them. Among other things, they announce the presence of predators and threats. Birders, hunters, photographers and outdoors people can use this understanding to move through the landscape without disturbing the wildlife they came to see as well as predicting the arrival of other animals.

While the club may spend some time observing birds to identify their species, it is not the focus of the club. The goal is to recognize the baseline of a specific area and what any change may indicate. The benefit of returning to the same location allows them to observe the impact of the progressing season. They invite participants in the club to share their knowledge so that  all grow in this new and exciting understanding of how we relate to our environment.

The club's event will take place outside sitting very still so bring an outdoor chair and warm clothes along with a notebook and binoculars. Meet in front of the A.B. Ceder Room, 7:00 A.M. — 10:00 A.M., Members: $15.00 Non-members: $20.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

On April 12, White Memorial is offering a road trip to the Studio of Wood Turner Bodger Richard Heys. Participants will admire the stunning work of Mr. Heys that includes decorative and utilitarian wooden bowls, vases, lidded vessels and sculptural objects made on the lathe and/or by carving. Evolving from a hobby in the early 1990s to a serious pursuit since he retired from a career in chemistry research in 2005, his work aims to reflect both the skills of the craft and an aesthetic response to the character of the wood. Heys obtains most of his wood locally from stormfelled or otherwise unwanted trees. Meet in front of the A.B. Ceder Room at 9:45 A.M. and join the carpool that sets off at 10:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M.  This event is limited to 10 people. Pre-registration is required. FREE...Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center's programming expenses.

Also, on April 12, Reggie Delarm, a Connecticut native, and potter for over 40 years comes to White Memorial Foundation from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. The incomparable Reggie Delarm will be demonstrating wheel thrown bird houses on her 1800s wooden treadle wheel. Her wooden treadle wheel is a replica wheel of local potter Hervey Brooks from Goshen CT. Foot-powered, hand-made wooden wheels were used throughout New England even after the invention of electricity!

Reggie will make a variety of birdhouses on her wheel. Round houses, face houses, and carrot houses are her specialty.

After the demonstration, you will learn to make little hand-made fairy garden pinch houses. These cute little clay houses will look great in a terrarium, garden, or around your yard. Clay houses must be fired. Reggie will fire your little pinch house at her studio. You can return to White Memorial to pick them up one week later.

This event will be held in the . B. Ceder Room, and is $30.00 per person which includes all materials and firing. Limited to 10 participants ages 8 and up. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

To finish off April 12, there will be an evening with photographer and musician Gary Melnysyn, a Conservation Center favorite that has been delivering delicious photography programs and workshops to us for several years. Tonight he will share with you some of his favorite wildlife photographs BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE...he will also break out the guitar and sing for you! This man has many hidden talents! Come out for a tasty potluck supper and an evening of music and nature unlike any other! BYOB and a pot luck dish plus your own place setting! 6:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Members: $20.00 Non-members: $25.00 Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

For Litchfield Hills information www.litchfieldhills.com and for information on White Memorial Conservation www.whitememorialcc.org

Ride a Vintage Train to Visit the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny will once again pay a visit to the Danbury Railway Museum and you can take a ride in a vintage train through the historic railyard to visit him.   This popular annual family event will take place on Saturday & Sunday, April 12 & 13, and Friday & Saturday, April 18 & 19.  Museum hours are 10:00-4:30 on Friday and Saturday; noon-4:30 on Sunday.  Trains leave every 30 minutes from 12:30 to 3:30.  Admission is $10.00 (age 2 and over); each child will receive a small gift from the Bunny.  Reservations are suggested and may be made by visiting the museum’s Web site at http://www.danburyrail.org

The short train ride in a fully-restored 1953 New Haven RR Rail Diesel Car (Budd RDC), will take visitors past the fully operational turntable, over 70 vintage railroad cars and locomotives, and many unique pieces of railroad history, including a Boston & Maine steam locomotive built in 1907.  The train ride will stop at the Easter Bunny’s special railroad car. The museum’s beautifully restored circa-1910 Railway Post Office (RPO) car will also be open.  Of course, the exhibits inside the restored 1903 Danbury station will be open, along with a coloring station, temporary tattoos, Thomas® play table, and the operating model train layouts.  A fully-stocked gift shop will also be open.  

 The Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit organization, staffed solely by volunteers, and is dedicated to the preservation of, and education about, railroad history.  The museum is located in the restored 1903 Danbury Station and rail yard at 120 White Street, Danbury, CT.  For further information, visit the Web site at http://www.danburyrail.org, email info@danburyrail.org, or call the museum at 203-778-8337.