A Visit to the Natural History Museum of Utah
Hi everyone! Welcome to the NHH-UT monthly blog; we are so excited to integrate this into our website and monthly newsletter. We hope this blog provides exciting entries on all things nature and human health. From museum visits to interviews with community organizations, we want to create a casual yet informative space for discussion. Please send any suggestions for content or events you may want us to cover in a blog post. Happy Reading!
Have you been to the Natural History Museum of Utah? This is your sign that you should schedule your next visit! At NHH-UT, we talk a lot about how to integrate more time in nature into our everyday lives. We also discuss how to still experience the benefits of nature without necessarily being in nature. Visiting the NHMU is the perfect activity to boost your serotonin and overall mood without being outdoors. Take advantage of this if you're searching for a new nature fix!
When I was 10 years old, my elementary school did a project called the "wax museum." Essentially, everyone in the 5th grade chose a public figure to research and write a speech as if we were that person. I chose Jane Goodall. Anyone who wanted to hear my presentation would "wake me up" by pressing my stuffed chimpanzee prop. I was so proud to pretend that, for a few hours, I was someone as incredible and influential as Jane Goodall.
Little did I know that 14 years later, I would be taking a day to visit the NHMU and explore the Jane Goodall Exhibition
The exhibit covers areas of Jane's life from early childhood through the present day and everything in between. For those of you who may not know, Jane Goodall is a renowned English primatologist and anthropologist who began her journey based on a childhood fascination with wildlife. Her dreams evolved into about 60 years of groundbreaking research that redefined species conservation. She has dedicated her life to communicating the importance of protection and conservation and humans and the environment's significant role. She continues to travel the world, sharing her explorations and discoveries. She also highlights the environmental threats chimpanzees face, ultimately prompting everyone to take accountability and inspire change to see global resilience for all living things.
Jane's draw to the wild paved the path for many people to foster their relationship with nature. For Jane, curiosity sparked her passion for Chimpanzees. For you, this may be feeling the sun's rays on your face or seeing the biggest snowflake of the winter season. Big or small, any experience in nature creates the opportunity to build a relationship and a deeper appreciation for the great outdoors. Jane emphasizes reciprocity and how important it is that humans take care of all other living things, and in return, they will take care of us.
I left feeling inspired to continue having conversations about creating space for everyone to find their place in nature. I really encourage you all to check out this exhibit and reflect on your own relationship with nature.
I also had the chance to walk through the Climate of Hope initiative exhibit at the NHMU. The exhibition aims to inspire local people to work toward resilient living through climate change. Climate of Hope tells the story of climate progress we see every day in Utah.
I appreciated the overall tone of the Climate of Hope exhibit. There were messages about innovation, positivity, hope, and curiosity. Some photos and activities included a call for ideas and individuals who could spark change or momentum in the fight against climate change. There were continuous efforts to highlight the importance of working together as a community to see some radical changes within Utah and worldwide.
I had a wonderful time exploring both exhibits at the NHMU. The museum offers many other exhibits, from rocks and minerals to ecosystem breakdowns, native voices, dinosaurs, and more! The NHMU also provides free admission to University of Utah students, faculty, and alumni! Tickets are also available for purchase for a variety of time slots. I cannot express how unique this experience was, and I hope you all make it over to the museum soon.
