fbpx

Junior Naturalist

Alabama’s rivers and other freshwater habitats have more aquatic animal species than any other state. Freshwater mussels are an important part of this biological diversity. These animals have beautiful shells of many shapes and colors and help maintain healthy ecosystems. Dr. Carla Atkinson’s research group at The University of Alabama works to study Alabama’s freshwater mussels so we can understand where they live and how they interact with the environment. Learn about one of Alabama’s most unique natural resources as we interactively explore the diversity of mussels that live here, and how researchers at UA keep track of the number and diversity of mussels that live in the rivers and streams of Alabama.

This program is geared for Grades K-5.

Date/Time

Our Junior Naturalist Program is available on February 25, 2023 from 10:30-12:00 PM.

Cost

The cost for this program is $8 per child and adult pair.

How to Register

Fill out our online form to pre-register.

For questions, contact Joyia Davis at joyia.davis@ua.edu or 205-348-6383.

Location

The Junior Naturalist program will be located at the Alabama Museum of Natural History (Smith Hall, The University of Alabama).

Directions

From Birmingham: Take Interstate 20/59 S to Tuscaloosa exit 73, McFarland Blvd. Head West on McFarland Blvd toward the University of Alabama. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).

From Montgomery: Take Hwy 82 W to Tuscaloosa. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).

ALMNH Parking Map
ALMNH Parking Map

Parking

The map below shows the closest free and paid parking areas (VW Beetles) on the UA campus to Smith Hall (ALMNH logo) that can be used by museum visitors. There are five dedicated visitor parking spaces in the lot behind Smith Hall that can be accessed from Hackberry Drive. Upon arrival, once you pay for admission, you will receive a parking pass receipt that will entitle you to free parking in our museum visitor parking spaces. In addition, there is a parking deck located at Campus Drive and Hackberry Lane. The cost for visitor parking in the deck is $1 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour.  To reach the parking deck, take Hackberry Lane to Campus Drive East, and the parking deck is on the right.

Public Transportation

The Tuscaloosa Trolley runs from the city’s downtown parking deck to campus.

Visit the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority website to find the downtown deck and a map of the trolley’s University Shuttle Route.

Refunds and Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation on the part of the museum, either (1) a transfer of previously paid registration to an alternate day or (2) a full refund will be offered.

In the event of a trip cancellation on the part of the registrant, participants will be either (1) refunded 50% of their registration fee up to three business days prior to the program or (2) a transfer of previously paid registration to an alternate program day. no refunds will be offered less than three business days before the reserved program.

For questions, contact Joyia Davis at joyia.davis@ua.edu or 205-348- 6383.