The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is inviting nominations for the 2020 Oregon Stewardship Award. Spearheaded in 2017 by the museum's advisory council, the award recognizes an environmental or cultural heritage project that involves the community and aligns with the museum's mission to inspire stewardship of our past, present, and future. The $1,000 award includes public recognition at the museum's annual dinner in April and in the Oregon Heroes section of our Explore Oregon exhibit. Online nominations open Thursday, January 2 at https://mnch.uoregon.edu/learn/oregon-stewardship-award and will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31.

On view September 7, 2019 through February 20, 2020 Experience the grit and daring of North America’s gay rodeo circuit. Blake Little’s arresting black-and-white photographs explore the athleticism, artistry, and camaraderie of a time-honored LGBTQIA tradition while celebrating the complex nature of identity and community in the West. A program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Racing to Change chronicles the civil rights movement in Eugene, Oregon, during the 1960s and 1970s—a time of great upheaval, conflict, and celebration as new voices clashed with traditional organizations of power. Co-developed by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Oregon Black Pioneers, the exhibit illuminates legacies of racism and the unceasing efforts of Oregon's Black communities to bring about change. Through photographs, recorded interviews, and historical archives, Racing to Change explores how racist policies and attitudes created a pressing need for bold civil rights activism in Eugene. Firsthand accounts from movement organizers, former UO students, elected officials, and other members of Oregon's black communities paint a vivid picture of the area's past, and urge us to take part in building a more just future. On view through May 10, 2020.

Join Eric Richardson, executive director of the Eugene Springfield NAACP, for an evening of jazz performances and a discussion of the role of jazz music in the American civil rights movement. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Last year, Governor Kate Brown proclaimed January 26 as Cascadia Preparedness Day, highlighting the need to prepare Oregon for an expected 9.0-magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone. Join us on this year's Preparedness Day for a quake-focused Walk & Talk through the Explore Oregon exhibit. We'll dig into plate tectonics, tsunami science, and more. Talks begin at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Are you ready to stay safe during a disaster? Join us for a family-friendly round of SURVIVAL BINGO and find out! From earthquakes to wildfires to tsunamis, we'll BINGO our way toward readiness and resilience, learning about disaster strategies and supplies as we compete for fun prizes. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Quench your thirst—for knowledge and for beer—at Ideas on Tap, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History's monthly pub talk. This month, join University of Oregon political scientist Debra Thompson for Return: Race, Democracy, and the Boundaries of Belonging in North America. Drawing on her connections to Black America as well as Canada, where many enslaved Black Americans fled, Thompson will explore how time and geography influence our understandings of race, inviting us to reconsider ideas of home, belonging, diaspora, and democracy. Admission is free and food and beverages are available for purchase. Learn more at mnch.uoregon.edu/learn/ideas-on-tap.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History offers free admission on the first Friday of the month. Investigate Oregon's amazing fossils and ecosystems, and delve into its cultural history—from the First Americans at Paisley Caves to the dynamic cultures of today's Tribes.

Join us on the second Saturday of the month and dig into activities that will spark your child's curiosity about our past, present, and future. In February, we're celebrating Charles Darwin's birthday by showing how much We Love Science! Join us for a fun exploration of "how we know what we know" thanks to research, experiments, and more. You can even make a valentine for your favorite scientist. A drop-in event, Second Saturday is perfect for children ages three and up with an accompanying adult. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Charles Darwin's birthday meets Valentine's Day during the museum store's annual Love Science sale! From barware and jewelry to books and toys, we've got a science-themed gift for every Valentine on your list. Take 10 percent off all non-consignment purchases (20 percent off for museum members and UO faculty and staff), and receive a free tote bag with your purchase of $50 or more. Admission to the museum store is always free.

Join us in celebrating Charles Darwin's birthday and his legacy of intellectual courage. Enjoy a science-focused Walk & Talk through our exhibits plus birthday cupcakes—all included with regular admission. Talks begin at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Purchase an individual or family museum membership on Darwin Day and get 20 percent off! Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

In this farcical, intentionally inept PowerPoint presentation, Portland's premier drag clown Carla Rossi dons her persona as Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Metaphysical & Digestive Clown Research to offer findings on the art world, camp aesthetics, and (naturally) their correlation to ancient human sacrifice. You'll laugh along as Carla lampoons the sometimes disingenuous realm of art theory and inspires us to think about why we look at art and its subjects the way we do. The performance will be followed by a longer, sincere artist talk—with Anthony Hudson taking over from underneath the clown makeup—followed by Q&A and conversation with the audience, for a two-hour total engagement. Cosponsored by the University of Oregon Office of the President, LGBT Education and Support Services, Department of Art, and Department of the History of Art and Architecture, with additional support from Carolee von Shillagh. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Now on the third Friday of the month! You and your child are invited to learn and play at the museum during our monthly Little Wonders event. This month’s theme is Playing in the Rain, with fun crafts and science activities about clouds, rain storms, and rainbows. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Quench your thirst—for knowledge and for beer—at Ideas on Tap, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History's monthly pub talk. This month, join University of Oregon human physiology professor Andy Karduna for Where is My Arm?—a discussion about proprioception, or how we know where our body is in space. Admission is free and food and beverages are available for purchase. Learn more at mnch.uoregon.edu/learn/ideas-on-tap.

What might we learn from the people living on climate change’s front lines about the future that we share? In this talk, Elizabeth Rush will speak about a small community on the eastern shore of Staten Island—a place that Hurricane Sandy both undid and remade from the ground up—investigating the storm's aftermath and the radical decisions residents made about how to overcome their shared vulnerability. She will give voice to those who have been traditionally left out of environmental discourse and how we might make the conversation more whole moving forward. Elizabeth Rush is the author of Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore and Still Lifes from a Vanishing City: Essays and Photographs from Yangon, Myanmar. Her writing has appeared or is forthcoming in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Gaurdian, Harper’s, The Atlantic, Pacific Standard, and the New Republic, among others. She is the recipient of fellowships and grants including the Howard Foundation Fellowship, awarded by Brown University; the Society for Environmental Journalism Grant; the Metcalf Institute Climate Change Adaptation Fellowship; and the Science in Society Award from the National Association of Science Writers. She received her MFA in nonfiction from Southern New Hampshire University, and teaches creative nonfiction at Brown University.

Hightail it to the museum for a track and field competition like no other—with cheetahs, kangaroos, chimps, and other mammals all going for gold! From the javelin throw to the high jump, learn which animals would triumph on the track, and explore the amazing adaptations that make it all possible. Through colorful displays and interactive stations, you’ll delve into TrackTown culture, learn about health and fitness research happening at the University of Oregon, and be inspired to move your body toward optimal wellness. On view through August 30, 2020 Grand Opening Weekend: Join us for a weekend-long celebration of animal athletes! Explore the new exhibit, create your own animal crafts, and get moving with track & field-inspired activities at this family friendly event. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount. Not a current member? New memberships are available for 20 percent off throughout the weekend. Visit mnch.uoregon.edu for details.

Celebrate Women's History Month with a panel of legendary female athletes. Bev Smith, Becky Sisley, Lois Youngen, and Grace Golden will reflect on their experiences as athletes, coaches, and advocates for women in sports. Moderated by Peg Rees, past director of Physical Education at the University of Oregon, the panel will be followed by an audience-driven discussion. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount. More about the panelists: Bev Smith is a three-time Olympian and former UO women’s basketball player and coach. Becky Sisley is a USATF Masters American and world record holder. Lois Youngen was a player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Grace Golden is a Becky L. Sisley Awardee and the Program Director and Clinical Research Coordinator for the Graduate Athletic Training Program, UO Department of Physiology.

Join us on the second Saturday of the month and dig into activities that will spark your child's curiosity about our past, present, and future. In March, we'll have Fun with Fossils, exploring the amazing stories of the giant spiked-tooth salmon and other animals from Oregon's deep past. A drop-in event, Second Saturday is perfect for children ages three and up with an accompanying adult. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Now on the third Friday of the month! You and your child are invited to learn and play at the museum during our monthly Little Wonders event. This month's theme is Fascinating Flowers. Enjoy crafts, games, and a story about one of nature's most beautiful things. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

In partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History is proud to offer a four-day interpretive guide training course. The training focuses on planning and presenting programs for visitors at interpretive sites like museums, nature centers, parks, zoos, and historic sites. It also provides powerful communication tools for teachers, law/code enforcement officers, librarians, and anyone who works with members of the public to capture attention, explain a resource or idea, and inspire positive action on the part of an audience. The nationally recognized Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) program is designed for anyone in the interpretive field. Whether you’re a new hire, a professional looking to refresh your skills, or beginning a second career, this course will aid you in improving your presentation techniques. The course combines the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical strategies in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors. Space is limited. Preregistration is required. Register online at NAI's website: https://www.interpnet.com/nai/nai/_events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CIG032420

Quench your thirst—for knowledge and for beer—at Ideas on Tap, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History's monthly pub talk. This month, join David Markowitz, assistant professor in the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, for The Truth About Dishonesty, a discussion of how deception plays a fundamental role in our lives—from how we date to how we use language, and why detecting deception is such a challenge. Admission is free and food and beverages are available for purchase. Learn more at mnch.uoregon.edu/learn/ideas-on-tap.

Social hour: 5:30 p.m. Dinner and talk: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Giustina Ballroom Join us for an evening of food, drink, and conservation science! Enjoy live music and drinks during the social hour, then sit down to a three-course dinner as Edward Davis takes us on a journey into Oregon's deep past—highlighting what fossils can teach us about our present and future ecosystems. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. Each ticket includes hors d'oeuvres, a three-course dinner, and wine. A vegetarian dinner option is available. Tickets are $80 for MNCH members and $95 for the public. Tables of eight are available for $600 and include two MNCH family memberships to give as gifts. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 541-346-1671 or email rhyde@uoregon.edu.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Smithsonian affiliates across the nation are proud to join in this collective celebration of conservation, biodiversity, and Earth Optimism. Enjoy free admission for two when you present a #MuseumDay ticket, available for download beginning February 27 at www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday.

Join Lyllye Reynolds-Parker, Deborah Reynolds, Elder Roy Samuels, Jennifer Broadous-Scurlock, and Callan Coleman as they share stories from Eugene's civil rights years and their ongoing experiences as members of Eugene's Black community. Moderated by Oregon Black Pioneers President Willie Richardson, the panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Join us on the second Saturday of the month and dig into activities that will spark your child's curiosity about our past, present, and future. In April, we'll gear up for Earth Day 2020 with a celebration of our Beloved Earth. Through science experiments and hands-on fun, you can explore what makes our planet so special—and learn how we can keep it that way. A drop-in event, Second Saturday is perfect for children ages three and up with an accompanying adult. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Now on the third Friday of the month! You and your child are invited to learn and play at the museum during our monthly Little Wonders event. This month's theme is Earth Day! Come learn about how we can care for our planet through games, crafts, and a reading of the Dr. Seuss classic The Lorax. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Join us in celebrating our home planet—and the people who steward it—with an afternoon of Earth science Walk & Talks, plus Earth Day cupcakes. Walk & Talks begin at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Join Eric Ward, executive director of the Western States Center and a national expert on the history of hate violence, for an examination of hate groups in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. What are the impacts of these groups on People of Color, other minorities, and our democratic institutions? What actions we can take to counter the hate? Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

The University of Oregon Climate Change Research Group and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History present the 9th annual Climate Change Research Symposium, showcasing scholarship from multiple disciplines on climate-related issues. The symposium features research by UO faculty, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates. It’s open to the public as well as the UO community, and admission is free. Learn more at climatechange.uoregon.edu.