Have you ever pondered how Amazonian creatures conquer the relentless annual rainfall? Are you curious about the female bison’s spring escapade with her calves in the North American Prairie? Or perhaps you’ve always secretly wanted to measure yourself against a taxidermied polar bear, wondering who stands taller?
These wild wonders and more come alive at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, which is unveiling the rebirth of its International Wildlife Gallery with a new exhibit, Biomes Beyond Borders.
Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in the diverse narratives of ecosystems that span the globe. The exhibit offers a profound exploration of the intricate connections that weave through our daily existence and the ecosystems that envelop our planet. Digital projections and ambient sounds plunge visitors into environments that are exclusive to each distinct biome.
Museum co-executive director Kate Porter is looking forward to seeing visitors re-engaging and becoming inspired. “The tech team continues to evolve the concept with us, and the projections are changing ever so slightly. There’s Easter eggs for repeat visitors,” she says.
Porter suggests when people hear “Natural History Museum,” they assume it to be a traditional institution. But Biomes Beyond Borders meets the evolving expectations of the community, and looks to create moments of childlike wonder.
The core of the exhibit’s development comes from local efforts. Many of the taxidermied specimens are donated by community members who may have been part of a club, hunting enthusiasts looking to downsize, or others who inherited them from a family member. Whatever the case may be, the museum shares these specimens with the public for conservation and education purposes—through a true community effort.
Porter and co-director Laurie Thomas and their staff also partnered with three UNLV associate professors in residence—Sean Neiswenter, Jennifer Utz and Jef Jaeger—to figure out how to create a story line in the exhibit that would engage people of all ages.
“The thing that I love about some of the scientists that we worked with is that they were so passionate about this that they showed up with dissertation-level research,” says Porter. “It was so interesting, but we [thought, let’s] fit it on a sign and not overwhelm the public. Let’s pare it down.”
And soon, there will be a digital component visitors can use to delve further into the research.
Beyond Biomes Beyond Borders, the 40,000-square-foot, 32-year-old museum Downtown on Las Vegas Boulevard boasts diverse galleries focusing on marine life, prehistoric life, Egyptian treasures, Wild Nevada and more, offering a comprehensive exploration of natural history. Monthly programming is constantly adjusting and offers science and art-related events for children of all ages.
It’s well worth setting a chunk of your day aside to fully experience the rich education and entertainment that Las Vegas Natural History Museum has to offer.
BIOMES BEYOND BORDERS Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 702-384-3466, lvnhm.org.
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