Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Backyard Fun

Several annoucements for fun at the big park next door arrived today. We sure have it good in Ruston!

Link to campout registration

__________________________
 


July 23, 2013
 
Contact:     
Chris Erlich, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, (253) 591-5339; chrise@tacomaparks.com 
Lane Sample, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, (253) 591-5339; lanes@tacomaparks.com
Nancy Johnson, Metro Parks Tacoma communications manager, 253-226-4530; nancyj@tacomparks.com
.
 
Fort Nisqually Brigade Encampment Re-Creates Arrival of Fur Brigade
 
Live the 1850s life with more than 100 re-enactors August 10 and 11 during one of the largest events of the year at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, located in Point Defiance Park.
 
The annual Brigade Encampment recreates the bustle and excitement of the historic visit of fur traders to the Fort in 1855. The event will take place 11 am to 5 pm both days. For admission and more information, visit FortNisqually.org or call (253) 591-5339.
 
“Visitors will be completely surrounded by authentic sights and sounds of the past,” said Fort Nisqually Education Curator Mike McGuire. “There are plenty of opportunities for members of the public to participate in this exciting event.”
 
The Fort’s newest exhibit, “Escape, Intrigue and a Shot of Whisky,” also opens during this event. The exhibit looks at the life and legacy of John McLeod, an HBC employee who became the patriarch of a large Pierce County family that included fur traders, American settlers and Native Americans.
 
Visitors will witness the arrival of the fur trading brigade and spirited contests between trappers and traders – from races to tomahawk throwing. Families can participate in "EngagĂ© for the Day," visiting with re-enactors at their tents and receiving hands-on lessons on period skills such as flint and steel fire starting and spinning wool. There will be live fiddle music, a chance to dance, Punch and Judy puppet shows, and an1850s cooking contest.
 
McGuire explained that once each year, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) collected all its furs from the region in one place, usually Fort Vancouver. In 1855, HBC traders were instructed to bring their goods to Fort Nisqually instead. From Fort Nisqually, more than 16,000 furs — bear, badger, beaver, fisher, fox, marten, mink, muskrat, otter, and wolf — were shipped to England.
 
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a restoration of the Hudson’s Bay Company outpost on Puget Sound. Visitors travel back in time and experience life in Washington Territory during the Fur Trade era. Nine buildings are open to the public, including the Granary and the Factors House, both National Historic Landmarks, and a Visitor Center with Museum Store. For information and admission, call (253) 591-5339 or go online to fortnisqually.org
_____________________________
 
Tiger Conservation Weekend: July 27 - July 28
 
 
Saving wild tigers is so important we are setting aside two days – July 27 and 28 – to celebrate the species, provide fun activities for the public and launch a month-long fundraiser. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is blessed to have six tigers on grounds, and all of them will be on exhibit during the weekend.

The superstars of the weekend are Sumatran tigers Malosi, 4; Jaya, 10; Bima, 3; Dumai, 11 months; and Kali, 3 months. Malayan tiger, Berani, 11 months.

A few of the planned activities are:

  • Tiger and You Photo Op: Well, it will be a stuffed, tiger. But it’s about 5 feet long and 3 feet tall. Volunteers will have special outfits, like junior zookeeper clothes or tiger field biologist wear, which kids can put on when they stand next to the tiger.
  • How Much Can A Tiger Eat? View an array of artificial steaks on a table to guess how much food a tiger might eat at one sitting.
  • Tiger Take Out: Test your strength by dragging a tire in just the same way a tiger would carry off its prey for safe keeping.
  • Fun with Fur: Check out photographs of animal fur and identify tigers, clouded leopards and other big cats.
  • Tigers of the World: Map the home of tigers living today.
  • Web of Life: Build a web and see how people are connected to tigers of the world.
Tiger enrichments take place in the Asia exhibits on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.      

And here’s a little-known fact: Tigers are among nature’s most excellent swimmers and can easily cross rivers and lakes five miles wide.

To promote water safety among humans, representatives from MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center, will be at the zoo with a life jacket try-on station and a kids’ fishing activity. MultiCare Mary Bridge is the presenting sponsor of Tiger Conservation Weekend. 

Help Us Save Tigers
The world’s tigers are vanishing from the wild at an alarming rate. Poaching and human encroachment on tiger habitat are pushing these magnificent animals toward extinction.

The race to save these critically endangered species is urgent - and we would love your help! All of the money raised will go directly to support Wildlife Conservation Society efforts to stop poaching in Southeast Asia, reduce human-tiger conflict and provide veterinary care to tigers caught in snares.

HOW TO DONATE

By phone 
253.404.3657 
 
By mail
The Zoo Society
The Race to Save Tigers
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407 
 
In person
Zoo’s Asian Forest Sanctuary during tiger Conservation Weekend

Learn more about Sumatran tigers and Kali, our new tiger cub.
 

No comments: