Publications_files/FINAL UpClose Fall Winter

Fall/Winter 2008
Volume 9, Number 2
Published Exclusively for Members of Audubon Nature Institute
LOVE BUGS?
You Will!
Discover
Audubon
INSECTARIUM…
Infested with
FUN!
MORE NEWCOMERS:
Leopard cub, cougars,
penguins and more
FALL ADVENTURES:
Boo at the Zoo to Swamp Fest
IMAX® EXPEDITION:
Bugs! 3D
Around
Bugs! on the Big Screen
A New Tribute
to Nature
If you haven’t yet met the newest
member of the Audubon Nature
Institute family, come soon!
Audubon Insectarium pairs insects
with imagination to create a great
family experience you won’t find
anywhere else in the world.
The Insectarium adds a new
dimension to the celebration of
nature to which our facilities are
dedicated. Nature’s very foundation is
built on bugs, and this exciting new
museum is a fitting tribute to all that
insects do for us humans—from
pollinating our food to keeping our
landscapes clean and beautiful.
For the city of New Orleans, the
Insectarium is a vital rebuilding tool
expected to attract more than
350,000 visitors each year. Added to
the hundreds of thousands more who
visit the Aquarium, Entergy IMAX®
Theatre and the Zoo, Insectarium
attendance is contributing to
Audubon’s annual economic impact
of $456 million!
For our members, the Insectarium
is a delightful expansion of Audubon
learning adventures. If you have
already visited the museum, thank
you for coming. If not, we look
forward to seeing you soon. And we
hope you’ll come again and again,
and bring family and friends to enjoy
this amazing new Audubon experience.
Ron Forman
President and CEO
Meet Hierodula, a praying mantis, and Papilio the
butterfly. The stars of Bugs! 3D at Entergy IMAX® Theatre, these
rainforest dwellers help reveal the beautiful, bizarre and beneficial
traits of the insect world. Follow their amazing life cycles from birth
until their predator-versus-prey encounter. Oscar-winning actress
Judi Dench narrates this bug adventure, which features a variety of
insect “actors”—some magnified 250,000 times—and the lush
Asian landscapes of Borneo, the world’s third-largest island. It’s a
breathtaking journey!
Bugs! 3D is presented by Terminix. For show times and
tickets: (504) 581-4629 or AudubonInstitute.org/imax Member
discount: $2 on every ticket. MAKE IT A DOUBLE FEATURE: see Bugs!
3D at IMAX®, then scurry over to Audubon Insectarium for Awards
Night, a multisensory, Oscar-like event in the Terminix Immersion
Theater that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll save $2 on
Insectarium tickets, too! Advance tickets are highly recommended;
order online at AudubonInstitute.org/insectarium.
Fall into
Fast Fact: Did you know
that more than ¾ of the
world’s insects live in
rainforests? A single square
mile of rainforest houses as
many insects as there are
people on Earth!
FUN
Autumn brings much-loved family events to Audubon.
First up is the members-only ZOObilation party Sept. 10
(invites to come; see page 10), followed by Boo at the
Zoo, Oct. 24-26. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 for this
Halloween gathering that’s always cool, never creepy!
(Watch your e-mail for the September @Audubon member
e-newsletter. It will remind you to buy tickets and give you
the scoop on ordering.)
The first weekend of November (Nov. 1 and 2) brings Swamp Fest, with its
exciting lineup of live entertainment on stages across the Zoo. Beausoleil and Terrance
Simien headline! Admission is free to members, so grab your dancin’ shoes and come
hungry…the menu’s Cajun/Creole and every bite’s trés bon! Check out great Cajun crafts,
get up-close-and-personal with swamp critters and enjoy the kind of good family times
you’ll only find in Louisiana—and at Audubon! For complete entertainment info as
Swamp Fest draws nearer, visit AudubonInstitute.org/swampfest.
And there’s MORE! For the full rundown of fall fun to come at Audubon, flip to the
Calendar of Events on the back cover.
JEFF STROUT
STEPHEN WAKELING
Share the Wonder: Volunteer!
Where else can you be a bug ambassador or a volunteer scuba diver? From the Aquarium to the Insectarium to the Zoo,
Audubon volunteers are a highly valued resource, helping to teach our many visitors about the wonders of nature in all of
its forms. For information on volunteer opportunities in every corner of Audubon (including the new teen-powered Team
Insect), go to AudubonInstitute.org/volunteer. Volunteer today…we need you!
JEFF STROUT
Audubon
Meet and Greet:
HEATHER STANLEY
New Faces at Audubon!
Along with the thousands (and
thousands!) of native and exotic
bugs at the newly opened
Insectarium, recent Audubon Nature
Institute newcomers include:
African penguins Millicent (above) and
Nelson, who arrived at the Aquarium from the
Audubon Insectarium
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in Indiana earlier
this summer. Their move was strategic, part of
the Species Survival Plan for African penguins—
one of many such conservation programs
advanced by Audubon and other members
of the national Association of Zoos and
Aquariums. Together, Millicent and Nelson
bring the Aquarium’s African penguin population
to 17. Other Aquarium newcomers include
ribboned seadragons (see back cover) and
colorful pipefish—all found in the recently
retooled Marie Krantz Seahorses Gallery.
Stuff to Know Before You Go
Entrance Address 423 Canal St. at North Peters
(first floor of U.S. Custom House)
Hours: Opens at 10 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Closed
Mondays (except special Mondays like Labor Day, Sept. 1).
Restaurant: Tiny Termite Café, sponsored by Termidor
Termite Defense. Enjoy yummy (bug-free!) soups, salads,
sandwiches and desserts.
Special Presentations: High-definition Awards Night
show presented continuously in the Terminix Immersion
Theater—with special effects to engage all your senses!
Live bug encounters in Field Camp, Bait Shop,
Metamorphosis and The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown
Foundation Butterflies in Flight galleries. Bug Appétit
insect cooking demonstrations (behind the Tiny Termite
Café); free tastings! Also available: Amazing Pictures.
Member Tickets:
(Prices reflect a $2-per-ticket discount!)
Adults (13-65): $13
Children (2-12): $8; children under 2 are free
Seniors (65+): $10
Note: All tickets are for timed entries, each hour on the
hour. Advance purchase is highly recommended. Buy tickets
online (AudubonInstitute.org/insectarium) or at ticket
booths at the Zoo, Aquarium/IMAX® and Insectarium
(ticket booth located across the street at 414 Canal St.).
For more information:
AudubonInstitute.org
WeLoveBugs.org
JEFF STROUT
Lischinka, the Amur leopard cub born
at the Zoo this spring. At home in the Asian Domain with parents Sasha and Sergei,
the little leopard symbolizes hope for the world’s most endangered cat species. A 2007
census showed Amur leopards still teetering on the brink of extinction; fewer than 40
remain in the wild. Their decline is blamed on habitat loss in their native range—the
Amur River valley where Russia meets China and Korea. The Zoo has also welcomed
two cougar cubs. Orphaned in the wilds of Washington State, they’re now residing
in the Lousiana Swamp.
A small herd of rare kids and lambs in the Children’s Zoo contact yard. They
total 14 and represent three rare or endangered species: St. Croix haired sheep, Nigerian
dwarf goats and Gulf Coast sheep. The St. Croix lambs, Emil and Coco, are native to
the Caribbean island that gives name to their species. They’re specially adapted for
warm weather with hair instead of wool. The seven Nigerian dwarf goats are West
African miniatures bred for their excellent milk;
adult males are less than two feet tall, with
females several inches smaller. One of the
Nigerian newcomers, a female named Crafty, will
remain really small due to a genetic mutation. The
Gulf Coast sheep—seven in all—belong to one
of North America’s oldest sheep breeds. They’re
believed to be descended from sheep brought to
America by the Spanish in the 1500s.
“We like to keep the petting zoo stocked
with rare animals because it makes a great
teaching tool,” says Zookeeper Lindsay Maloan.
“Very few people realize that farm animals can
be threatened or endangered.”
LINDSAY MALOAN
Gift shop: Audubon Flea Market (see page 9),
sponsored by The Stanley W. Ray, Jr. Trust. 10 percent
member discount on everything!
3
New Adventure
It’s still the biggest
BUZZ in town!
Audubon
INSECT
Why Bugs?
4
G.W. WILLIS
If you’ve ever squashed a beetle or swatted a fly, you are not alone. Many people consider
insects to be pesky or even scary—basically, creatures we can do without. But nothing is farther
from the truth. Take away the world’s insects, and you take away the world!
“Earth and all of its wildlife is a constant focus of Audubon Nature Institute, where our
purpose is ‘Celebrating the Wonders of Nature.’ As we work to promote environmental
education and wildlife conservation through our facilities, a museum dedicated to insects and
other arthropods is essential to accomplishing our mission,” says Audubon President and CEO
Ron Forman. “No other animal group possesses the incredible population, amazing diversity
and impact of bugs.”
With nearly a million known species (and countless more yet to be discovered), insects have
always ruled our world—in sheer numbers, variety and ecological value. They pollinate flowers
and crops, “till” and enrich our soil, rid our landscapes of rotting carcasses and other organic
waste, control insect pests, and provide us with many items we use every day, from cosmetics
to medicines. Simply put, insects are much too important to be ignored.
As you explore Audubon Insectarium—
and marvel at the phenomenal range of
insect species, body structures, survival
strategies and more—you’ll learn that
while bugs may be small, they are clearly
Nature’s greatest wonders!
Open less than three months, Audubon Insectarium already has hosted 100,000
visitors—including print and broadcast media from around the globe. If you’re not
biggest freestanding museum dedicated to bugs (23,000 square feet). As an
Audubon member, you’ll save on admission…
and quickly discover what all the buzz is about!
TITLE PHOTOS BY DAVID BULL AND G.W. WILLIS
yet in that number, fly on down to Canal Street where you’ll discover the nation’s
TARIUM
A Grand Entrance
nation’s most historic structures blend with modern metal
chandeliers and sculptures created by New Orleans artist
Luis Colmenares.
The lobby leads to the building’s former carriageway, now
lined with displays of live insects and their relatives (giant
banana slugs to cargo-toting ants); way-bigger-than-life bug
models (a fanciful throwback to the giant insects of prehistoric
days); fossilized bugs; and ample life science lessons conveyed
in attention-grabbing ways that no textbook can match.
“Like all Audubon facilities, we designed the Insectarium
to be a magical, memorable learning adventure filled with live
animal encounters, colorful and entertaining graphics, handson interactives and many other fun activities,” says Steve
Dorand, Audubon’s vice president of design and exhibitry. “We
made sure it’s the kind of experience you’ll enjoy the first time,
and every time, you visit.”
STEPHEN WAKELING
“So important are insects and other land-dwelling arthropods that if all were
DAVID BULL
Located at 423 Canal at North Peters Street, the Insectarium
is housed on the ground floor of the U. S. Custom House.
Completed in 1881 after
more than 30 years of
construction delays which
included the Civil War, this
National Historic Landmark
once made New Orleans
second only to New York in
welcoming immigrants to
our country. Today’s
Insectarium visitors are
welcomed in the New
Orleans Marriott Lobby,
where stunning architectural
details from one of the
to disappear, humanity probably could not last more than a few months. Most of
the amphibians, reptiles, birds and animals would crash to extinction….Next
would go the bulk of the flowering plants and with them the physical structure
of most forests…..The land would literally rot…and…return to approximately
its condition in early Paleozoic times…largely devoid of animal life.”
—from The Diversity of Life by E.O. Wilson
5
HEATHER STANLEY
STEPHEN WAKELING
“Bugs are not going to inherit the earth.
They own it now. So we might as well make peace with the landlord.”
—Biologist Thomas Eisner
STEPHEN WAKELING
Termidor Termite Defense
Tricks and tools of
the trade—bug
collecting, that is—
are explored in this
rainforest re-creation.
It’s one of four
Insectarium sites
offering continuous
up-close bug
encounters. Look
for an enthusiastic
entomologist, or bug scientist, standing by at the Dow AgroSciences
education station to regale you with awesome insect tales. “Most
bugs are small and the way to really appreciate them, and learn
about them, is to see them up close,” says Zack Lemann (pictured
above), the Insectarium’s visitor programs manager and nationally
renowned bug chef.
The carriageway ends in this truly one-of-a-kind exhibit which
mirrors a French Quarter street corner. From a Bunny Matthews
comic strip which rewrites New Orleans’ past from a roach’s
perspective, to a candy red Volkswagen beetle that reveals love bugs
revved up for romance (in an exhibit donated by Dr. and Mrs. K.
Barton Farris), this gallery shows a side of New Orleans you’ve never
seen—or at least never thought much about.
This is no doubt the only place on the planet where folks
voluntarily expose bare arms to live mosquitoes (the biteless kind,
of course) and willingly surround themselves with roaches—via the
“bubble” habitat (above) donated by the Pest Control Associations
of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. “This place is fantastic,” says
12-year-old Audubon member Nicholas Rusovich, who was quick to
pop head-first into the roach-infested bubble. “It’s so hands on but
you don’t get dirty. My mom likes that, and she’s glad the roaches
can’t get out!”
Richard C. Colton, Jr.
Termidor Termite Defense
Underground Gallery
Tiny Termite Café
Movie memories of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” will surely come to
mind in this fanciful, oversized environment that represents the
world beneath your feet. Scurry across the soft “soil” and keep an eye
out for whatever lurks ahead! But don’t worry; the bugs in this
habitat aren’t alive—just BIG…100 times normal size to be precise.
Watch out for the giant trap door spider, a fun (and perfectly
harmless) gift from DA Exterminating Co., Inc.
No bugs on the menu here! Savory soups (try the gumbo), salads,
sandwiches and luscious desserts highlight the tasty offerings at this
quick-serve eatery—appointed with a working beehive and distinctive
gift items crafted from beeswax and honey, including fragrant
candles, soaps and lotions. You’ll also find glass-topped dining tables
that double as insect enclosures. Pull up a chair and have lunch with
an Atlas beetle!
JEFF STROUT
Field Camp
STEPHEN WAKELING
Insects of New Orleans
G.W. WILLIS
HEATHER STANLEY
STEPHEN WAKELING
“Human knowledge will be erased from the world’s archives before we possess
the last word that a gnat has to say to us.”
—Henri Fabre, 19th-century “father of modern entomology”
Bug Appétit
go eye-to-eye with diving beetles (without getting wet), and be sure
to stay out of the alligator’s way! Stop by the Bait Shop next door for
more up-close encounters with live bugs.
Directly behind the Tiny Termite Café, you’ll discover a different
kind of culinary experience. For sure, you won’t find food like this
anywhere else in New Orleans! Local celebrity chefs and other
masters of cookery demonstrate what people in distant cultures have
known for centuries: bugs make good, healthy eats! Samples and
recipes are free—from spicy Cajun crickets to hors d’oeuvres topped
with queen ants. But being able to brag to friends that you ate
bugs…now that’s priceless!
Square D Company
Success Stories
Why have bugs survived for
millions of years? The answers
lie here, where the secrets of
insect success are unveiled in
arcade-like activities. Try your
hand at “Build-a-Bug,” but
be careful to pick bug parts
adapted for your habitat.
(Choose wrong, and your
creation is a goner!) Stroll
across a “pit” of scorpions,
compose an insect symphony,
or try to find camouflaged
bugs in nature’s version of
hide-and-seek.
USDA Operation Full Stop
Long before it felt the wrath of Katrina, the city of New Orleans
faced one of its greatest foes: the Formosan subterranean termite.
G.W. WILLIS
In this engaging gallery—themed as a
termite-ravaged home—you’ll learn
how these transplanted foreigners
have taken hold of our historic city,
chewing their way through
architectural treasures and age-old
trees. And you’ll also hear how a
federally funded program known as
Operation Full Stop is helping us win
the war against these ravenous bugs.
The Zemurray Foundation
Louisiana Swamp
Meet the bugs in our own back yard!
Wetland-dwelling insects, spiders and
other native animals are spotlighted in
this simulated swamp environment.
See what thrives inside a rotting log,
JEFF STROUT
Formosan Subterranean Termite Gallery
Terminix
Immersion Theater
Enjoy “Success Stories” while you wait for the show to begin, then
sit back and get set for Awards Night, a multi-sensory adventure
created just for Audubon. This big-screen, high-definition film
echoes the Oscars with superstar bugs who get their due while
special effects repeatedly surprise you! The lively show features the
voices of comedians Brad Garrett, Joan Rivers and others, and a
bevy of original bug characters sure to charm kids of all ages.
Funny stuff!
“The butterfly counts not months but moments,
and has time enough.”
—Rabindranath Tagore
7
DAVID BULL
SUSAN MICELI
Goldring Family Foundation
The Woldenberg Foundation
Hall of Fame Gallery
Nowhere in the Insectarium are the beauty and diversity of bugs
more clearly illustrated than in the rich cherry cabinetry that fills
this awe-inspiring gallery. Revel in the vivid colors and myriad
patterns of butterflies, beetles and other dazzling insects from faraway continents. Check out world champion bugs—biggest, fastest,
strongest and more—and challenge your intellect with “Believe It or
Gnat” insect wonders. Discover your own state bug and the official
insects of other states, too!
Metamorphosis Gallery
Change is a good thing—at least in the insect world where most
inhabitants undergo the amazing process of metamorphosis in one
form or another. Follow the life cycle of a caterpillar until its final
transformation into a butterfly, watch live butterflies emerge from
an exotic collection of chrysalises, get the lowdown on insect dating
and mating, “write” your name in a gorgeous alphabet literally
shaped by insects, and pick up Amazing Pictures. Visit the
Metamorphosis Lab, where entomologists will introduce you to an
intriguing assortment of live bugs, from chemical-spewing
vinegaroons to voracious tobacco hornworms.
Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation
Butterflies in Flight
Traditional Japanese gardens gave inspiration for this serene scene
where a winding path leads past colorful plantings, a koi pond and
a variety of fluttering butterflies. Linger a while in this lovely place,
but when you’re ready to leave, beware of hitchhikers clinging to
your clothes! Many of the butterflies here hail from foreign habitats,
and they’re banned from escape into local landscapes.
G.W. WILLIS
DENNY JUGE
Where do the live bugs in the Insectarium come from? Many are collected by Audubon
entomologists from local swamps and other native habitats. Some are shipped in from
countries around the world, while others are the product of Audubon breeding programs.
But whatever their origin, all begin their Audubon careers in a secluded New Orleans East
lab known as the Insect Rearing Facility (IRF).
Immigrant bugs like African millipedes or Malaysian beetles must come here first for
processing, per a special permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture which approves
the facility for housing non-native insects. Audubon’s IRF team makes sure that the
foreigners never escape into local habitats.
Newcomers destined for the Insectarium are transported downtown aboard Audubon’s
Insect Express—a wildly colorful 2009 Subaru Forester whose lease was donated by
Performance Subaru of New Orleans. Other bugs remain at the IRF as breeding stock.
“Most bugs have short life-spans and replacing them all the time can get expensive. So we
raise as many as possible,” says Jayme Necaise, the Insectarium’s director of animal and
visitor programs. “We’re breeding dozens of insect and other arthropod species and
learning how to culture more all the time.”
Nature takes its course here, with the help of electronic gadgetry that mimics
conditions in the wild. Timed lights create day-to-night cycles, for example, while
thermostats and humidifiers maintain just the right atmosphere.
8
COKIE BAUDER
Behind the Scenes
Forceps become dining utensils at Audubon's
Insect Rearing Facility, where Jayme Necaise feeds
crickets to a giant waterbug.
SUSAN MICELI
The Stanley W. Ray, Jr. Trust
Audubon Flea Market
Choose from a fun, insect-themed array of toys (firefly flashlights
to cuddly stuffed bugs); designer jewelry; picture frames, wrought
iron-and-glass trays and other functional gift items featuring
beautiful preserved butterflies; colorful T-shirts (“Meet the Beetles”
is a popular theme) and much more. And while you’re there, keep
your eye on the store décor—some of those giant bug figures have
moving parts!
For Audubon members like Nicholas’ mom, Suzanne Rusovich,
the Insectarium is a wonderful family experience. “From the
beautiful sconces and chandeliers at the front door to the giant
bugs hanging from the ceilings to the magnificent butterfly
garden at the end, the entire museum is wondrous, intelligent and
fabulous,” she says. “Everywhere you turn, you learn something
interesting through fun and humor.”
As engaging as Audubon Insectarium is for its visitors,
the museum means even more to the city of New Orleans.
It is the first new attraction to open here since Hurricane
Katrina. As a clear and vibrant sign of recovery in a place that
depends heavily on tourism, the Insectarium symbolizes the
spirit of New Orleans—borrowing from bugs, nature’s most
indomitable survivors, in the “we can’t be beaten” kind of way
that guarantees success.
STEPHEN WAKELING
Magic…and More
To achieve our mission goals of education, conservation and family entertainment, Audubon Nature
Institute often partners with individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies who
share our vision. With deepest appreciation, we acknowledge the following partners who have
helped bring Audubon Insectarium from imagination to reality. Thank you, all!
Donors
The Azby Fund
Buginabox.com/Robert Hand
Cleco Corporation
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Coleman
Richard C. Colton, Jr.
Ms. Norma Comeaux
DA Exterminating Co., Inc.
Dow AgroSciences
Dr. and Mrs. K. Barton Farris
The Goldring Family Foundation and
The Woldenberg Foundation
Greater Baton Rouge Pest Control Association
Greater New Orleans Pest Control Association
IBM Corporation
The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown
Foundation
Mr. Travis Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Allan Kanner and Family
The Michael B. Kehoe Family-Succession of
Vallee J. Kehoe
The Lamar Companies
Melissa Lee Richier
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Lemann
New Orleans Marriott
Performance Subaru of New Orleans
The Peter Ricchiuti Family
Square D by Schneider Electric
State of Louisiana
Mr. and Mrs. St. Denis J. Villere
The Stanley W. Ray, Jr. Trust
Termidor Termite Defense
Terminix
U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural
Research Service
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
U.S. Department of the Interior-U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
The Zemurray Foundation
Promotional Sponsors
Central Parking Systems
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
The Lamar Companies
New Orleans Marriott
Special Thanks
Downtown Development District
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
TARANTULA PHOTO BY DAVID BULL; BEETLE PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT
9
Only Members Save at
DAVID BULL
NewstoUse
AUDUBON INSECTARIUM!
tickets are for timed entries (just like at the movies). Insectarium tickets are also available at all
Audubon ticket counters—including the new ticket booth at 414 Canal St., directly across the street
from the Insectarium.
That’s the date of
ZOObilation, four hours
of wild family fun that
kicks off at 3 p.m.
Check out this fabulous
to-do list and don’t miss
a single thing:
Behind-the-scenes
activities
Up-close animal
encounters
Zookeeper chats
Animal feedings
Special kids’ activities
FREE Swamp Shuttle rides
Carousel and simulator
rides (only $1)
And while we’re talking about shopping savings, don't forget the newly revamped Aquarium gift
shop. It’s bigger and better than ever, and your member discount works here, too!
Parking Alert: New Program
Audubon joins Central Parking and Hilton Parking to make parking near the Aquarium, Entergy IMAX®
Theatre and the new Insectarium easy and affordable. Receive a $5 discount on your full parking bill at the
following locations by presenting a same-day validated parking ticket. To receive the discount, you must
have your ticket validated at the Aquarium, IMAX® or Insectarium. This offer is good on any Audubon
operating day, with no time limit on parking hours.
Central Parking: Canal Place Parking Garage, Sugar Parking Lot, Jax Parking Lot
Hilton Parking: Whale Wall Lot on Convention Center Boulevard
Bug Jugs
Visit Audubon Insectarium to discover the
many wonders of bugs! Check out the tips in
the Field Camp gallery and then plan your own
bug-collecting expedition. But first, build a habitat
to keep your new insect buddies alive and healthy.
Observe ’em for a while…then set ’em free!
Materials:
Directions:
two 6-oz cans (tops and contents
removed; tuna cans work great!)
1. Wash and dry cans thoroughly. Paint them your
favorite color.
2. Roll screen into a 12-inch tube. Make it as wide as the
inside of your cans. Use brads to fasten ends together.
3. Mix enough plaster to fill one can, leaving about
¼-inch of space at the top. Set screen down into wet
plaster.
4. Push branch into center of wet plaster. This is a perch
for your insect! Add the bottle cap (open side up) so
your bug will have a watering hole.
5. Use the second can to make a lid for your bug jug. Add
wire handles to the screen for easy carrying if you like!
6. Remember to give your bug food and water. Do
research on the internet to find out what your new
friend likes to eat.
metal mesh screen
(6 x 12-inch)
plastic soft drink bottle cap
Rock wall climbs ($4)
three round-head brass paper
brads
ZOOmobile, AquaVan and
Bugmobile
sturdy stick or branch
Live music on several
stages
10
plaster
paint
wire (optional)
MARK ANDRESEN
Wednesday, Sept. 10.
You can also use your Audubon membership card to save 10 percent on everything at the Audubon
Flea Market, the Insectarium’s fabulously fun gift shop. Make a beeline for this unique store,
sponsored by The Stanley W. Ray, Jr. Trust and filled with insect-themed treasures you won’t find
anywhere else! (See page 9.)
OUR LITTLEST MEMBERS
Calling all Audubon
members…We’re looking
forward to celebrating
YOU at the Zoo on
Plant sale
Buy your Insectarium tickets online anytime (AudubonInstitute.org/insectarium) and save
$2 per ticket with your Audubon membership. Advance purchase is highly recommended, as all
ZOObilation:!
JustForKids
New Date,
Great Fun!
Renew
(or Join!) today and enjoy these great
Membership Benefits all year long as you embark
on exciting expeditions across Audubon.
Befriend a Beetle...
Adopt a Bug!
DAVID BULL
e
Your Passport to Adventure…
More than 30,000 insects and arachnids
inhabit Audubon Insectarium and you're
invited to adopt one! Each one-year
adoption includes a personalized
certificate, color photo, fun facts about
your wild child, and an invitation to a
special parents-only celebration. Choose
from a variety of bugs, plus adoption
packages featuring plush toys—a buzzing
mosquito or ladybug! For full details on
this great new program, visit
AudubonInstitute.org/adoptabug or call
(504) 861-5107.
Unlimited FREE Admission all year to the Zoo AND the Aquarium, each consistently ranked among the
top five facilities of their kind in the country.
$2 savings on Insectarium tickets and IMAX® shows, plus discounts on Chase Zoo-to-Do and other
event tickets, educational programs, kids’ camps, Swamp Train, rock-climbing wall and carousel tickets,
riverboat cruises and gift shop merchandise.
FREE and Discount Parking Parking is free at the Zoo. Save $5 on downtown parking at the following
locations with a validated parking ticket: Central Parking (Canal Place Parking Garage, Sugar Lot, Jax
Brewery Lot) and the Hilton Whale Wall Lot on Convention Center Boulevard. VALIDATION REQUIRED FOR
DISCOUNT. To receive validation, present parking ticket at Aquarium, IMAX® or Insectarium.
Hands-on, Behind-the-Scenes, Members-only events and previews at the Zoo, Aquarium and Entergy
IMAX® Theatre.
FREE Subscription Discover our amazing animals, programs and special happenings with your FREE
one-year subscription to Audubon Up Close, our exclusive, award-winning member publication, and our
monthly e-newsletter, @Audubon.
…Plus More Benefits
Upgrade your membership (see levels below), and collect additional perks to share with
friends and family members. Make your membership card even more valuable!
Individual Free admission and benefits for one named adult.
Individual Plus One Free admission and benefits for 2 named adults at same
address OR 1 adult and 1 guest.
Family Two adults and your children (all living at the same address) and
grandchildren age 21 and under.
Family Plus One Same privileges as a Family Membership, plus 1 guest. This
category can give free admission coverage to your babysitter when visiting
with your kids. (Membership card, brief permission letter from member, and
sitter’s photo ID required on each visit.)
Safari Krewe Same as Family Membership plus 2 guests, 4 one-day guest
passes and babysitter privilege.
✃
Expand your
Wildlife Partner Same as Family Membership plus four guests, eight one-day
guest passes and babysitter privilege. Also: special invitations to VIP events,
discount coupon for the Zoo’s Flamingo Café and a year-long pass for four (4) for
the Zoo’s Swamp Shuttle (Zoo Train).
Golden Eagle Same as Family Membership plus four guests, one free gift
membership and eight one-day guest passes. This category receives the babysitter
privilege. Also, free rides all year on the Zoo Train (for up to four people), special
invitations to VIP events, discount coupon for an Audubon café.
Senior Individual Free admission and benefits for one named adult 65 or over.
Senior Couple Free admission and benefits for two named adults 65 or over
living at the same address.
Paying for your membership in person? For your protection, it is Audubon Nature Institute
policy that we cannot accept personal checks or credit cards without an ID. Memberships
are non-refundable and non-transferable and cannot be applied toward group admission.
Audubon Adventures or Share Them with a Friend!
Member Ser vices Online:
A udubonInstitute.org/members
Check One:
Name _____________________________________________________ Birth Date ____________________
Address ____________________________________________________ Apt. No. _____________________
❑ Renew my membership
❑ Send a gift membership
❑ Upgrade my membership
❑ Change of address only
E-mail address _____________________________________________________________ (please print clearly)
Yes! I want to join at the following level:
Membership ID # (for renewals and change of address) _____________________________________________
❑ Individual
$80
No. of children (21 and under) ________________ No. of grandchildren (21 and under) ______________
❑ Individual Plus One
$105
Gift given by ______________________________________________________________________________
❑ Family
$125
❑ Family Plus One
$150
Method of payment (make checks payable to Audubon Nature Institute)
❑ Check
❑ VISA
❑ MasterCard
❑ American Express
❑ Discover
❑ Safari Krewe
$220
❑ Wildlife Partner
$295
❑ Golden Eagle
$450
City _______________________________________________________ State ____________ Zip _______
Day phone ________________________________ Evening phone _________________________________
❑ Senior Individual
$55
❑ Senior Couple
$70
❑ Add $5 for duplicate card (limit one)
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $____________
Account No. _____________________________________________________ Exp. Date: _______________
Cardholder’s Signature ________________________________________________________________________
Per IRS regulations, all charitable organizations must provide a written disclosure statement concerning quid pro quo contributions
over $75. Our good faith estimate of fair market value of this membership is equal to or greater than the cost of the membership.
Therefore, no part of the membership is tax deductible. Please contact your tax advisor for further guidance.
Please assist us by volunteering your race information:
❑ African American
❑ Asian
❑ Caucasian
❑ Hispanic
❑ Native American
❑ Other
FAX form to 504-861-8954 (confidential). Or join by phone (504-861-5105), mail (Audubon Nature Institute, P.O. Box 4327, New Orleans, LA 70178) or online: AudubonInstitute.org/members
DAVID BULL
ZACK LEMANN
JEFF STROUT
CALENDAR OF EVENTSFor more information on Audubon events, log on to AudubonInstitute.org/calendar
Sept. 1
Labor Day, All Facilities Open
Enjoy this special Monday opening at the Aquarium/IMAX®, Insectarium
and Zoo. And say “Happy Birthday!” to the Aquarium, which turns 18
on Labor Day!
Sept. 10
ZOObilation, Zoo
A new date for this annual Zoo party. MEMBERS ONLY! See page 10.
October 8
Adopt-an-Animal Parent Celebration, Aquarium
Visit your wild child (and oh so many others!) from 4-6 p.m. and learn from
our animal experts. If you adopted an Aquarium or Insectarium animal between
Sept. 1, 2007 and Aug. 31, 2008, this party’s for you! Watch for your invite.
Dec. 25
Christmas Day, all Audubon facilities CLOSED.
Dec. 29
Special Monday Opening, All Facilities
Make the magic of holiday togetherness last longer with a family trip to Audubon
the Monday after Christmas! Invite all your visiting relatives and friends to enjoy
adventures at the Aquarium/IMAX®, Insectarium or Zoo.
Dec. 31
Noon Year’s Eve, Zoo
Don’t miss the annual kids’ countdown to the New Year! Audubon and Radio
Disney present special fun that includes a non-alcoholic toast at noon, live music
and other free-with-admission activities. For more info (available closer to event
date): call (504) 581-4629 or visit AudubonInstitute.org/calendar
Oct. 24-26
Boo at the Zoo
Why is this event always a sellout? Because it’s the most Halloween fun you can
have—Ghost Train, trick-or-treating, games and more! Tickets go on sale Sept. 1;
first-come, first-served to all. Watch AudubonInstitute.org for ordering info. Your
next issue of @Audubon will fill you in, too!
Jan. 1, 2009
New Year’s Day, all Audubon facilities open. Happy New Year!
Nov. 1, 2
Louisiana Swamp Fest, Zoo
One of Louisiana’s most popular festivals! Swamp Fest draws include live music
by top Louisiana bands, endless dancing, scrumptious food and unique crafts—
everything you need to immerse yourself in Cajun joie de vivre. And the best part:
Swamp Fest is FREE with Audubon member admission! Go to
AudubonInstitute.org/swampfest for the full entertainment line-up.
NEW! Critter Care Classes—Sept. 20 (guinea pigs and rodents);
Oct. 18 (snakes and lizards)
NEW! Zoo Bookclub for adults—Sept. 17, Oct. 13, Nov. 12
Parents’ Night Out—Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13
Bug Club—Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 15, Dec. 13
Toddlers@10—Four sessions, Sept. 16-Dec. 20
Safari After Dark—Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. 6
Breakfast with the Animals—Oct. 25, Nov. 22
Holiday Camps—Thanksgiving Camp (Nov. 24-26); Winter Camp I
(Dec. 22-23); and Winter Camp II (Dec. 29-31)
Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Day, all Audubon facilities CLOSED.
Dec. 1
Holiday Shopping Day, Zoo Marketplace
This members-only event features a 25 percent discount on everything in
the Zoo’s premier shop, Audubon Marketplace. Free gift wrap, too! Don’t miss
this one-day-a-year savings opportunity; every other day your member discount
(at ALL Audubon gift shops) is 10 percent.
Audubon UpClose
President/CEO
Ron Forman
On the Cover: The intricate body structures
of the paper wasp and other insects plays a
key role in their survival. Discover the
wonders of bugs at Audubon Insectarium.
Photo by David Bull.
LEARNING ADVENTURES: Members save on all!
At the
At the
ZOO:
AQUARIUM:
Breakfast with the Sharks—Oct. 18
Oceanfest—Oct. 17, 18
America Recycles Day Event—Nov. 15
Breakfast with the Penguins—Dec. 13
For program details and registration: AudubonInstitute.org/education.
Or call (504) 861-5103 for Zoo programs; (504) 378-2719 for Aquarium programs.
Director of Member Services
Lani McWilliams
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
New Orleans, LA
Permit #1046
Editor/Writer
Maria Ward McIntosh
Art Direction and Design
Design III
P. O. Box 4327
New Orleans, LA 70178-4327
Photographer
Forwarding Service Requested
Jeff Strout
Award-winning Audubon UpClose
is published by Audubon Nature
Institute as an exclusive benefit for its
members. For more information,
contact Lani McWilliams, Member
Services, P. O. Box 4327, New
Orleans, LA 70178. (504) 861-5105.
AudubonInstitute.org