If you have some time, make sure to go over to visit our friends at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter to see their new exhibit "SNOW" now on display! The exhibit is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm through May 5.
This hands-on science exhibition is about the nature and wonder of snow and the impact of climate change on our snowy planet. The highly interactive and immersive exhibition follows snow’s journey from tiny crystals to vast winter landscapes to abundant spring snowmelt. Guests explore how snow shapes and sustains life on Earth, snow’s vital role in sustaining our water supply and cooling our planet, and the cultural and personal value of snow. Snow was developed and produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) as part of a collaborative project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and funded by the National Science Foundation.
Visitors will peek inside the snowpack to discover how it changes over time and the animals that live there, get an up-close look at snow crystals as they walk through a snowstorm, and experience how snow impacts us on cultural and personal levels through unique stories. They’ll also learn about the various factors affecting snowpack across the globe and what we can do to keep these important crystals falling from the sky.
“We have been following OMSI’s beautiful, highly interactive, and science-grounded traveling exhibition program for some time. When they announced an exhibition all about snow we jumped at the opportunity to host something so fun and locally relevant. Our community here is dependent on snow and we couldn’t be more excited to highlight the fascinating and wonderful world of snow,” says Hunter Klingensmith, Swaner’s Director of Visitor Experience and Exhibits.
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter will pair this exhibition with additional programming to provide our community with ways to experience Utah’s wonderful snow from new perspectives and further learn about snow science. From snowshoe tours under the full moon to a lecture all about glaciers to a competitive snow-themed trivia night, there will be “snow” many fun activities for all ages to enjoy!
Regular entry for SNOW is $8 for those ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 3-12, and free for ages 0-2. Members of Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter receive discounted admission to the exhibit. Or anyone can visit for free on January 28, February 21, March 22 and April 27 thanks to generous sponsors!