The Bell Museum of Natural History will host a public memorial program on September 20 in honor of Harrison "Bud" Tordoff, the University of Minnesota professor and Bell Museum director credited with the peregrine falcon's comeback. The evening-long memorial event and reception will feature a presentation by colleagues and friends on Tordoff's life and legacy. A receiving line will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the presentation at 5:45 p.m. followed by a reception. For more information about the tribute, call (612) 624-4112. In conjunction with the event, the museum will host an exhibit about peregrine falcons and their recovery from Saturday, Sept. 13 through Saturday, Sept. 21. The exhibit, developed by the Bell Museum in cooperation with the University's Raptor Center, features dioramas, interactive displays, and art illustrating the uplifting story of the bird's comeback and the people who helped.

From engravings by 18^th century naturalists to the digitized photographs of today’s most celebrated wildlife photographers, the legacy of natural history art in America comes alive in “Art of the Wild,” an exhibit featuring Minnesota’s Federal Duck Stamp winners, opening October 7. The exhibit kicks off a month of activities across Minnesota and the country honoring the 75^th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp program, the country’s oldest, most prestigious wildlife art competition. “Art of the Wild” features more than 100 original paintings, illustrations, watercolors and photographs from regional and national artists and features original paintings by Minnesota’s 15 duck stamp artists, the highest number of awardees in the country, including Francie Lee Jaques, David Maass, Daniel Smith and James, Joseph and Robert Hautman. The exhibit’s opening reception, “Honoring 75 Years of the Federal Duck Stamp Program,” will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 7 and will feature remarks by William Webster, founder and retired CEO of the art publishing company Wild Wings, and Joe Hautman, the artist featured on this year’s 75^th anniversary Federal Duck Stamp.

Wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski, whose book, The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World, is helping bring world-wide attention to the plight of polar bears as a result of global warming, will speak in the Bell Museum’s auditorium. Kazlowski’s photographs of polar bears trapped on shrinking ice flows have become an iconic visual symbol of possible extinction brought about by global warming. The author will share his images, observations, and stories from his life in the arctic, as well as his ideas on how to reverse the tide of global warming and sustain hope. A reception and book signing will follow. The event is co-sponsored by the Alaska Wilderness League, Como Park and Conservatory, and Braided River/The Mountaineers Books.

Why does a lion have a mane? Does the King of Beasts need his mane for protection, or is it a signal of his power and fitness? University of Minnesota researchers Craig Packer and Peyton West were the first to test these two theories—and their research reveals surprising facts about the mane’s true purpose and its role in attracting a mate.

Minnesota’s Big Woods has thrived for hundreds of years in a region dominated by prairies. University of Minnesota geologist Bryan Shuman is discovering that changes in the climate a long time ago may have given trees an advantage over prairies. Tag along into the field and then enter a research lab to discover climate change clues in the layers of mud from the bottom of a lake.

Mimicry is a sophisticated and captivating phenomenon in biology. In what ways have organisms evolved to mimic the perceived characteristics of other living things? Why do Tiger Moths mimic wasps and what role does this ability play in their reproductive success? Join evolutionary biologist and new interim Bell Museum Director Susan Weller for an in depth look at these complex insects.

How do humans and animals comprehend music and what role does it play in our evolutionary history? Psychologist Joshua McDermott will discuss how experiments in human and animal perception provide insight into the origin of music.

We're disappointed by Governor Pawlenty's decision to veto funding for a new Bell Museum, but we remain encouraged and grateful for the support the Minnesota Legislature, University leadership and citizens around the state have shown the project. Please visit this page for updates on the building project and news about our continuing campaign to build a new home for Minnesota’s natural history museum.