Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History invites visitors to “Get their game on” in the new “Amazing Pollinators” special exhibition opening Jan. 25, 2020. Guests can become their favorite pollinators and embark on up to 48 short missions throughout a colorful maze in this immersive exhibit that highlights pollinators’ benefits to earth’s ecosystems. A station outside the maze includes educational parlor games with a twist such as mason bee mancala and invasive species shuffleboard. Admission is $8 for adults, $7…

The Florida Museum of Natural History will present an orientation for adults interested in learning more about volunteering Jan. 29, 2020, from 3 to 5 p.m. The program is designed to help participants identify the best match for their interests and abilities. Volunteers serve as exhibit guides for school groups and other museum visitors or work in the collections and research departments. Pre-registration is required, and volunteers must be 18 years or older. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/volunteer-orientation or call…

The Florida Museum of Natural History is hosting two instructional butterfly pinning workshops on Feb. 1 and 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. In addition to learning the process of pinning and preserving butterflies, participants will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Florida Museum “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit and Lepidoptera collections, and a large exotic butterfly or moth specimen to take home. The program fee per workshop is $35 for non-members or $30 for museum members and includes all materials. Participants…

Join the Florida Museum of Natural History on Feb. 8, 2020, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and be transported into a tropical paradise! Enjoy a fabulous evening of dinner, entertainment and dancing. Proceeds support museum programs. For more information, to purchase tickets or make a donation, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/passport or call 352-273-2047.

Spend Valentine's eve at the Florida Museum of Natural History playing trivia. Come with a partner, friends or by yourself to experience this singles-friendly event. The museum will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. for program participants. Trivia begins at 7:30 p.m. and the winning team will receive a prize. Pre-registration is required and closes Feb. 11. Participants must be 18 years or older. Program fee is $30 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/a-valentines-night-at-the-museum or…

Celebrate “International Women and Girls in Science Day” at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Explore the world of pottery mending, learn about animal training and see live bees and turtles during this free public event. Hear from Jenny Tung, associate professor of biology at Duke University, and participate in cool experiments with local scientists. While the event activities are free, there is an admission charge for the “Amazing Pollinators” and…

The Florida Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute will host free film screenings and panel discussions about the importance and conservation of our state’s water. The first film, “Water’s Journey: The Hidden Rivers of Florida,” will be shown Feb. 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees can take part in an engaging discussion and meet local organizations as part of the series. This event is free, but pre-registration is encouraged. Food and beverages…

Dig into geology and discover the Earth at your feet during this free, fun-for-all-ages geology event! Presented in partnership with the University of Florida department of geological sciences and the Gainesville Gem and Mineral Society, enjoy hands-on activities on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Watch demonstrations of volcanic eruptions and experience an augmented reality sandbox, fossil dig and more. While the event activities are free, there is an admission charge for the “Amazing Pollinators” and “Butterfly Rainforest”…

UPDATE: The Florida Museum’s Shake Your Honey Maker 5K has gone VIRTUAL! Due to public health concerns, we have decided to make the 5K a virtual race. Everyone already registered and who participates will still get their shirt and medal, avoid the crowds and get to race from anywhere. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/5k or call 352-273-2055. Registration is still open for the Shake Your Honey Maker 5K race on March 21, 2020, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Late or race-day registration…

The Florida Museum of Natural History and University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute will host “Science on Tap: Reptiles” at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. on April 2, 2020, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The presentation featuring Coleman Sheehy, Florida Museum herpetology collections manager, is part of the series “Is Florida Trying to Kill Me?” For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/sot-reptiles or call 352-273-2062.

The Florida Museum of Natural History will host a large sale with more than 150 species of difficult-to-find and pollinator-friendly plants April 3–4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. Accent, host, native and nectar plants will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the museum’s “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/spring-plant-sale or call (352) 273-2057.

The Florida Museum of Natural History invites adults and children on the autism spectrum, including their friends, families and caregivers, to visit the museum before-hours on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This special opportunity allows participants to explore at their own pace in a peaceful and less-crowded environment. In addition, a separate quiet space will be available to decompress or desensitize. All members of the autism spectrum disorder community are invited to attend. For more information, visit…

The Florida Public Archaeology Network will lead a free Historic Bike Tour beginning at the Florida Museum of Natural History from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 29. This family-friendly workshop gives participants an opportunity to learn about the archaeological sites and historic features on the University of Florida campus. The ride begins promptly at 2 p.m. so please check in at the Florida Museum picnic tables by 1:45 p.m. Pre-registration is required and guests must bring their own bikes.…

Snap the picture of a lifetime April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Florida Museum of Natural History’s “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit, featuring more than 50 species at any given time. During this special event, use tripods and other photographic equipment not usually permitted. The fee is $40, or $35 for museum members, and includes exhibit admission. Pre-registration is required and closes April 17. Participants must be 18 years or older. For more information or to register, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/photo-workshop…

Artists and designers are invited to visit the Florida Museum of Natural History after hours for SciArt Meetups to explore exhibits and create art inspired by Florida nature and culture! With partners Santa Fe College Art Gallery and Wayfaring Painter, join the museum on April 21 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for a brief art or science presentation about the art of book and papermaking and how it can be used in science. The program fee is $7 per person…

Artists and designers are invited to visit the Florida Museum of Natural History after hours for SciArt Meetups to explore exhibits and create art inspired by Florida nature and culture! With partners Santa Fe College Art Gallery and Wayfaring Painter, join the museum on March 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for a brief art or science presentation on influential female scientific illustrators throughout history. The program fee is $7 per person and includes a working studio space and after-hours…

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day at the Florida Museum of Natural History and beyond. This daylong event features activities at the Florida Museum and around Gainesville. Meet experts in the field, take part in excursions and learn what can be done to make a difference. For more information and a list of activities, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/earth-day or call 352-273-2064.

The Florida Museum of Natural History invites home-schooled students to participate in guided programs on April 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students may explore the “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit, investigate specimens up close, participate in hands-on activities and tour exhibits with museum docents. For pricing information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/homeschool-rainforest or call 352-273-2036.

Florida Museum of Natural History visitors can find answers during an afternoon of discovery on May 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants for “Ask a Scientist: Hot Topics in Science” may talk one-on-one with researchers and learn about the latest topics and findings in the science world. For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/science-topics or call 352-273-2062.