Sustainable Sundays

Go Green with the Experts and Fellow L.A. Residents

Think Global. Act Local. Sustainable Sundays takes that familiar phrase and turns it into an engaging, creative day that shines light on a host of conservation issues and helps connect visitors with organizations dedicated to environmental causes.

We invite you and your family to take part in this stimulating monthly series, bringing together Museum staff, local organizations, and guest researchers to lead activities, demonstrations, and workshops.

Sustainable Sundays is a forum for bringing Museum visitors together with experts to create a lively, constructive discussion on finding green, innovative local solutions to far-reaching global problems, from climate change and water conservation, to land use, to preserving our environment, and protecting Earth's biodiversity.

If knowledge is power, Sustainable Sundays is your key to turning that power into action. 

Upcoming Events:

 Innovations in Sustainability

Sunday, January 27, 2013  |   9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden)
Together with partnering organizations we will explore clever ways Angelenos are re-envisioning our city and the land that surrounds them by tackling fun DIY projects.

Partnering organizations: Theodore Payne, Tree People, Children's Nature Institute, LA Green Grounds, NHM Citizen Science projects, James Rojas, Community Services Unlimited, Naiyma Houston with Upper Hand To College.

Workshop: Fruit Tree Pruning, with Linda Eremita, (Tree People), 10 am-1 pm

Learn how to prune fruit trees during this hands-on workshop. We will explain why, when and how to prune various types of fruit trees as we care for the new orchard in the Museum’s Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden. We encourage you to bring pruning tools and work gloves if you have them. You must be at least 16 years old to participate.

Cost: Free with Museum admission or membership. Space is limited, for registration please contact (213) 763-ED4U or educate@nhm.org.

Resilient Lives

Sunday, February 24, 2013  |  9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden)

As our environments change how do we adapt and lead healthy lives? We will take a look at the ways some animals have adapted and how they navigate their ever-changing environments. Join today for a rare opportunity to meet live falcons up close! Falcon Force llc, Bird Abatement Services will showcase several beautiful falcons in our new garden space. Additionally, get inspired by local and resilient grass roots organizations during relevant activities. 

Partnering organizations: Children's Nature Institute, Falcon Force llc Bird Abatement Services, NHM Taxidermist Tim Bovard, Theodore Payne, Tree People, NHM Citizen Science projects, NHM Polychaete expert Leslie Harris.  

Workshop: Insects of L.A.: A Citizen Science Adventure with Richard Smart and Lisa Gonzalez, 1-3 pm.

There are over 4,000 species of insects living in Los Angeles, but so many more are waiting to be discovered, and the museum needs YOUR help! Join us for an exciting and educational workshop that will introduce two insect-focused Citizen Science initiatives, BioSCAN (Biodiversity: Science, City, and Nature) and the Lost Ladybug Project. Come learn about the different ways you can participate as a Citizen Scientist, explore, and take a photos in the Museum's new gardens, and help us identify insects in a behind-the-scenes, hands-on laboratory setting!

Cost: Free with Museum admission or membership. Space is limited, for registration please contact (213)763-ED4U or educate@nhm.org.

Clever Ways To Consume

Sunday, March 24, 2013, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden)

Everyone eats, drinks, and uses resources. Just two days after World Water Day we will explore easy-to-adapt ways to use water and land wisely, and same money along the way.

Partnering organizations: Tree People, Theodore Payne Foundation, Children's Nature Institute, CalTech's Juice From Juice project, NHM Polychaetes expert Leslie Harris, Community Services Unlimited.  

Workshop: Hands-on introduction to grey-water systems with Leigh Jerrard  1pm-4pm

Greywater is lightly used water from bathtubs, showers, and laundry that can be recaptured and used for landscape irrigation. Using greywater saves water, saves money, reduces your energy footprint, preserves California’s aquatic ecosystems, reduces load on sewer and septic systems, keeps phosphates and nitrogen out of the bay, and replenishes local aquifers. Plants love it, and it’s now perfectly legal!

Leigh Jerrard of Greywater Corps will be leading a hands-on workshop where you will learn all about greywater, including how to install your own washing-machine greywater system and start saving thousands of gallons!

Cost: Free with paid Museum admission or membership. For registration please contact (213) 763-ED4U or educate@nhm.org.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Earth Day) 

Sunday, April 21, 2013  |  9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden)

In celebratiojn of Earth Day see how your neighbors and local organizations are creatively repurposing household items, turning yard waste into compost, and reducing their carbon footprints.

Partnering organizations: Theodore Payne Foundation, Tree People, Children's Nature Institute, LA Green Grounds, NHM Citizen Science projects, NHM's Polychaetes expert Leslie Harris.

Workshop: Composting, with Sheri Powell-Wolff. 10 am- 12 pm 
In this composting workshop you will learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into gardeners gold. Bring your questions and a notebook and get ready to learn how to reduce your waste stream and improve your soil. Making your own compost provides you with free organic fertilizer and allows you to recycle yard trimmings and kitchen waste.
 

Cost: Free with Museum admission or membership. Space is limited, for registration please contact (213)763-ED4U or educate@nhm.org.

Getting on Common Ground 

Sunday, May 26, 2013  |  9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden) 
 

From community gardens to local collaborations, Angelenos are actively becoming involved in urban agriculture and out-of-the-box projects. Together with our partnering organizations we will become inspired by ways people are re-shaping L.A. 

Partnering organizations: Tree People, National Park Service, Children's Nature Institute, LA Green Grounds, UCCE Master Gardeners, NHM Entomology expert Anna Holden, NHM Citizen Science projects.

Workshop: Spice up your life! with Florence Nishida  10 am-12 pm

Spice up your cooking and expand your taste experiences by learning how to make new spice and herb mixtures. Using familiar as well as new herbs from the museum's Home Garden, we'll chop, grind and then taste a variety of aromatic, savory, and beautiful blends.

Cost: Members $10, Nonmembers $15 
You can register online or contact us via educate@nhm.org. 

LA Locals 

Sunday, June 23, 2013  |  9:30 am - 5 pm
Natural History Museum (Grand Foyer, Level 1, Erika J. Glazer Family Edible Garden, 1913 Garden) 

Los Angeles is an urban biodiversity hotspot! Encounter some of our wildlife in NHM's newest garden spaces and talk with organizations that help support a more sustainable L.A. 

Partnering organizations: Theodore Payne Foundation, Tree People, LA Makers, UCCE Master Gardeners, Children's Nature Institute, Honey Love, NHM Polychaetes expert Leslie Harris, NHM Entomology expert Anna Holden, NHM Citizen Science projects.

Workshop: Re-envisioning L.A. Gardens, with Carol Bornstein and Richard Hayden. 10am-12pm.

Join the Museum's horticultural experts for a look at landscaping with California native plants. They will share design ideas for incorporating natives into your garden no matter what style, plus tips for keeping the composition beautiful and vibrant year-round.

Cost: Members $10, Nonmembers $15 
You can register online or contact us via educate@nhm.org.

For more information on Sustainable Sundays please contact Vanessa Vobis at (213) 763-3471 or vvobis@nhm.org.