GREG PAULY: "You know, one hundred fifty years ago, before there were very many people here, all the streams were just seasonal streams. And the western pond turtle loved that habitat. And with people, we have changed the habitat."

Today, he says, there is a lot more permanent water, like a pond at the Natural History Museum itself. And he says the changing habitat is one reason why western pond turtles are shrinking in number.

In addition to science lessons, the open-air exhibit can provide contact with nature in a way that some city children rarely get.

Landscape architect Mia Lehrer says children can get real-life answers to questions they may be wondering about.

MIA LEHRER: "What does it mean to see what strawberry plants look like, that they do not come from a container in the store? And a tomato -- children have been asked, 'Where does ketchup come from?' They do not know."

Only parts of the new outdoor campus are open now. But Karen Wise says more changes are coming. Ms. Wise is the museum's vice president for education and exhibits.

KAREN WISE: "Now we are opening up the whole museum, making it an indoor-outdoor experience, so that our visitors can be a part of the experience."

The work is expected to be completed by June of twenty-thirteen. Next year is the museum's one hundredth anniversary.

And that's the VOA Special English Education Report. You can watch a video about the new outdoor exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County at voaspecialenglish.com. You can also read, listen and learn English with our programs and activities. I'm Bob Doughty.