Scientist Greg Pauly says one of the species found here, the Western pond turtle, is struggling to adapt to human intrusions on its environment.
“150 years ago, before there were very many people here, all of the streams were just seasonal streams," said Pauly. "And the Western pond turtle loved that habitat. And with people, we've changed the habitat. There's a lot more permanent water like this pond here.”
And he says this changing habitat is one of the reasons the numbers of this species are declining.
Some of the new construction includes a soaring glass atrium at the museum's North campus entrance, with a glass-lined pedestrian bridge leading into it. Architect Fabian Kremkus, a German immigrant, says the white steel arches of the walkway were inspired by whale bones.
“What I remember from my childhood visiting the Frisian Islands, that whaling captains would erect, when they retired, the biggest set of jawbones that they hunted," said Kremkus. "And so this is reminiscent of that and takes a cue from making a nice new entrance for the Natural History Museum.
Today, city children have little contact with nature, and the outdoor display will change that, says landscape designer Mia Lehrer.
“What does it mean to see what strawberry plants look like, that they don't come from a container in the store? And a tomato … children have been asked, where does ketchup come from? They don't know," said Lehrer.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25