HOUSTON, TX — Spring is in full bloom at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this April. Soak in the season with live animal encounters at the touch tank, grab some fresh treats at the Farmer’s Market, and join in on our Earth Day celebrations. Our top five HMNS happenings in April are sure to offer up some lively and nature-filled experiences.
Check out our website for our full schedule of events and exhibitions.
- Exhibition: Touch Tank Encounter
HMNS Hermann Park | Now through May 12
Observe and gently interact with cownose rays, Atlantic rays, epaulette sharks, and a host of marine invertebrates.
Our touch tank brings an interactive dimension to your marine exploration. See live sharks, feel the surprising textures of rays, the armor-like surface of crabs, and the velvety resilience of starfish. This tactile experience serves as a compelling reminder of the variety and intricacy of evolutionary adaptations in the aquatic world.
We hope to sea you soon for this fin-tastic experience!
- Exhibition: The Great Elephant Migration
HMNS Hermann Park | April 1 – April 30
The Great Elephant Migration is the journey of 100 Indian elephants who are sharing their story across the US, to amplify Indigenous knowledge and worldviews, and inspire the human race to share space.
The elephants are made from lantana camara, one of the world’s top invasive weeds. This fast growing, noxious shrub has a stranglehold on 300,000 sq. kilometers of India’s Protected Areas. Lantana pushes animals out of their forest homes into urban areas leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict. The use of lantana to create the elephants helps remove the weed from protected areas, leaving wildlife more space to roam.
The Great Elephant Migration is a free public art exhibit.
- Event: April Farmers Market
HMNS Hermann Park | Sunday, April 6 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Braeswood Farmers Market will be setting up shop on the Museum Sundial Plaza on April 6 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free to attend and get 20% off any membership level when you purchase from the HMNS plant sale table or one of the vendors.
- Exhibition: GAIA by Luke Jerram
HMNS Hermann Park | On display from April 18 – April 27
Marvel at the beauty of our planet the way only astronauts can. Created by guest favorite Luke Jerram, this magnificent 23-foot diameter sculpture gracefully hovers above you in the Grand Hall, a sight that promises to captivate your senses and ignite a deep appreciation for the beauty of our Earth.
HMNS Hermann Park | Tuesday, April 22 | 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join us in celebrating Earth Day and discover ways to make a difference in our community. Explore with our friends from Hermann Park and learn how you can contribute to local environmental efforts. HMNS volunteers will lead hands-on activities in Glassell Hall, while interactive touch carts throughout the museum will highlight the impact we have on our planet.
Try solar cooking with our Astronomy team at the Sundial, or stop by the Expedition Center for more eco-friendly discoveries. Plus, don’t miss the Youth Education department’s live animal encounters in Glassell Hall.
For questions, please contact Sami Mesarwi at smesarwi@hmns.org or (281) 684-0430.
About Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.
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