Down and dirty at Natural History Museum

Kids love dirt. So does the Natural History Museum, only they call it “soil.” On Sunday, Feb. 27, you and your family can get your hands dirty learning about the science of soil and its inhabitants at “Sustainable Sundays,” an educational program that unites the public with local conservation groups.

This week’s event, “The Dirt on Soil,” runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will include numerous activities and presentations. Among the offerings:

• Making sculptures of clay and seeds with the Children’s Nature Institute
• Discovering how people around the world use soil to build their homes, and building your own model home with Kleiwerks International
• Learning how to use seed bombs to garden in hard-to-reach places with Guerilla Gardening, and taking home a seed bomb of your own
• Learning how to transplant with Master Gardeners, and taking home your own seedling
• Enjoying a presentation on worms with the L.A. County Department of Public Works
• Observing live pillbugs with the Marine Biodiversity Center
• Finding out from the TreePeople how to transplant trees

Mycologist Florence Nishida will teach “Mushrooms 101″ from 2 to 3 p.m. She will answer all your burning fungus questions, and will bring a selection of recently collected mushrooms to exhibit. Learn how to discern which mushrooms are safe to eat, and find out about their important role in the ecosystem.

The Museum will screen the appropriately-titled “Dirt! The Movie” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Later in the afternoon, museum staff will introduce you to tortoises and other animals that make their homes in the soil. Microscopes will be arranged for you to compare different types of soil up close.

The program is free with the price of admission, which varies based on age. Adults pay $9, kids aged 5 to 12 pay $6.50, and children under 4 are free. Seniors and students are admitted at the discounted rate of $6.50. The Museum is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90007.

Posted 2/24/11