| Want to know more about Darwin? |
| There is lots more information for the public, schools and event organizers on www.darwin200.org about Darwin’s life and works including useful websites. |
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| Looking for an event near you? |
| If you'd like to find out more, visit the Partners and Events pages at www.darwin200.org to find out about the growing number of activities you can take part in around the UK. Already over 150 exhibitions, talks, family events and performances in zoos, museums, galleries and public spaces are listed. |
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| Why Darwin and Zoos? |
| BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is a conservation, education and scientific wildlife charity, and also the professional organization representing the zoo and aquarium community. |
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| Darwin was one of many pioneering Victorian scientists and explorers who would, on his Beagle journey, have seen some of the animals and habitats that zoos now work to conserve. He also visited London Zoo frequently to observe and research the animals there, even conducting rudimentary experiments with music, and had a passionate interest in marine biology at a time when aquariums were being developed at homes and in zoos. |
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| BIAZA zoos from Scotland to Cornwall and aquariums such as The Deep in Hull plan to celebrate Darwin's bicentenary in a range of innovative ways. This might involve a trail or a talk, an event or an exhibition to connect the zoo or aquarium visitor of today with Charles Darwin's life and fascinating Victorian times, his achievements and his legacy for the future. |
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| Which zoos are involved? |
| Check here for partners and events page, along with the BIAZA website for details during the year. |
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| For example: |
| Edinburgh Zoo (in the city where Darwin studied medicine at the university and explored his passion for marine biology along the coastline) is celebrating its own 100th anniversary in 2009 too! The Zoo will be running a full programme of celebrations around the zoo on the theme of evolution from 1 July 2008. Trails, workshops and talks are planned during 2008-9 including a Darwin's life trail on his 200th birthday on 12 February 2009, a book called Darwin in Stamps published with Newquay Zoo and an evening talk from Dr Phil Stone from the British Geological Survey. |
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| Newquay Zoo is working with its partners at Falmouth Art Gallery to run four Darwin 200 exhibitions, Voyages of Discovery, Species, A Day at The Zoo and Expressions throughout 2009. Exhibitions will feature the work of staff photographers as well as John Dyer. |
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| John Dyers web page |
Newquay Zoo’s official Darwin200 artist in residence. |
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| This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Falmouth in Cornwall is where Darwin stepped off the HMS Beagle after five years away from home, where some of the Beagle’s crew lived, and where many of the scientific specimens Darwin collected or received would have returned through the Mail Packets. At the Zoo there will also be a Darwin Big Beard Birthday Bash weekend in February, as well as a family activity trail and plant trail throughout the year. The Plymouth setting off point for the Beagle voyage is marked through here. |
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| Many zoos will continue Darwin’s legacy of engaging the public with science through the British Association’s National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) March 2009. The theme of Darwin and ‘Change’ is also part of the many events to be listed on the events pages of The British Association’s website. |
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| Zoos and Aquariums wishing to become involved should contact Katie Edwards at the Natural History Museum to register themselves and their events as a Darwin200 partner. |
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