Foliage Festival Begins at Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History in Halifax is celebrating Nova Scotia's most colourful time of year with a Foliage Festival. The festival begins Tuesday, Sept. 19, with an exhibit of foliage photos by award-winning photographer Stephen Patterson.

Mr. Patterson is well-known throughout Canada for his breathtaking photographs of nature. The exhibit, Foliage Photos, presents more than 25 images that capture the beauty and magic of autumn. In this display, the artist has captured wonderful colour from Yarmouth to the Cape Breton Highlands.

The Foliage Festival continues into late October with programs and events planned for the whole family. On Monday, Oct. 9, the museum will offer an Animal Leaf Workshop for children. Mr. Patterson will present an illustrated talk on fall photography on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, museum botanists will lead a Fall Colours Walk at Uniacke Estate Museum Park in Mount Uniacke, and will also host a Mushroom Meander on Sunday, Oct. 22.

"We try to present programs that help the public celebrate and experience fall," says Martha Devanney, curator of public programming. "Programs like the provincial Leaf Watch, and talks and walks given by experts, provide unique opportunities to better understand and enjoy our natural world."

More information is available on the museum's website at nature.museum.gov.ns.ca . People who want to follow the progress of the leaves changing colour can contact the toll-free Leaf Watch line at 1-877-353-LEAF (5323).