Ithaca, N.Y. — You say you want an evolution? You’ll find

it in Ithaca, Feb 9-13, as the community celebrates the

birth of Charles Darwin.


Leading scientists, researchers and scholars from Cornell

University, the Paleontological Research Institution’s

Museum of the Earth and Ithaca College collaborated on

Ithaca’s Darwin Day Weekend events, honoring the

scientific legacy of a man who remains controversial 150

years after the publication of his work, “Origin of the

Species.”


“Judging by the recent debate over ‘intelligent design,’

Charles Darwin and the science he represents remain

misunderstood even today,” said Warren Allmon, director of

the Paleontological Research Institution and adjunct

associate professor at Cornell. "By collaborating on this

celebration we are trying to educate the public about

evolution and why it matters."


Darwin Day Weekend events range from hard science, to

family fun, to film screenings. Researchers and armchair

scientists are invited to panel discussions on

evolutionary biology. Families can explore evolution at

the Museum of the Earth in hands-on games and

demonstrations comparing real fossils and living animals.

Science educators can find tools for positive discourse in

a lecture on evolution and creationism in the public

schools. And filmgoers will enjoy screenings that include

a debut documentary on intelligent design, along with a

showing of the 1960 courtroom classic, “Inherit the Wind.”

For schedules, visit www.museumoftheearth.org.


Area hotels and B&Bs are supporting the event with Darwin

Day Weekend packages that include free event admission,

guided tours, and complimentary commemorative items.

Details are available at VisitIthaca.com.


Located in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, less than a

day’s drive from everywhere in the metro Northeast, Ithaca

is a progressive community renowned for breathtaking gorge

waterfalls, outstanding recreation, and world-class

thinking. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College,

it was recently named America’s number-one emerging city

by "Cities Ranked and Rated." As the designated tourism

promotion agency for Ithaca and surrounding Tompkins

County, the Ithaca/Tompkins CVB provides information on

area lodging, dining and activities to more than 1 million

travelers annually.


Contact:

Bruce Stoff, Marketing Communications Mgr.

Ithaca/Tompkins Convention & Visitors Bureau

(607) 272-1313

Bruce@VisitIthaca.com



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