NU State Museum opens new exhibition on plants, pollinators

Visitors to the University of Nebraska State Museum-Morrill Hall can now explore the secret lives of pollinators and the plants that depend on them for survival in Operation Pollination. The museum’s newest exhibition will remain open through May.

“Often when people think of pollination, they think of bees, but a variety of other insects and mammals are also pollinators,” said Susan Weller, director of the NU State Museum. “Operation Pollination will allow our guests to explore the process of pollination in a fun and engaging manner.”

The exhibition combines hands-on activities, digital stations and displays to help visitors better understand how pollination happens, as well as the plants and creatures involved. Curation and production of the exhibition included Nebraska Extension faculty, local nature experts, museum educators, the museum exhibits department and local science writers. Several Husker students also participated in production through internships with the exhibits department.

“Operation Pollination is an excellent illustration of collaboration among teams,” Weller said. “Because of the time and talents provided by so many experts, our visitors will enjoy a first-rate science exhibit. Another plus is that UNL student interns gained real-life experience in the process of producing an exhibit from concept to construction.”

Operation Pollination, which is included with museum admission, can be found on the third floor of Morrill Hall. The exhibition was made possible with the support of the Dillon Foundation, Len Dickinson and Jule Goeller, and the Perry and Latta Branch Memorial Fund. The exhibition was curated by Doug Golick and Judy Wu-Smart with the Department of Entomology; Chris Helzer with The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska; and M.J. Paulsen and Weller with the NU State Museum.