A couple of weeks later, I had the opportunity to attend an AZA training course called "Conservation Education: Effective Program Design." As an added bonus, this course was held at the Oglebay Zoo in Wheeling WV, my home town!! So I got to stay with my parents. Furthermore, this class happened to correspond with my mom's birthday. I flew in to Pittsburgh on her b-day, Groundhogs Day, and my sisters came into to town. First we went to the "Body Exhibit" at the Pittsburgh Science Center, which was both sickening and fascinating. I was really shocked by the cancer ridden lungs, as others obviously were as seen by the large trashcan full of abandoned cigarette packs.

Next we went to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for a special exhibit by Dale Chihuly, who is world renowned for his exquisite blown glass sculptures. His remarkable works of art were integrated with the existing, diverse foliage. As I took well over 120 photos here, I will attempt to pick some of the best.



As we entered Phipps, we received a dazzling welcome from the "Goldenrod, Teal, and Citron Chandelier," which is over 12ft tall, suspended from the entry ceiling.