Habitat

Habitats provide homes for all living things, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree. The exhibition Habitat explores the critical need for varied habitats, how interconnected and fragile they are, and what we can do to protect them. The experience showcases the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie.

Habitat was developed by Smithsonian Gardens and is made available by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

2017 11 14 DraftHabitatMark
Smithsonian site and gardens logos
2017 11 14 DraftHabitatMark

Habitats provide homes for all living things, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree. The exhibition Habitat explores the critical need for varied habitats, how interconnected and fragile they are, and what we can do to protect them. The experience showcases the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie.

Habitat was developed by Smithsonian Gardens and is made available by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

Smithsonian site and gardens logos

Discover Habitat's Locations:

William Conner House
Treetop Outpost
1863 Civil War Journey

H1

Homes

Homes

Homes encourages homeowners and gardeners to look at their gardens as more than a pretty place. Embrace a little messiness and a home garden can become a rich habitat for wildlife.

H2

bug B&B

Bug B&B


Bug B&B focuses on restoring habitats for beneficial insects including pollinators. Humans can help build and restore habitats for beneficial wildlife. Learn more about the artist Boxx.

H3

key to the Forest

Key to the Forest

Key to the Forest illustrates how a single species can play a critical role in the health of an ecosystem. Without these keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

H4

Life Underground

Life Underground

Life Underground shines a light on mushrooms and the hidden relationships under our feet that support healthy habitats. A successful habitat is a fragile, often invisible, interconnection between species, and needs human protection.

H5

Biomes

Biomes

Plants and animals have adapted to survive in specific Biomes (communities of plants and animals occupying a major habitat like a forest). Their interconnected relationships keep ecosystems in balance.

H6

Nests

Nests

image of nests for habitat Nests highlights a variety of nests as diverse as the birds that build them. Nests reflect the resources available in a habitat and the needs of the home builder.

H7

habitat of flight

Habitat of Flight

Habitat of flight explores the importance of nature to the science of flight. Human innovation has been inspired to take to the skies. Learn more about the artist Scott Shoemaker.

H8

Dead Wood is Life

Deadwood is Life

Dead wood is a fragile, crucial habitat that is home to diverse species. Through interconnected sustainable ecosystems, these species need human protection.

H9

Sign of the Dragonfly

Sign of the Dragonfly

Recycled Dragonfly sculptures

Sign of the Dragonfly showcases dragonflies as an indicator species which biologists and conservation managers can use to judge the health of an environment. Indicator species demonstrate the interconnectivity of species within habitats. Learn more about the artist Lisa Elliott.

H10

Meadows & Monarchs

Meadows & Monarchs

Meadows & Monarchs presents examples of how native plants can support biodiversity. Protecting and cultivating local native plants are essential to maintaining habitats.

H11

Foundations of the sea

Foundations of the Sea

Foundations of the Sea focuses on corals as a foundational species that creates habitats for countless marine creatures. Foundation species are fundamental to the structure and resilience of habitats.

H1

Homes

Homes

Homes encourages homeowners and gardeners to look at their gardens as more than a pretty place. Embrace a little messiness and a home garden can become a rich habitat for wildlife.

H7

Habitat of Flight

Habitat of Flight

Habitat of Flight explores the importance of nature to the science of flight. Human innovation has been inspired to take to the skies. Learn more about the artist Scott Shoemaker.

H10

Meadows and Monarchs

Meadows & Monarchs

Meadows & Monarchs presents examples of how native plants can support biodiversity. Protecting and cultivating local native plants are essential to maintaining habitats.

H4

Life underground

Life Underground

Life Underground shines a light on mushrooms and the hidden relationships under our feet that support healthy habitats. A successful habitat is a fragile, often invisible, interconnection between species, and needs human protection.

H6

Nests

Nests

Nests highlights a variety of nests as diverse as the birds that build them. Nests reflect the resources available in a habitat and the needs of the home builder.

H8

Deadwood is Life

Deadwood is Life

Dead wood is a fragile, crucial habitat that is home to diverse species. Through interconnected sustainable ecosystems, these species need human protection.

H3

Key to the Forest

Key to the Forest

Key to the Forest illustrates how a single species can play a critical role in the health of an ecosystem. Without these keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.

H11

Foundations of the Sea

Foundations of the Sea

Foundations of the Sea focuses on corals as a foundational species that creates habitats for countless marine creatures. Foundation species are fundamental to the structure and resilience of habitats.

H5

Biomes

Biomes

Plants and animals have adapted to survive in specific Biomes (communities of plants and animals occupying a major habitat like a forest). Their interconnected relationships keep ecosystems in balance.

H2

Bug B&B

Bug B&B

Bug B&B focuses on restoring habitats for beneficial insects including pollinators. Humans can help build and restore habitats for beneficial wildlife. Learn more about the artist Boxx.

H9

Sign of the Dragonfly

Sign of the Dragonfly

Recycled Dragonfly sculptures

Sign of the Dragonfly showcases dragonflies as an indicator species which biologists and conservation managers can use to judge the health of an environment. Indicator species demonstrate the interconnectivity of species within habitats. Learn more about the artist Lisa Elliott.

FAQ

About the Artist

Photo of Scott Shoemaker

Scott Shoemaker artist of Habitat of Flight:

I love to paint, I love animals and I work for the zoo. I have been painting in acrylics for over 40 years. I also enjoy pen and ink, watercolor and colored pencils. My focus for many years has been on wildlife. Working at the zoo has afforded me many wonderful subjects in recent years. Some of my favorite subjects are cheetahs, tigers and red pandas. I enjoy camping, biking, bird watching and a good mystery. I am currently working on a children's book about a mighty tiny piney (red squirrel) that entertains us out of our kitchen window.

Photo of Boxx the artist

Boxx artist of Bug B&B:

Boxx the artist synthesizes interactive art through paintings, digital art, and installations. She is an Indianapolis based full-time visual artist practicing for approximately 5 years professionally, from Gary, Indiana.

Boxx's visual artwork uses acrylic, digital, mixed mediums, and public installations to capture different elements of life from the African diaspora promoting health, wealth, wellness, and celebrating Blackness.

Learn More about the artist.

LisaCollierDragonfly22A

Lisa Elliott artist of Sign of the Dragonfly:

Lisa Elliott is a Hoosier who is familiar with Indiana’s natural landscapes. Having grown up as an urban dweller, she enjoyed weekend adventures to Indiana State Parks, where her love of the outdoors grew tremendously. Her formal education encompassed studies in economics, finance, French, and education. Yet throughout her life, Lisa has always been fascinated by images and how the world is represented through the eyes of others. Over time, she was attracted to creating land art to draw attention to the beauty in natural and urban settings.

CONNER PRAIRIE IS ANNOUNCING Habitat. LEARN MORE THROUGH OUR PRESS RELEASES AND BLOGS

People experiencing Habitat

Habitat provides nature experience in a new way

August 24, 2022

One of the coolest things about working at Conner Prairie is being able to experience and enjoy nature daily. I love both stopping to look at the tiniest wildflowers and…

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The impact of our new Smithsonian-affiliated exhibits

July 25, 2022

A Q+A with Dr. Richard Kurin Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, focuses on strategic direction, institutional partnerships, public representation, philanthropic support and special initiatives at the Smithsonian.…

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bird statue at habitat

Conner Prairie Announces New Outdoor Exhibit Habitat to Encourage Exploration and Discovery

July 15, 2022

The new exhibit is a part of a collaboration with Smithsonian Gardens and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service FISHERS, Ind. (July 9, 2022) – Indiana living history museum, Conner…

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