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.
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.
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.
H1
Into Panel
Intro Panel
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.
H3
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.
H4
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.
H5
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
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.
H7
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
habitat of flight
Habitat of Flight
Temporarily closed
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.
H9
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.
H10
Sign of the Dragonfly
Sign of the Dragonfly
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.
H11
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.
H12
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
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
Where will Habitat be?
Habitat will be installed in the Loom House garden, Treetop Outpost, the Nature Walk, and in Civil War Journey. A map of Habitat installations will be available for guests.
Is Habitat included with admission?
Habitat is included with Conner Prairie general admission and is open any time our outdoor grounds are open.
Who created Habitat?
Habitat was developed by Smithsonian Gardens and made available as a traveling exhibit by the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition Service. Conner Prairie will be creating additional content and activities.
Is Habitat wheelchair-accessible?
Some Habitat installations are more wheelchair-accessible than others. Installations on our Nature Walk, a steep, wooded, gravel path, are not wheelchair-accessible currently.
About the Artist
Scott Shoemaker
Boxx The Arist
Lisa Elliott
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.
Boxx The Arist
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.
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.
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.
Boxx The Arist
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.
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
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