LIFE ON THE ALPINE TUNDRA EXHIBIT TO BE UNVEILED AT MOUNT WASHINGTON OBSERVATORY’S WEATHER DISCOVERY CENTER OP EN HOUSE & RIBBON CUTTING EVENT

A special presentation about the Alpine Zone will take place prior to the exhibit ribbon cutting

North Conway, NH – February 12, 2020 – The Mount Washington Observatory will unveil a new special exhibit Discovering Life on the Alpine Tundra in the Weather Discovery Center in downtown North Conway, New Hampshire at an Open House & Ribbon Cutting event taking place on Monday, February 17, 2020.

The Open House is a free event taking place from 5:00pm-7:00pm and will feature a special presentation from Weather Observer & Education Specialist Ian Bailey discussing Mount Washington’s Alpine Zone prior to the Ribbon Cutting and viewing of the exhibit.

Bailey’s program will highlight how Mount Washington’s infamous weather and climate shape the living environment at and above treeline. This program will feature a live connection to the Observatory’s mountaintop weather station with stunning video and photography.

The Discovering Life on the Alpine Tundra exhibit is a virtual educational adventure up the tallest peak in the Northeast, Mount Washington, via a “snowcat” ride traveling the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Visitors are invited to learn about the journey to the summit, the unique flora & fauna found above tree-line as well as the geology and climate around Mount Washington.

“Commuting to the summit of Mount Washington each week, year round, provides us a unique opportunity to experience the mountain in every light and we hope this exhibit can provide guests a sense of this experience and some insight into the incredibly fragile and special environment that is our backyard,” says Observatory Director of Science & Education Brian Fitzgerald.

Visitors will experience a wide-angle view (more than 180 degrees) across three large-format angled screens inside a snowcat cockpit-inspired theater. The snowcat video experience is roughly 3 ½ minutes in length, and is narrated by local radio personality and the WMWV Morning Weather Show host Roy Prescott.

The exhibit will relay the important message that Mount Washington and the Presidential Range within the White Mountains represent a significant percentage of the overall alpine tundra environment that can be found in the Northeastern United States. These are precious areas that need continued protection, otherwise they are easily damaged by human development and impacts.

This exhibit was made possible due to the generous support of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Dorr Foundation, McIninch Foundation, Goldberg Charitable Trust and HAM Charitable Foundation. With support from: Tom Guilmette, Videographer; Roy Prescott, Narrator; Doug Weihrauch, Alpine Ecologist, Appalachian Mountain Club; Mt. Washington Auto Road; Mount Washington State Park.

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