New waterfowl exhibit opens at WWCC

An exhibit titled “Waterfowl/WOW!” recently opened in the Natural History Museum at Western Wyoming Community College.

The exhibit, which features live mounts of swans, cranes, geese, ducks and upland game birds, is designed and installed by Dave Mead, Exhibits Coordinator at the Sweetwater County Museum, and Will Clark, WWCC Biology Professor.

The waterfowl on display are part of a large collection of mounted birds donated to WWCC by Ray Johnson of Helena, Mont. Johnson, a taxidermist, visited the college’s Wildlife Museum and found it so impressive that he decided to gift it with his collection, according to David Tate, WWCC community relations director.

“A collection this complete is rare at the university level. At the community college level, it is just another aspect that sets Western apart from the rest,” Clark said.

“Students have the opportunity to examine specimens of all huntable waterfowl in North America.” Mead said.

“To have a great collection like this for display is a museum exhibit designer’s dream,” Mead said.

“Waterfowl/NOW!” is developed to accompany a Smithsonian traveling exhibit titled “Water/Ways” that is being installed next week in the college’s gallery next to the pendulum.

“Water/Ways” is produced by the Smithsonian’s Museums on Main Street program and is being brought to WWCC by the Wyoming Humanities Council and the Sweetwater County Museum. Both exhibits will be open following a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. on June 27, and free thereafter for public viewing during the next six weeks.