PUBLIC DEDICATION FOR THE

JOHN DENVER NATURE EXHIBIT

Saturday, April 27^th, 2:00 p.m.

Rain or Shine

At the Austin Nature Center

301 Nature Center Drive

Austin, Texas

The event is free and everyone is invited.

Schedule of events

Events will include environmental displays and information, an on-site silent auction, John's music, media displays, display of a portion of the John Denver Peace Cloth, an educational component featuring Jonah the redtailed hawk, live musical performances, and a butterfly release. Visitors will be given the opportunity to participate in leaving remembrances at the memorial site.

We encourage visitors to come early. There are many activities and displays to visit. You'll want to spend time viewing the memorial. The Nature Center is in the heart of a nature preserve, and there are hiking trails to enjoy. The center opens at 10:00 a.m.

As you approach the Nature Center on the trail that leads from the parking area, you will be struck by how large yet secluded this preserve is, located as it is near the heart of Downtown Austin.

The first thing you will see as you near the Visitor Center will be a portion of the John Denver Peace Cloth displayed in a pretty glen. Take some time to walk among the panels and think of the diverse peoples who have contributed pieces of cloth, all in honor of the message and vision of John Denver. The Peace Cloth is a collection of small patches of cloth from people all over the globe, stitched into larger panels. This portion was part of a project that grew into an enormous quilt that ultimately became large enough to wrap around the United Nations building in September 2000 in celebration of World Peace Day.

As you enter the building complex, visit the rooms with displays and information, view the videos and slide shows, listen to John's voice. You will be able to view the silent auction items at this point and place your bid(s). The auction will close at the end of the day's activities.

Continue onward to the exhibits, walk the pond trail, read the stories of the animals that find sanctuary here. Then head over to the Birds of Prey Sanctuary to visit the raptors and to view the memorial.

If you want to take a hike within the preserve before the ceremonies, pass through the Birds of Prey Sanctuary to the trail head on the other side. One trail crosses the creek several times taking you through restful woods. Another leads you below cliffs that tower overhead, eventually taking you atop for a view from above.

Be sure to arrive back at the building complex by 2:00 p.m., because that is when the dedication ceremonies will begin. There will be live performances of John's music by several performers, including some songs by John Adams. Presentation of the "keys" to the Austin Nature and Science Center director will be made as they officially take over the stewardship of this working memorial.

Finally, we will adjourn to the glen and the Peace Cloth for a release of native butterflies. These Painted Lady butterflies are donated by a group of Pre-K school children who will have raised them from larvae. A recording of John singing, "Catch Another Butterfly" will be played during the release. Watch with wonder as these beautiful ladies dance about you to the sound of John's beautiful voice. A Native American legend has it that if you whisper a secret to a butterfly or tell it your prayers, it will carry your words to the Great Spirit where they will become a part of the Great Spirit's heart. Perhaps you will send your message to John in this way, on shimmering wings.

RSVP

Help us plan for the volume of people who will attend. Please email us at aspenglo@texas.net with the number of people in your party. Also let us know if you have any special needs which need addressing or if you need directions to handicap parking. The trail to the Memorial involves a short hike from the parking area, a portion of which is uphill.

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